THE FUTURE OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
There is nothing so big nor so crazy that one out of a million
technological societies may not feel itself driven to do,
provided it is physically possible.
-FREEMAN DYSON
Destiny is not a matter of chance-it is a matter of choice. It is not a
thing to be waited for-it is a thing to be achieved.
-WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
Are there truths that will be forever beyond our grasp? Are there realms
of knowledge that will be outside the capabilities of even an advanced
civilization? Of all the technologies analyzed so far, only perpetual motion machines and precognition fall into the category of Class III impossibilities. Are there other technologies that are similarly impossible?
Pure mathematics abounds in theorems showing that certain
things are truly impossible. One simple example is that it is impossible to trisect an angle using only a compass and ruler; this was proven
back in 1837.
Even in simple systems such as arithmetic there are impossibili-
There is nothing so big nor so crazy that one out of a million
technological societies may not feel itself driven to do,
provided it is physically possible.
-FREEMAN DYSON
Destiny is not a matter of chance-it is a matter of choice. It is not a
thing to be waited for-it is a thing to be achieved.
-WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
Are there truths that will be forever beyond our grasp? Are there realms
of knowledge that will be outside the capabilities of even an advanced
civilization? Of all the technologies analyzed so far, only perpetual motion machines and precognition fall into the category of Class III impossibilities. Are there other technologies that are similarly impossible?
Pure mathematics abounds in theorems showing that certain
things are truly impossible. One simple example is that it is impossible to trisect an angle using only a compass and ruler; this was proven
back in 1837.
Even in simple systems such as arithmetic there are impossibili-