Questions tagged [communication]
For questions relating to the exchange of ideas and information between beings.
335
questions
9
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5answers
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A light tower based communication system
I'm building a world with cities of extremely different technological capabilities. One has a monopoly on gunpowder and one has complete understanding of the magic system in the world.
The only ...
4
votes
4answers
427 views
Secure communications for the modern terrorist
This is my first post in this seemingly awesome forum.
I need some suggestions for mobile communications in my detective novel.
My story features a US police detective who is pitted against a group ...
15
votes
10answers
4k views
Is there any advantage to using a centralized hivemind?
Basically, there are 2 types of hiveminds: the common centralized and the uncommon distributed.
Centralized means that all units are extensions of the master entity (the badguy alien/robot ...
5
votes
2answers
115 views
Would sound shifts be severe enough for two dialects to be mutually unintelligible after 400 years of no verbal contact?
A group of English-speaking settlers travel to the Earth-like exoplanet of Rataan, which is 5 light years away. They board the generation ship Genesis that will reach Rataan in 200 years (0.25% of the ...
5
votes
1answer
68 views
How could the connections of a hivemind work to ensure it can't be jammed or tapped?
So, Armchair Chem is an evil corporation that has access to technology some consider unnaturally ahead of its time (the correct term is anachronistic, but whatever).
One such is the Replica Forces. A ...
1
vote
3answers
201 views
Intercontinental radio broadcasting in a post-apocalyptic world
I'm in the process of planning a post-apocalyptic novel. The gist of it is that the vast majority (99.9%+) of all humans simply disappeared from the face of the earth, or so it seems. The story ...
2
votes
2answers
154 views
I want my gryphons and birdfolk to have facial expressions. How?
So, Both birdfolk and gryphons have a head structure, similar to that of birds of prey, i.e: forward facing eyes. Sure, the color of the plumage and the beak-type can vary, but one problem is still ...
6
votes
2answers
87 views
A dragon, a gryphon and a tengu are flying toghether. How can they actually communicate?
One problem, I think writers often overlook, is the problem of flying creatures communicating with each other. I call this the "I can't hear you over the sound of the f@cking headwind!"
For my world, ...
0
votes
3answers
140 views
Semi-FTL quantum communications
I'm trying to come up with idea's that have some plausibility of sending information FTL.
So we can entangle particles together. When you measure them you influence them. If you measure one up the ...
5
votes
2answers
166 views
How to build a wormhole for FTL communication? [more Engineering than Physics question]
I came to SE WB while I was researching about space radiators for my sci-fi. I don't remember where exactly I found an answer to my question (Maybe? Idr) but I stunned with this site. You all looks ...
3
votes
3answers
176 views
Facial expressions for dragons?
Though this applies to lizardfolk and most creatures with a snout as well, I'm having trouble giving more facial expressions to dragons. Sure, they can wink, bare their fangs and laugh out loud and ...
10
votes
9answers
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How do you send out SOS in space if there is no absolute coordinate?
Imagine your spaceship encountered a gravitational anomaly and discovered that you are lost in space, your computer tells you that you are still inside the Milky Way galaxy but it cannot find the ...
5
votes
5answers
493 views
An effective way for interstellar communication?
Radio waves travel at the speed of light. Communication across vast interstellar distances is difficult due to weak signals and slow multi-year duration. I honestly imagine it to be like old times ...
2
votes
4answers
203 views
Are (near) instant data transfers feasible on an intergalactic scale?
Inspired partially by this comment on one of my answers, I got to thinking on what the quickest way to communicate would be on an intergalactic scale.
Say humans have colonised the galaxy, and use ...
3
votes
6answers
406 views
“Dragon amongst the sheep” How could a dragon avoid other animals registering him as a threat?
So, one of the less know abilities of dragons here is anivoice.
Anivoice allows dragons to communicate with birds, mammals, reptiles, dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
Of course, the information, relayed by ...
0
votes
6answers
439 views
Designing a safe way to share location of a secret ship
There is a secret ship and it is used by pirates as a recharging point. It has a nuclear reactor as a power source and other ships are using electricity. Let's assume in this world stealth technology ...
19
votes
13answers
3k views
Communicating the idea of danger to an unknown alien civilization
An alien automatic "beacon" tries to warn us about some imminent danger. It does so with launching a succession of large "veils" in front of their star so we can detect them via the transit method. ...
-2
votes
2answers
99 views
Inter-Planetary Communication [closed]
In my universe humans have colonized Phobos, Deimos, the moon, and Mars. However, they have no fast way to communicate with each other. I'm looking for a fast and possible way for humans to ...
6
votes
2answers
245 views
So, magic is based on swarm robotics and nanotechnology. How can I have Anti-magic fields?
So, at its core, magic is using a swarm of tiny (50-100 micrometers), naturally occuring robots to deliver substances to a given location and initiate chemical reactions that lead towards the desired ...
2
votes
1answer
94 views
What factors affect how easy it is to understand a foreign language?
I'm making a homebrew D&D world where, among other things, there is no "common" tongue. I've always found that concept frustratingly unrealistic. Yes, it prevents a lot of problems for adventurers,...
5
votes
3answers
201 views
Ways for advanced civilizations to mask communications on an interstellar / intergalactic scale
Say we have a civilization on the verge of becoming Type II, and are in the process of building a Dyson Sphere. They are aware that in the process, and especially after completion, there will be ...
4
votes
5answers
234 views
Could a language based on absolute pitch develop music?
For those that are arguing that without vocabularly, it isn't considered a language:
From Wikipedia: Language is a system that consists of the development, acquisition, maintenance and use of complex ...
4
votes
7answers
2k views
Why don't military spaceships use blockchain technology for ship log? [closed]
Straight to the point, cut out the backstory:
If blockchain is so secure and difficult to hack why don't the military spaceship use it for logging important and also non essential events, navigation, ...
2
votes
2answers
284 views
How to get attention when being shrunk to size of a flea? [closed]
One evening a group of teenagers got arrested for taunting a queen's guard and was brought to a temporary holding cell, all of a sudden a radioactive mosquito seemingly escaped from a nearby lab bites ...
11
votes
6answers
1k views
Could echolocated images be used for a language?
So I have this underwater echolocation using species. I'm wondering if they could have a language partly based on recreating sounds from returning echolocation waves to 'talk' images at each other. (I ...
4
votes
5answers
179 views
Is it realistic to have a sound-based naval identification system?
I have a number of sea-faring races in my fantasy story. The world is relatively mundane i.e. no magic and the races are somewhere the Graeco-Roman classical period in terms of their technology, give ...
2
votes
3answers
124 views
How would black market stock exchange in a communist country work?
I have an oppressive communist country which doesn't have any free speech, secret police, a new supreme leader every few decades and obviously, a planned economy.
But somehow, the country is still ...
4
votes
6answers
2k views
Is elastic wiring feasable?
Since wireless does not seem to be the ultra-high-broadband solution of the future (according to recent 5G cellular network results), wires seem the only way to go for a data-intensive future.
The ...
34
votes
18answers
5k views
Lighthouse Alternatives
In my pre-electricity world, fast communication is achieved by means of lighthouses, each being able to direct strong and precise beams of light towards distantly visible lighthouses.
However a ...
10
votes
9answers
695 views
Is a Language with Two Phonemes Feasible?
In one of my stories, I have a race that communicates using only two sounds: "O" and "U". This can be strung together like this:
...
4
votes
14answers
4k views
Is there a reliable way to hide/convey a message in vocal expressions (speech, song,…)
Assume Bob. Bob wants to convey the following, simple message (an example) to Cassandra:
Walk 5 feet forward, turn around 90 degrees clockwise, walk another 4 feet and dig 3 feet into the ground.
...
8
votes
3answers
413 views
If an Alcubierre Drive is possible, can you communicate FTL without a vessel?
Assume that an Alcubierre drive is feasible. In fact, assume that one has been built. A superluminal starship can propel itself through space by distorting space in front of it and behind it. However, ...
2
votes
2answers
120 views
What would be the ideal “language” to control a complex machine via a human body?
Please assume the following scenario:
A spaceship in a dense battle situation, controlled by a human beeing. The bridge is basically an empty room, consisting of screen-walls (showing the outside and ...
19
votes
9answers
5k views
Non-visual Computers - thoughts?
TL;DR
Let's say that computers were invented at a school for the blind in mid-1800s. How would today's technology, based on these non-screen-based computers, be different?
ETA: To clarify and ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I differentiate a eusocial organism from a hive mind collective?
Are there specific writing ways to differentiate from the two (eusocial vs. hivemind)?
I would like to start writing more notes and lore upon something I've been working with, but it does seem hard ...
21
votes
12answers
5k views
Summoning A Technology Based Demon
I have a world where the "supernatural" is all sufficiently advanced technology. With examples like Gods, Demons, and Angels are AI's whose physical forms are swarms of nanobots/nanites. This being ...
2
votes
2answers
167 views
Injury to the lower jaw - what would be the consequences?
One of my characters suffers an injury where a spike pierced his lower jaw and severed his tongue. Ignoring the fact that he may not have survived this wound under normal circumstances (eldritch ...
3
votes
1answer
98 views
What frequency range would be ideal for audible communication on a planet with a thick atmosphere? [closed]
If you lived on a planet with a very thick atmosphere, and you communicated verbally, what frequency range would be best? What would you eventually evolve to?
Would their voices need to be high ...
53
votes
20answers
10k views
How would an order of Monks that renounce their names communicate effectively?
In my fantasy world there exists an order of monks known as the Noncara/Non Cara (haven't decided which form looks better). The Non Cara practice a theology based solely on works. By this I mean: ...
asked Jun 23 '19 at 4:27
Celestial Dragon Emperor
10.2k4 gold badges36 silver badges79 bronze badges
5
votes
5answers
224 views
Logical Location for my Secure Martian Datacenter
Minutes of the DatadyneTM board meeting, May 7, 2037
Members of the board called to order by Chair Mykyta Coetzee. Chair address begins.
…
There is no more lucrative opportunity ...
16
votes
5answers
4k views
Is it possible for underground bunkers on different continents to be connected?
In a scenario I'm thinking of, the Earth has been nuked bare and a few remnants of humanity are surviving in their underground bunkers. Let's say there is one in North America, one in Central American,...
-3
votes
1answer
157 views
What's the quickest way to get the President or equivalent authority on the phone? Life depends on it! [closed]
Scenario.
You have 30 minutes before a deadly cyber-virus will infect everything connected to the internet. The national security level is already high due to recent events. In this future, majority ...
26
votes
12answers
8k views
Humans meet a distant alien species. How do they standardize? - Units of Measure
Humans meet some distant alien species. They are mutual first contacts. After learning the languages of each other, they begin to share scientific and engineering knowledge with one another, but here'...
21
votes
10answers
4k views
Looking for a soft substance that doesn't dissolve underwater
I'm writing a story that takes place entirely underwater, mostly in a deep sea town and shallower city. Both are underwater and populated by beings who can survive underwater.
My thinking is that ...
1
vote
0answers
27 views
How do tongues affect speech? [duplicate]
If you had your tongue removed, would you still be able to form coherent words? What sounds would you lose the ability to make and why?
20
votes
17answers
5k views
How to make a language evolve quickly?
Imagine a world in which the language barrier is a means of propaganda defence.
In this world, one of the primary concerns of each country is the migration of natives, since they know their native ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
Can radiation block all wireless communications?
Can radiation block all wireless communications?
My idea is that heavy meteorite storms are spreading radioactive dust around the atmosphere. I know that traces of radioactive elements can survive ...
15
votes
5answers
3k views
How could a civilization detect tachyons?
In an effort to work out a believable form of faster-than-light communications for my setting, I've ruled out a few things: wormholes (which are in use, but are too random in where they lead, to be ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Which sounds could a tongueless person produce?
In my world, officials dealing with sensitive information have their tongues amputated.
Naturally writing and a special, government-only sign-language are the main forms of communication, but ...
7
votes
2answers
401 views
How long would it take to eliminate the lovecraft mythos from the human consciousness?
Hundreds of years ago during the black plague, an individual named Howard Phillips Lovecraft started what would lead to the doom of humanity. Although a mediocre writer himself, his works of ...
