Two interesting things about starships

They don’t exist. And.

Apr 5, 2024

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There are two interesting things about starships

1. they don’t exist

2. they never will exist

Either we’re stuck at around 2% to 5% of lightspeed, or we’re awaiting a major paradigm shift in the sciences that will make travelling to other stars in a metal hulled space boat about as realistic as flying in a chariot of the gods.

But that’s ok, because we don’t love the starship as a realistic depicition of space travel.

In this weekend’s video essay I chart the genealogy of the starship, how the idea was born, how it has changed, and what it means to us today.

WARNING : contains a LOT of warp speed and hyperspace effects

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Damien Walter
Damien Walter

Written by Damien Walter

I tell stories about the future, technology and culture. Published by The Guardian, WIRED, BBC etc.

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