OT: Relativity misunderstood

[Wes Groleau <wwgrol@ftw.rsc.raytheon.com>]

> from epoch XXX" then no one will be early (if no one travels at too relativistic
> speeds).  .....

(To get a little off-topic)

The pop culture notion that you can leave earth
and return at near the speed of light, and find
your great-great-great-grandchildren older than
you is a misconception.

1. Special Relativity applies to two observers
   moving at an unchanging rate of speed relative
   to each other.  If you leave and return, your
   velocity must change.

2. IF you meet the conditions of special relativity,
   the theory predicts that EACH observer will see
   the OTHER'S clock as faster by the same amount.
   So if you somehow found a way to get back together
   in spite of the constant relative velocity condition,
   you would say, "Hey, your clock is several Megaseconds
   fast." and he/she would respond, "No, YOUR clock is 
   several Megaseconds fast."

Unfortunately, "pop culture" includes many sci-fi writers
and even several science NON-fiction writers, who keep
perpetuating this thing like an urban legend.

Even worse is the notion that black holes are the answer
to interstellar travel.

-- 
Wes Groleau
http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~wgroleau