I just met George Dyson, the man from "The Starship and The Canoe"

[Mara Steele]

(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060910305/qid=1092626134/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-7283378-7064633?v=glance&s=books)

...son of Freeman Dyson (famous astrophysicist), and author of "Darwin Among The Machines".

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0738200301/qid=1092626062/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-7283378-7064633?v=glance&s=books&n=507846


Ask me anything!! I'm quite starstruck, at the moment.

[Mara Steele]

1. Well, something has called me away from the computer...

Anything that you ask me, assuming anyone besides me thinks this man is totally AWESOME, will have to be answered tomorrow!

See you all later!

M.S.

[Mara Steele]

2. kick

One day later, I'm back at the computer!

Ask me anything you want to know about this fabulous, genius of a man...

[southpaw]

3. Isn't Freeman Dyson the one who proposed the Dyson Sphere

which was altered by Larry Niven for Ringworld?

[Mara Steele]

4. Yes, that is correct!

http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/dysonFAQ.html

What is a Dyson Sphere? The Dyson sphere (or Dyson shell) was originally proposed in 1959 by the astronomer Freeman Dyson in "Search for Artificial Stellar Sources of Infrared Radiation" in Science as a way for an advanced civilisation to utilise all of the energy radiated by their sun. It is an artificial sphere the size of an planetary orbit. The sphere would consist of a shell of solar collectors or habitats around the star, so that all (or at least a significant amount) energy will hit a receiving surface where it can be used. This would create a huge living space and gather enormous amounts of energy.

A Dyson sphere in the solar system, with a radius of one AU would have a surface area of at least 2.72e17 km^2, around 600 million times the surface area of the Earth. The sun has a energy output of around 4e26 W, of which most would be available to do useful work.
<snip>

I HIGHLY recommend the 1970's counter-cultural classic "The Starship and The Canoe" for a peek into the minds of father and son.

[JohnKleeb]

5. always nice to meet someone you admire isnt it Mara

BTW could you be a pal and help me out in the girls volleyball vs guys swimming. Ive developed maleaphobia :scared:, men, men, men.

[Mara Steele]

6. Well, DUH!!

We all know the answer to that one is BOOBIES, right?? :evilgrin:

And that's something George and Freeman Dyson would both probably agree on, as well!

:D

[JohnKleeb]

7. did you vote?

You got good sense Mara but I am starting to get Maleaphobia now, its scary :scared:, I am afraid of men heh.

[Mara Steele]

8. Of course,

What, you are afraid of men's naked bodies or their somewhat predatory and exploitative sexuality, that I happen to share?

:evilgrin:

[JohnKleeb]

10. I am afraid of that yeah

Loving me the pipes right now though, its nice for a change.

[Mara Steele]

12. The bagpipes?

:shrug:

[Mara Steele]

9. kick,

Can't believe I'm the only fan on the boards!

...Guess that just means more of him for myself, huh?

:D

[Mara Steele]

11. kick,

One last kick for a modern day Thoreau, an original thinker, and a genuine, caring person.

He lives in my adopted hometown, by the way. Bellingham,WA, that's right. Has a studio on the waterfront.

What a sweetie!

:loveya:

[EstimatedProphet]

13. Freeman Dyson is someone I would have liked to meet

Not familiar with George though
This is pretty rarified stuff...

[Mara Steele]

14. Freeman Dyson is still around, actually...

He's 80 and going strong. He still gives talks at local, and probably other, universities.

You should search his name, & you might find a schedule of appearances.

[EstimatedProphet]

15. OK

I thought I had heard that he died a few years ago. Didn't realize. Maybe I will still get the chance after all!