Mark C. Baumann
exploring big ideas, the imagination, and the human spirit
Solving the Unsolvable Riddle of Shamath
A mathematical analysis and revision of an unsolvable riddle from the Lone Wolf series of gamebooks
How Long Will It Last?
Using the Copernican Principle to predict the future lifespan of just about anything
Interstellar Travel and the Incentive Trap
Should we begin our journey to the stars now, or wait until we have faster technology?
Sailing to the Stars on a Beam of Light
How existing technology can send a spacecraft to the nearest star in less than a human lifetime.
Interstellar Ramjets and Antimatter Drives
Spacecraft need so much fuel to travel interstellar distances that fuel becomes the only thing they can bring along. Are there any solutions to this problem? This article looks at two: interstellar ramjets and antimatter drives.
Learning Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Through a Scientific Lens
How is learning Brazilian Jiu-jitsu similar to learning physics, language, music, or chess?
The Nature of Reality: Is Consciousness All There Is? (Part 2)
Through a combination of philosophy, mathematics, computer science, and physics, I describe and analyze the theory of conscious realism.
Surfing to the Stars on a Nuclear Blast Wave
Could the destructive power of our nuclear weapons arsenal be repurposed to transport humankind to the stars?
Chemistry Won’t Get Us to the Stars. What Will?
Astrophysicist Philip Lubin has said, “Chemistry will get you to Mars, but it won’t get you to the stars.” What did he mean by that? And, if chemistry won't get us to the stars, what will?