In a message dated 8/29/99 7:02:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, bradbury@www.aeiveos.com writes:
<< I believe one of the books about the Physics of Star Trek (or something similar) points out that classic "transporters" are difficult or impossible due to the information and energy requirements. You definitely have a *real* problem without a receiver at the destination. >>
Yes indeed the book is called "The Physics of Star Trek" and it has a companion, "The Metaphysics of Star Trek"
On the subject of the transporter, it is indeed possible, and, even more remarkable, being done often, albeit on a small scale. Photons have been destructured and restructured meters away. And if photons are, then they must have substance. And if matter can be moved, the large matter may be as well.
While unmentioned, the subject of warp speed (faster-then-light travel) is seriously being studied, most notably by the esteemed Dr. Stephen Hawking. The whole premise relies on the collision of matter and antimatter (in itself being produced often enough to bear mention), the energy released by the collision producing the fantastic power required for such speeds. While in the relativistic universe, such speeds are, at best, impossible. But such is the beauty of the warp field. The field alters a small portion of space that travels with the dual-nacelled starship, circumventing inertial and relativistic effects that would make such travel impossible.
While visiting the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1992, Stephen Hawking passed the engine room set, looked at the Warp Engine, smiled, the said, "I'm working on that."
Signed
Locke