In article <u6ff87$f7gr$2@dont-email.me>, BCFD36 <bcfd36@cruzio.com> wrote:
>On 6/14/23 13:29, Scott Lurndal wrote:
>> William Hyde <wthyde1953@gmail.com> writes:
>>> On Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 11:47:16=E2=80=AFAM UTC-4, Paul S Person wro=
>>> te:
>
>[stuff deleted]
>
>>> On my property I've seen rabbits, skunks, raccoons, possums, and various sm=
>>> aller creatures.
>>
>> On mine, jack rabbits, skunks, coyote, deer, feral cats, the occasional wild
>> turkey and neighborhood peacock are the most common visitors[*]; A hunting
>> hawk snagged a smaller bird yesterday while I was outside and the
>> turkey vultures often enjoy the updrafts on warm days. The nearby
>> hills hold cougars and bobcats.
>>
>> [*] not counting the blasted pocket gophers.
>
>I won't count the gophers, voles, or moles either.
>
>Coyotes, deer (saw a spotted fawn yesterday), bats, possums, skunks,
>turkeys (lots of them, there were none 30 years ago), woodpeckers, bald
>eagles (only seen pictures), red tail hawks, ravens and crows, mice,
>rats, squirrels, a couple of chipmunks 38 years ago and none since,
>bobcats, feral cats, raccoons, and an overabundance of mountain lions.
>And cougars too, but you can distract them with a glass of chardonay.
>
The squirrels and chipmunks around here vie for dominance. The
squirrels have size on their side. The chipmunks seem to breed
faster and every once in a while produce a wee mad fucker more
than happy to violently assault squirrels.

And then there was the chipmunk who spent a lot of time trying to
court squirrels. I wonder how that worked out.
--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

On Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 11:59:05 AM UTC-4, Paul S Person wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:21:25 -0700 (PDT), Kevrob <kev...@my-deja.com>
> wrote:

[snip[

> >Some might have read him less than half a year ago.
> >
> >https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/12/25/dave-barrys-2022-year-review/
> Sadly, there's a non-pay-wall. All they want is my email address.
>

Dave B was syndicated, so it is available elsewhere. Such as:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/dave-barry-s-2022-year-in-review/ar-AA15DUnS

--
Kevin R

On Monday, June 12, 2023 at 1:25:47 PM UTC-6, Ahasuerus wrote:
> On Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2:19:45 PM UTC-4, BCFD36 wrote:

> > I haven't seen Larry Niven's "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" mentioned..
> > I can see that as a real problem, from a heterosexual male point of view.

> Sex with Kryptonians is a very real problem for most Terrans regardless
> of sex, species or sexual preferences. And vice versa.

> One of the first things that I suggest to visiting Kryptonians is to stick
> to their own species or to look into things like auralism
> (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=auralism). It
> may be limiting, but it sure beats having to deal with over 100lb
> worth of red mist thinly spread throughout the bedroom. It
> absolutely *ruins* the curtains!

For one thing, there is such a thing as _coitus reservatus_. That Superman's
abilities of muscularcontrol would be sufficient to enable him to safely
engage in coition with a mere human, therefore, is *not* particularly surprising.

In fact, it is in canon that he _has done so_ in the Silver Age continuity!

DC Super-Stars 12, from 1977.

Misty survived to become an airline stewardess...

John Savard

On Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:35:34 -0700 (PDT), Kevrob <kevrob@my-deja.com>
wrote:

>On Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 11:59:05?AM UTC-4, Paul S Person wrote:
>> On Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:21:25 -0700 (PDT), Kevrob <kev...@my-deja.com>
>> wrote:
>
>[snip[
>
>> >Some might have read him less than half a year ago.
>> >
>> >https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/12/25/dave-barrys-2022-year-review/
>> Sadly, there's a non-pay-wall. All they want is my email address.
>>
>
>Dave B was syndicated, so it is available elsewhere. Such as:
>
>https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/dave-barry-s-2022-year-in-review/ar-AA15DUnS

And thanks for that!
--
"In this connexion, unquestionably the most significant
development was the disintegration, under Christian
influence, of classical conceptions of the family and
of family right."

On Jun 14, 2023, William Hyde wrote
(in article<200c860f-83c7-4336-b1a1-b7b18d1790ebn@googlegroups.com>):

> On Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 11:47:16 AM UTC-4, Paul S Person wrote:
> > On Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:55:01 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
> > <dtr...@sonic.net> wrote:
> >
> > > On 6/13/2023 9:22 AM, Paul S Person wrote:
> > > > On Mon, 12 Jun 2023 11:33:47 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
> > > > <dtr...@sonic.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > On 6/12/2023 8:42 AM, Paul S Person wrote:
> > > > > > On Sun, 11 Jun 2023 09:22:09 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
> > > > > > <dtr...@sonic.net> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > On 6/11/2023 8:35 AM, Paul S Person wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Sat, 10 Jun 2023 10:06:11 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
> > > > > > > > <dtr...@sonic.net> wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On 6/10/2023 9:08 AM, Paul S Person wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 9 Jun 2023 19:02:38 -0500, Lynn McGuire
> > > > > > > > > > <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > On 6/9/2023 5:57 PM, Christian Weisgerber wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On 2023-06-09, Lynn McGuire<lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I have been wondering about the human body rebuilds in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Mutineer's Moon
> > > > > > > > > > > > > and its sequels. 6X strength,
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > I keep reading how non-human apes are so much stronger. This
> > > > > > > > > > > > raises
> > > > > > > > > > > > the question if some fairly small musculoskeletal adaptations
> > > > > > > > > > > > could
> > > > > > > > > > > > have a big effect and what the drawbacks would be.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > XX stamina,
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > EPO. Lot's of EPO. Just ask Lance Armstrong.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > much faster responses,
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Oooh, re-engineering the nervous system, aren't we?
> > > > > > > > > > > > Good luck with that one.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 30 minutes of oxygen in the abdomen,
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Dunno.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > skin replaced with an elastic polymer,
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > That sounds incredibly naive. Skin is a complex organ.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > all tendons and muscles replaced with polymers,
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > We're talking about living tissue here.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > all bones strengthened with light metal alloys,
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Sure, basically a more advanced form of orthopedic implant.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > eyes replaced with focusable cameras
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Hahahaha. I want to see how you interface that with the optic
> > > > > > > > > > > > nerve. Trained from birth, I assume? Also, electronic,
> > > > > > > > > > > > electromechanical, what-have-you implants raise the question of
> > > > > > > > > > > > power supply.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > clamps on all major arteries and veins for sudden loss,
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Sounds doable.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > life extension to 600+ years.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Start by explaining to me in detail the mechanisms behind the fact
> > > > > > > > > > > > that human lifespan is longer than that of a mouse. I don't care
> > > > > > > > > > > > about your handwaving how different species optimize life
> > > > > > > > > > > > expectancy
> > > > > > > > > > > > for bla, bla--I want to know _how_ they do it.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Sounds good but the devil is in the details.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Where's the problem? You just put pen to paper... authorial fiat
> > > > > > > > > > > > makes it happen. Heck, I can easily improve on all of the above
> > > > > > > > > > > > suggestions: "nanotech". There. That will be EUR 0.01 in
> > > > > > > > > > > > royalties.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Well, these people build FTL spaceships out of 2,000 mile diameter
> > > > > > > > > > > rocks. So, incredibly advanced from us.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Oh, and the other neat thing is that the higher you go up in fleet
> > > > > > > > > > > ranks
> > > > > > > > > > > (and only fleet personnel are enhanced), the more enhancements and
> > > > > > > > > > > stamina you get. The Captain of the 250,000 crew members for the
> > > > > > > > > > > 2,000
> > > > > > > > > > > mile diameter warship gets ALL the enhancements.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > I think that our circulatory systems and brains are much better
> > > > > > > > > > > than a
> > > > > > > > > > > mouse (four legs good, two legs better !). And, we cannot be
> > > > > > > > > > > carried
> > > > > > > > > > > off by an owl or a hawk. Or an eagle.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > IIRC, Dave Berry once noted that, on some South Pacific island he
> > > > > > > > > > visited, fruit bats with a wing-span equal to that of a WW2 fighter
> > > > > > > > > > were active at night.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > His advice to parents of small children: don't let them out at
> > > > > > > > > > night,
> > > > > > > > > > particularly if they are eating fruit.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > So he was aware of a now extinct species since the longest wingspan
> > > > > > > > > of a
> > > > > > > > > bat that we know of today is under six feet....
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > "Fruit bats are some of the largest bats in the world, with a wingspan
> > > > > > > > that can exceed six feet." This is from
> > > > > > > > [https://allanimalfacts.com/fruit-bat/#Fruit_Bat_Size].
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > However, you are correct that this is less than WW2 fighter wingspans.
> > > > > > > Hmmm, my first search appears to have been defective. A new search
> > > > > > > mentions the giant golden-crowned flying fox having a possible wingspan
> > > > > > > of seven feet.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The question, of course, is: is it's lifting capacity sufficient to
> > > > > > fly off with, say, a two-year-old?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Note: local warnings about not leaving pets out at night lest they
> > > > > > become critter fodder also warn about leaving small children out at
> > > > > > night for the same reason.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Small child -- large dog -- it's all the same to a cougar.
> > > > >
> > > > > To a hungry cougar that is having a bad night an adult is a viable
> > > > > target.
> > > >
> > > > Indeed.
> > > >
> > > > Also, when raising young, some predators hunt in the daytime when the
> > > > kids are asleep. (IIRC, the animal seen was a coyote. We also have
> > > > bobcats.)
> > > >
> > > > I found this with Bing:
> > > >
> > > > [https://wildexplained.com/what-eats-dogs/]
> > > > also lists Birds of Prey and Wolves.
> > > >
> > > > I don't think we have wolves (in the city, at least).
> > >
> > > But you almost certainly have coyotes. :)
> > And the wild rabbit population boom of a while back (including, sadly,
> > former pets) has been greatly and noticeably diminished. Leaving cats
> > and (small) dogs closer to the top of the menu.
> >
> > I actually /saw/, at different times, a rabbit on my front lawn. One
> > white, one brown. I left them alone.
>
> On my property I've seen rabbits, skunks, raccoons, possums, and various
> smaller creatures.
>
> In the nearby valley are deer and, some claim, coyotes. When I was a kid the
> river had no vertebrate
> life in it and birds would not land there. Now you can actually fish it,
> though I wouldn't eat anything
> from there just yet.
>
> William Hyde

On Wed, 14 Jun 2023 20:29:50 GMT, scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:

>>On my property I've seen rabbits, skunks, raccoons, possums, and various sm=
>>aller creatures.
>
>On mine, jack rabbits, skunks, coyote, deer, feral cats, the occasional wild
>turkey and neighborhood peacock are the most common visitors[*]; A hunting
>hawk snagged a smaller bird yesterday while I was outside and the
>turkey vultures often enjoy the updrafts on warm days. The nearby
>hills hold cougars and bobcats.
>
About 3 weeks ago I saw a bear crossing the street into a public park
about 3/4 mile from the edge of the inhabited part of town. Me and the
dog were 100' away and despite our Beau's wishes I walked away as
quickly as reasonably possible. (It was a nice warm early summer day
and there were lots of people between me and the soccer pitch the bear
had just moseyed into)

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 11:10:26 PM UTC-4, WolfFan wrote:

[snip]

> Josieite,.....

I tink yez mean _Joiseyite_.

I myself am a Josieite as the film of _Josie and the Pussycats_ is
a favorite of mine Sly satire of the music biz. Decent tunes.

I liked the comics from Archie when I was a kid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josie_and_the_Pussycats_(film)

--
Kevin R

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 9:10:26 PM UTC-6, WolfFan wrote:
> Iguanas have become the #1 roadkill, not
> least because certain Florida Men have been known to deliberately run them
> over.

There are Iguanas in Florida? I hadn't realized. Unlike crocodiles, I tend to
approve.

John Savard

On Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 12:19:49 AM UTC-6, Quadibloc wrote:
> On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 9:10:26 PM UTC-6, WolfFan wrote:
> > Iguanas have become the #1 roadkill, not
> > least because certain Florida Men have been known to deliberately run them
> > over.

> There are Iguanas in Florida? I hadn't realized. Unlike crocodiles, I tend to
> approve.

I see that I shouldn't. Iguanas may be cool, but all three species of iguana present
in Florida are invasive species, and they are highly destructive pests. The Green
Iguana is the most numerous, but there are also the black spiny-tailed iguana and
the Mexican spiny-tailed iguana.

John Savard

On Friday, June 9, 2023 at 2:33:10 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> On 6/9/2023 9:18 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
> > More Powers, More Problems: The Logistical Challenges of Superheroes
> >
> > Inadvertent naturism and other challenges of superbeings.
> >
> > https://www.tor.com/2023/06/09/more-powers-more-problems-the-logistical-challenges-of-superheroes/
> I have been wondering about the human body rebuilds in Mutineer's Moon
> and its sequels. 6X strength, XX stamina, much faster responses, 30
> minutes of oxygen in the abdomen, skin replaced with an elastic polymer,
> all tendons and muscles replaced with polymers, all bones strengthened
> with light metal alloys, eyes replaced with focusable cameras and range
> into the upper violet and lower red, clamps on all major arteries and
> veins for sudden loss, life extension to 600+ years. I mean, how do you
> get the brain past 100 years ?

We don't know how hard or easy that would be, because the decline of the brain with age is tightly interlinked with the failure of the rest of the body. Some people retain most of their mental acuity past 100, Jean Calumet was reportedly studying musical instruments at 120. It might be that if the body remained healthy, the brain could last substantially longer too. We just don't know.

On 2023-06-09 8:18 a.m., James Nicoll wrote:
> More Powers, More Problems: The Logistical Challenges of Superheroes
>
> Inadvertent naturism and other challenges of superbeings.
>
> https://www.tor.com/2023/06/09/more-powers-more-problems-the-logistical-challenges-of-superheroes/

Marvel does in fact have pretty reliable mutant detection devices that
can tell the difference between mutants and other powered humans and
aliens. I have seen a couple of cases where people leapt to the
conclusion that less well-known supers were actually mutants when mutant
hysteria was at a particularly high level plus one case where a mutant
was pretending his sword was a gadget to conceal that his lightning
shooting was a mutant power. However the basic low tech way that people
identify mutants is by remembering who is or used to be an X-Man.

When I was running a superhero game it was routine for me to inform them
they now had holes and rips in their outfit after a fight although it
was never entirely gone

On 2023-06-15 11:42 p.m., Quadibloc wrote:
> On Monday, June 12, 2023 at 1:25:47 PM UTC-6, Ahasuerus wrote:
>> On Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2:19:45 PM UTC-4, BCFD36 wrote:
>
>>> I haven't seen Larry Niven's "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" mentioned.
>>> I can see that as a real problem, from a heterosexual male point of view.
>
>> Sex with Kryptonians is a very real problem for most Terrans regardless
>> of sex, species or sexual preferences. And vice versa.
>
>> One of the first things that I suggest to visiting Kryptonians is to stick
>> to their own species or to look into things like auralism
>> (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=auralism). It
>> may be limiting, but it sure beats having to deal with over 100lb
>> worth of red mist thinly spread throughout the bedroom. It
>> absolutely *ruins* the curtains!
>
> For one thing, there is such a thing as _coitus reservatus_. That Superman's
> abilities of muscularcontrol would be sufficient to enable him to safely
> engage in coition with a mere human, therefore, is *not* particularly surprising.
>
> In fact, it is in canon that he _has done so_ in the Silver Age continuity!
>
> DC Super-Stars 12, from 1977.
>
> Misty survived to become an airline stewardess...
>
> John Savard

I pointed out a long time ago that a man who can lift a 26,000 ton
freighter with one hand instead of just punching through can clearly
increase the durability of the things he touches. If Superman doesn't
want to kill his partner he won't. Because he's Superman. Although I
do remember starting to write a book about a Superman-like character who
gave superpowers to every women he slept with. I titled it X-Wives.

On Saturday, 2 September 2023 at 03:45:14 UTC+1, David Johnston wrote:
> On 2023-06-09 8:18 a.m., James Nicoll wrote:
> > More Powers, More Problems: The Logistical Challenges of Superheroes
> >
> > Inadvertent naturism and other challenges of superbeings.
> >
> > https://www.tor.com/2023/06/09/more-powers-more-problems-the-logistical-challenges-of-superheroes/
> Marvel does in fact have pretty reliable mutant detection devices that
> can tell the difference between mutants and other powered humans and
> aliens. I have seen a couple of cases where people leapt to the
> conclusion that less well-known supers were actually mutants when mutant
> hysteria was at a particularly high level plus one case where a mutant
> was pretending his sword was a gadget to conceal that his lightning
> shooting was a mutant power. However the basic low tech way that people
> identify mutants is by remembering who is or used to be an X-Man.
>
> When I was running a superhero game it was routine for me to inform them
> they now had holes and rips in their outfit after a fight although it
> was never entirely gone

Did anyone have to go home in this?
<https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BankruptcyBarrel>

On 9/1/2023 7:52 PM, David Johnston wrote:
> On 2023-06-15 11:42 p.m., Quadibloc wrote:
>> On Monday, June 12, 2023 at 1:25:47 PM UTC-6, Ahasuerus wrote:
>>> On Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2:19:45 PM UTC-4, BCFD36 wrote:
>>
>>>> I haven't seen Larry Niven's "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex"
>>>> mentioned.
>>>> I can see that as a real problem, from a heterosexual male point of
>>>> view.
>>
>>> Sex with Kryptonians is a very real problem for most Terrans regardless
>>> of sex, species or sexual preferences. And vice versa.
>>
>>> One of the first things that I suggest to visiting Kryptonians is to
>>> stick
>>> to their own species or to look into things like auralism
>>> (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=auralism). It
>>> may be limiting, but it sure beats having to deal with over 100lb
>>> worth of red mist thinly spread throughout the bedroom. It
>>> absolutely *ruins* the curtains!
>>
>> For one thing, there is such a thing as _coitus reservatus_. That
>> Superman's
>> abilities of muscularcontrol would be sufficient to enable him to safely
>> engage in coition with a mere human, therefore, is *not* particularly
>> surprising.
>>
>> In fact, it is in canon that he _has done so_ in the Silver Age
>> continuity!
>>
>> DC Super-Stars 12, from 1977.
>>
>> Misty survived to become an airline stewardess...
>>
>> John Savard
>
> I pointed out a long time ago that a man who can lift a 26,000 ton
> freighter with one hand instead of just punching through can clearly
> increase the durability of the things he touches.  If Superman doesn't
> want to kill his partner he won't.  Because he's Superman.  Although I
> do remember starting to write a book about a Superman-like character who
> gave superpowers to every women he slept with.  I titled it X-Wives.

*GROAN*

--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.

On Friday, September 1, 2023 at 10:58:25 PM UTC-4, Robert Carnegie wrote:
> On Saturday, 2 September 2023 at 03:45:14 UTC+1, David Johnston wrote:
> > On 2023-06-09 8:18 a.m., James Nicoll wrote:
> > > More Powers, More Problems: The Logistical Challenges of Superheroes
> > >
> > > Inadvertent naturism and other challenges of superbeings.
> > >
> > > https://www.tor.com/2023/06/09/more-powers-more-problems-the-logistical-challenges-of-superheroes/
> > Marvel does in fact have pretty reliable mutant detection devices that
> > can tell the difference between mutants and other powered humans and
> > aliens. I have seen a couple of cases where people leapt to the
> > conclusion that less well-known supers were actually mutants when mutant
> > hysteria was at a particularly high level plus one case where a mutant
> > was pretending his sword was a gadget to conceal that his lightning
> > shooting was a mutant power. However the basic low tech way that people
> > identify mutants is by remembering who is or used to be an X-Man.
> >
> > When I was running a superhero game it was routine for me to inform them
> > they now had holes and rips in their outfit after a fight although it
> > was never entirely gone
> Did anyone have to go home in this?
> <https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BankruptcyBarrel>

"Demolish, disassemble, and dismantle my apparel,
If my birthday suit ain't cute, I'll wear a barrel."

Vague memory of the song, about uh, "enthusiastic" lovemaking rather than fighting, although the line can be blurry, even elsewhere in the song:
"Assault me, attack me, lose control.
Let's smother each other in a good old stranglehold."

I wonder how ubiquitous barrels were in the old days. I imagine plumbing was a major hit. Something else prompt the more hand-portable kegs (made of aluminum) for other liquids?

--
-Jack

On Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 7:13:05 AM UTC-6, Jack Bohn wrote:

> "Demolish, disassemble, and dismantle my apparel,
> If my birthday suit ain't cute, I'll wear a barrel."
>
> Vague memory of the song, about uh, "enthusiastic" lovemaking rather than fighting, although the line can be blurry, even elsewhere in the song:
> "Assault me, attack me, lose control.
> Let's smother each other in a good old stranglehold."

Allow me to refresh your vague memory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdmTk4OJDxQ

Satisfy Me One More Time, Frank Sinatra.

John Savard

On Friday, June 9, 2023 at 6:30:08 PM UTC-5, Christian Weisgerber wrote:
> On 2023-06-09, Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I have been wondering about the human body rebuilds in Mutineer's Moon
> > and its sequels. 6X strength,
> I keep reading how non-human apes are so much stronger. This raises
> the question if some fairly small musculoskeletal adaptations could
> have a big effect and what the drawbacks would be.
>
> > XX stamina,
>
> EPO. Lot's of EPO. Just ask Lance Armstrong.
>
> > much faster responses,
>
> Oooh, re-engineering the nervous system, aren't we?
> Good luck with that one.
> > 30 minutes of oxygen in the abdomen,
> Dunno.
> > skin replaced with an elastic polymer,
> That sounds incredibly naive. Skin is a complex organ.
> > all tendons and muscles replaced with polymers,
> We're talking about living tissue here.
> > all bones strengthened with light metal alloys,
> Sure, basically a more advanced form of orthopedic implant.
> > eyes replaced with focusable cameras
> Hahahaha. I want to see how you interface that with the optic
> nerve. Trained from birth, I assume? Also, electronic,
> electromechanical, what-have-you implants raise the question of
> power supply.
> > clamps on all major arteries and veins for sudden loss,
> Sounds doable.
> > life extension to 600+ years.
> Start by explaining to me in detail the mechanisms behind the fact
> that human lifespan is longer than that of a mouse. I don't care
> about your handwaving how different species optimize life expectancy
> for bla, bla--I want to know _how_ they do it.
> > Sounds good but the devil is in the details.
> Where's the problem? You just put pen to paper... authorial fiat
> makes it happen. Heck, I can easily improve on all of the above
> suggestions: "nanotech". There. That will be EUR 0.01 in royalties.
>
> --
> Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de

This is actually one of the more plausible examples, because Weber did consider some of the issues. The technology that makes all this possible is of alien origin and it's _centuries_ ahead of ours, and the human aliens who developed did so over a period of centuries. It does indeed involve completely rebuilding the body almost from the cellular level, rather than just attaching a prosthetic limb Bionic Woman style, and the process of gaining these advantages is slow and not entirely pleasant.

On Sunday, September 3, 2023 at 1:39:54 PM UTC-4, Johnny1A wrote:
> On Friday, June 9, 2023 at 6:30:08 PM UTC-5, Christian Weisgerber wrote:
> > On 2023-06-09, Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > I have been wondering about the human body rebuilds in Mutineer's Moon
> > > and its sequels. 6X strength,
> > I keep reading how non-human apes are so much stronger. This raises
> > the question if some fairly small musculoskeletal adaptations could
> > have a big effect and what the drawbacks would be.
> >
> > > XX stamina,
> >
> > EPO. Lot's of EPO. Just ask Lance Armstrong.
> >
> > > much faster responses,
> >
> > Oooh, re-engineering the nervous system, aren't we?
> > Good luck with that one.
> > > 30 minutes of oxygen in the abdomen,
> > Dunno.
> > > skin replaced with an elastic polymer,
> > That sounds incredibly naive. Skin is a complex organ.
> > > all tendons and muscles replaced with polymers,
> > We're talking about living tissue here.
> > > all bones strengthened with light metal alloys,
> > Sure, basically a more advanced form of orthopedic implant.
> > > eyes replaced with focusable cameras
> > Hahahaha. I want to see how you interface that with the optic
> > nerve. Trained from birth, I assume? Also, electronic,
> > electromechanical, what-have-you implants raise the question of
> > power supply.
> > > clamps on all major arteries and veins for sudden loss,
> > Sounds doable.
> > > life extension to 600+ years.
> > Start by explaining to me in detail the mechanisms behind the fact
> > that human lifespan is longer than that of a mouse. I don't care
> > about your handwaving how different species optimize life expectancy
> > for bla, bla--I want to know _how_ they do it.
> > > Sounds good but the devil is in the details.
> > Where's the problem? You just put pen to paper... authorial fiat
> > makes it happen. Heck, I can easily improve on all of the above
> > suggestions: "nanotech". There. That will be EUR 0.01 in royalties.
> >
> > --
> > Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de
>
> This is actually one of the more plausible examples, because Weber did consider some of the issues. The technology that makes all this possible is of alien origin and it's _centuries_ ahead of ours, and the human aliens who developed did so over a period of centuries. It does indeed involve completely rebuilding the body almost from the cellular level, rather than just attaching a prosthetic limb Bionic Woman style, and the process of gaining these advantages is slow and not entirely pleasant.

What was that book, possibly from the '50s, where they had implants and enhancements for just about everything, but they were expensive? Your social status was determined by go much of your "meat" had been upgraded to the new status.

On Fri, 1 Sep 2023 20:52:37 -0600, David Johnston
<davidjohnston29@yahoo.com> wrote:

>I pointed out a long time ago that a man who can lift a 26,000 ton
>freighter with one hand instead of just punching through can clearly
>increase the durability of the things he touches. If Superman doesn't
>want to kill his partner he won't. Because he's Superman. Although I
>do remember starting to write a book about a Superman-like character who
>gave superpowers to every women he slept with. I titled it X-Wives.

Wouldn't that be the ultimate pick-up line??

On Saturday, 2 September 2023 at 03:52:44 UTC+1, David Johnston wrote:
> On 2023-06-15 11:42 p.m., Quadibloc wrote:
> > On Monday, June 12, 2023 at 1:25:47 PM UTC-6, Ahasuerus wrote:
> >> On Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2:19:45 PM UTC-4, BCFD36 wrote:
> >
> >>> I haven't seen Larry Niven's "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" mentioned.
> >>> I can see that as a real problem, from a heterosexual male point of view.
> >
> >> Sex with Kryptonians is a very real problem for most Terrans regardless
> >> of sex, species or sexual preferences. And vice versa.
> >
> >> One of the first things that I suggest to visiting Kryptonians is to stick
> >> to their own species or to look into things like auralism
> >> (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=auralism). It
> >> may be limiting, but it sure beats having to deal with over 100lb
> >> worth of red mist thinly spread throughout the bedroom. It
> >> absolutely *ruins* the curtains!
> >
> > For one thing, there is such a thing as _coitus reservatus_. That Superman's
> > abilities of muscularcontrol would be sufficient to enable him to safely
> > engage in coition with a mere human, therefore, is *not* particularly surprising.
> >
> > In fact, it is in canon that he _has done so_ in the Silver Age continuity!
> >
> > DC Super-Stars 12, from 1977.
> >
> > Misty survived to become an airline stewardess...
> >
> > John Savard
> I pointed out a long time ago that a man who can lift a 26,000 ton
> freighter with one hand instead of just punching through can clearly
> increase the durability of the things he touches. If Superman doesn't
> want to kill his partner he won't. Because he's Superman. Although I
> do remember starting to write a book about a Superman-like character who
> gave superpowers to every women he slept with. I titled it X-Wives.

Spoiler if you don't know, this happens in...

_John Byrne's Next Men_ by John Byrne.
(graphic novels)

He did get a letter from Marvel Comics' lawyers
about the name. It's cool. Yours, maybe not. ;-)

A wounded supervillain from John Byrne's _2112_
(also a graphic novel) travels back in time to around,
oh, maybe 1950, and becomes secret leader, sort of,
of the U.S. government project that created superpowers.
Using babies. The "Next Men" (and women) are a handful
who actually live through the process, many years later,
and emerge as powered but disadvantaged strangers to
society, after living in a peculiar shared virtual reality
until then.

It then turns out that superness is also transmitted
in sexual intercourse, maybe by blood infection too,
I don't think it's mentioned, and the world of _2112_
has a serious social problem with that, including for
public safety if someone origins in a crowded street.
And the supervillain is someone who got infected
early on and who knows all about the superpower
project as an event in his personal history, as well as
going back in time and creating it.

On 2023-09-15 2:59 p.m., The Horny Goat wrote:
> On Fri, 1 Sep 2023 20:52:37 -0600, David Johnston
> <davidjohnston29@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I pointed out a long time ago that a man who can lift a 26,000 ton
>> freighter with one hand instead of just punching through can clearly
>> increase the durability of the things he touches. If Superman doesn't
>> want to kill his partner he won't. Because he's Superman. Although I
>> do remember starting to write a book about a Superman-like character who
>> gave superpowers to every women he slept with. I titled it X-Wives.
>
> Wouldn't that be the ultimate pick-up line??

For obvious reasons he had to really, really trust a sexual partner
before sealing the deal.

On Sun, 17 Sep 2023 17:31:01 -0600, David Johnston
<davidjohnston29@yahoo.com> wrote:

>On 2023-09-15 2:59 p.m., The Horny Goat wrote:
>> On Fri, 1 Sep 2023 20:52:37 -0600, David Johnston
>> <davidjohnston29@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I pointed out a long time ago that a man who can lift a 26,000 ton
>>> freighter with one hand instead of just punching through can clearly
>>> increase the durability of the things he touches. If Superman doesn't
>>> want to kill his partner he won't. Because he's Superman. Although I
>>> do remember starting to write a book about a Superman-like character who
>>> gave superpowers to every women he slept with. I titled it X-Wives.
>>
>> Wouldn't that be the ultimate pick-up line??
>
>For obvious reasons he had to really, really trust a sexual partner
>before sealing the deal.

Yeah nothing like 20 annoyed ex's to really spoil THIS Superman's day!