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God is a dick. (mander.xyz)

submitted 3 weeks ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/science_memes@mander.xyz

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[-] SparroHawc@lemm.ee 1 points 3 weeks ago

The usefulness of a fusion engine as a weapon is directly correlated to its efficiency.

[-] StJohnMcCrae@slrpnk.net 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

It doesn't really matter what kind of engine it is if it's going fast enough.

Anything with enough mass and acceleration to move a human being from planet to planet in a reasonable timeframe has the kinetic energy required to wipe out a city. Once you start reaching relativistic speeds, you can take out entire planets by simply not slowing down on approach.

[-] SparroHawc@lemm.ee 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Although you are correct, this destroys the engine.

A good, efficient fusion engine just needs to point the exhaust end towards the enemy and the hyper-accelerated particles will punch a hole through the target for you. And then you point at the next target, etc. etc.

Also, it's a butchered quote from Larry Niven's Known Space books, referred to as the "Kzinti Lesson" - because the Kzinti thought humanity was unarmed and helpless until they discovered that humans are really good at improvising weapons.