Research Proposal #3

Implications of Breaking the Light Speed Barrier

Introduction

If Light speed is achieved by mankind, what are the social, political and economic implications it will have on the world? 

It has always been in the minds of the scientists that light speed is achievable in the near future. There are sci-fi movies and TV series that support this prediction. It will be ,without doubt, one of the greatest achievements of man kind if the barrier can be broken. Some believe its impossible, but 50 years ago mobile phones were believed to be mere sci-fi gadgets.

In this research I wish to look into the after effects of achieving light speed. For an example, after the telephone was invented the world of communication changed rapidly into what we have now. It also effected our day to day life and is now a part of it. In this research I will be looking in to possible results of breaking the light speed barrier and how it will change the world. The effects are mostly positive considering the benefits of fast transportation, but there is a possibility humans might find a way of destruction through this as we have managed to do it in our past. Nuclear Energy can be given as an example.

Background

I have always been interested in Sci-Fi movies such as StarTrek, Andromeda etc. These fictions always made me think of the reality that awaits us in the future. It will not be accurate as the fictions predict but it will be similar. One of the main interests for me has been space travel; it takes 8 mints for sunlight to reach earth and it takes around 6 hours to reach Pluto. Theoretically, if light speed is achieved, a spaceship can travel to planets such as Pluto within hours. This opens up a wide scope of possibilities to man.

We will be able to travel easily to other planets to do scientific research such as search for life. The missions would take only hours instead of months and years. We would be able to mine for minerals from asteroids,moons and planets. It would also be a possibility for us to terraform other planets to change the atmosphere to sustain life. 

All of these new events would change our economy, political boundaries and social life in unthinkable ways. Imagine talking to your uncle on skype who is in a mining camp in the asteroid belt.

My initial presearching on this topic was a failure because I could not find any articles or books that directly relate to this research. 

Significance

I believe that it is important that we understand all or most of the side effects of a technology before going large about it. The manhattan project was a huge step forward in science and was suppose to shed light to many possibilities towards the benefit of man kind. The first actual application of the technology killed almost 200,000 people instantly, vaporizing them to dust.

As far as scientist can see, achieving light speed does not have ramifications deadly as such of an atomic bomb, but it can effect the economy, politics and social life in many ways.

Mining an asteroid that has mineral such as platinum will enable us to import tons of plutonium to earth. This would change the value of mineral drastically in the market. This will be the same for most of the mining minerals and the effects this would have on the global market would be unpredictable.

Another theoretical application would be the side effects of travelling in light speed. According to the theory of relativity a person traveling at light speed would age slowly than a person living on earth. 

It is important that the society is aware of theories as such these before we openly accept the benefits of the speed of light.

Methodology

As I mentioned earlier my initial presearching was a failure because I could not find any scholarly or popular source that directly contributes to my research. Then I had to approach the topic from different perspectives. I thought of the possible steps we would take if the light speed technology was achieved, such as asteroid mining, terraforming etc. I did presearching on those theoretical concepts so that I can find information to support my research. It has been successful as I found a significant amount of information for the presearching process.

After I evaluate all the sources I will be producing my own outcome of the research.

Potential Setbacks

My research is based on a theoretical idea of a technology which some argue to be impossible. The situation I speak of is unrealistic at the moment. So the information available to me is limited. Even the information that is available to me sometimes take opposite stands that have created arguments in the scientific community. This has made the research very difficult, still just like every brainstorming mind in the scientific community I believe I can speak my own words with the facts that I collect.

References

Sharlanov, Gocho V. "The Speed Of Light And Uncertainty Principle Of The Macro-World." Applied Physics Research 4.4 (2012): 118-125. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.

Link

This articles describes the theory of relativity and the effect it has in time on the moving object. This will be used to describe the aging process of a human traveling at light speed.

BELFIORE, MICHAEL. "How To Mine An Asteroid." Popular Mechanics 189.8 (2012): 50-55. MasterFILE Elite. Web. 5 Apr. 2013. 

Link

This articles describes the process of mining an asteroid and effects of selling them on the open market. This shows the ramifications of Asteroid Mining.

Geggel, Laura, Katie Peek, and Miriam Kramer. "Space Metal." Popular Science 281.5 (2012): 60-61. Health Source - Consumer Edition. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.

Link

This article shows a graphical view of minerals in an asteroid that can be used in my argument above.

"Making Planets People-Friendly." Futurist 30.2 (1996): 45. Sociological Collection. Web. 6 Apr. 2013.

Link

This article describes the theoretical concept of terraforming which I have mentioned in the article.

Yahoo Answers
Link
The benefits of traveling at light speed