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DARPA Working On Arthur C. Clarke Weapon Idea

Posted by Soulskill on from the good-times-with-molten-metal dept.

holy_calamity writes "DARPA is working on a weapon which is similar to one first described by Arthur C. Clarke in his 1955 novel Earthlight — firing jets of molten metal using strong electromagnetic fields. The Magneto Hydrodynamic Explosive Munition (MAHEM) will function on a smaller scale than Clarke's fictional blaster. DARPA's write-up says it could be 'packaged into a missile, projectile or other platform and delivered close to target for final engagement and kill.' Clarke is also widely credited with suggesting geostationary communications satellites — what other ideas of his will come to pass?"

13 of 453 comments (clear)

  1. what other ideas of his will come to pass? by trolltalk.com · · Score: 5, Funny

    I for one welcome Arthur C. Clarke's Overlords (Childhoods' End)

    --
    Kevin Smith on Prince
    1. Re:what other ideas of his will come to pass? by rthille · · Score: 5, Funny

      Then where the hell is my flying car, and why do 80% of my countrymen still believe in bronze-age myths?

      --
      Awesome furniture, accessories and cabinetry in Santa Rosa, CA: http://humanity-home.com/
    2. Re:what other ideas of his will come to pass? by Minwee · · Score: 4, Funny

      Similarly it is hard to miss shooting a rabbit with a sawn-off shotgun...

      You'd better not miss. If that rabbit is armed with a shotgun you may not get a second shot at him.

    3. Re:what other ideas of his will come to pass? by turgid · · Score: 3, Funny

      3D!=D

      So, D!=0?

      --
      Stick Men
  2. The Mark V Computer by TimHunter · · Score: 5, Funny

    I understand that the monks are up to about 8 and 1/2 billion. http://lucis.net/stuff/clarke/9billion_clarke.html/

  3. Childhood's End's Telekinesis by starglider29a · · Score: 3, Funny

    One of these days, a guy will be looking at the TV remote on the coffee table and try to pull it to him with his mind... AND IT WILL WORK!

    1. Re:Childhood's End's Telekinesis by xj · · Score: 5, Funny

      What is the need for a remote if you can use telekinesis? Does superman fly southwest?

    2. Re:Childhood's End's Telekinesis by LWATCDR · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yea like I am going to make the effort to think all the way across the room when I could just think at the remote next to me.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    3. Re:Childhood's End's Telekinesis by geobeck · · Score: 3, Funny

      Does superman fly southwest?

      I did a mental double-take before mentally inserting the capital letter on "Southwest". Like, wha? He hates California or something? :p

      --
      Find environmentally and socially responsible products on http://buy-right.net
  4. Magneto Hydrodynamic... by ahoehn · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Magneto Hydrodynamic Explosive Munition (MAHEM) will function on a smaller scale than Clarke's fictional blaster. Best. Acronym. Ever.
    --
    Mod my comments down. It'll be fun.
  5. Re:Automated memes by trolltalk.com · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let me be the first to welcome our molten metal jet wielding overlords.

    Better you than me, mate!

    --
    Kevin Smith on Prince
  6. In the DARPA lab... by oodaloop · · Score: 4, Funny

    First engineer: You've got your flamethrower in my railgun!
    Second engineer: You've got your railgun in my flamethrower!
    Both: Two great tastes that taste great together!

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
  7. Solve the energy crisis by sir_eccles · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't know if it's inhumane, but we could solve the energy crisis by strapping magnets to Arthur C Clarke's body as it spins in his grave.