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1500 questions
101
votes
3 answers
Why didn't Qui-Gon Jinn use his Jedi mind tricks to exchange his Republic credits?
In Star Wars Episode I, Qui-Gon Jinn tries to use his Jedi mind tricks to convince Watto that Republic credits will do fine as payment for the hyperdrive they need. Conveniently, mind tricks don't work on Watto because he is a Toydarian, so Qui-Gon…
ShemSeger
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101
votes
10 answers
How valuable are C-3PO and R2-D2?
I ask this question because there are two contradictory events related to C-3PO and R2-D2:
In A New Hope, we see several droids traded by Jawas.
BERU
Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a translator to be sure it speaks Bocce.
LUKE
It looks like we…
ThePopMachine
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100
votes
10 answers
Which was the first novel set in universes where P=NP?
I wonder whether anyone has written a novel set in a universe where P=NP, in the event that there is more than one, which was the first?
In this universe all problems that could be verified in polynomial time (NP) (given the solution) could also be…
Dr G
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100
votes
15 answers
Why is it that after 8,000 years, technology in Westeros has not evolved in the world of the Game of Thrones?
In Game of Thrones, their society dates back 8,000 years. Why have there been no advances in technology?
sirensvoice
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100
votes
1 answer
Why does Zaphod Beeblebrox call Ford Prefect "Ford" when they meet on the Heart of Gold?
Ford Prefect took that name because he thought it sounded like a normal name on Earth. I couldn't find any mention anywhere that he used this name before his 15-year-long visit to Earth and he didn't have any contact with anyone not from Earth who…
Skrillaka
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99
votes
10 answers
Why does the paper in Battlestar Galactica have the corners cut off?
In Battlestar Galactica (the reimagined series), as far as I can see all the paper have their 4 corners removed. While I don't remember an in-universe mention of it (there wasn't really a need), did the writers or producers or anyone ever explain…
Jonathan.
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98
votes
7 answers
Why was Sirius ever convicted?
Sirius himself says at some point in Goblet of Fire that Crouch pushed through legislation to have him convicted and thrown in Azkaban without a trial.
There seems to be a general consensus, specifically voiced by Fudge but also implicit in Crouch…
Janus Bahs Jacquet
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98
votes
4 answers
Why did Lucas begin the episode numbering at IV?
Complementary to this question, why did George Lucas start the numbering at 4? I know (now) he had a vague idea of what would be in 1, 2, and 3. But why not start with calling the first movie 1, and come the time to do the prequels, call them…
MPelletier
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98
votes
5 answers
Why weren't the Three Rings for the Elven-kings destroyed as well?
At the end of The Return of the King, after the One Ring is destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, the rings were carried out of Middle-Earth.
IIRC it may have been Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf who carried them out separately, or Elrond carried…
riv_rec
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98
votes
12 answers
Why were the Death Eaters so lenient during the fight at the Department of Mysteries?
This always struck me as odd. When Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna all go to the Department of Mysteries and are confronted by the Death Eaters, why are the Death Eaters so lenient with them? When the actual fighting starts, Lucius…
forgivemymoccasins
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97
votes
17 answers
Why did Harry Potter intentionally lose the Resurrection Stone in the Forbidden Forest?
Just before he is sacrificed to Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest, Harry dropped the Resurrection Stone.
“I thought he would come,” said Voldemort in his high, clear voice, his eyes
on the leaping flames. “I expected him to come.”
Nobody…
DavRob60
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97
votes
4 answers
Has an injured Flash ever used super-speed to walk on his hands?
While watching flashpoint-paradox the Flash—in the typical way speedsters are often rendered nigh-useless—suffers a leg injury, therefore preventing him from running. However, a bum leg doesn't mean the Speed Force abandons him: Flash, apparently…
Hey I Can Chan
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97
votes
6 answers
Does Aragorn wear pants?
Back when I was reading LOTR in Russian, I remember fans arguing over the issue of whether Aragorn wore pants (or rather, using the British term, trousers), or not - what I later learned was a major topic of discussion in Soviet Tolkien fandom. The…
DVK-on-Ahch-To
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96
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6 answers
The use of the word "guns" in The Hobbit
In Chapter XVIII - The Return Journey of the book 'The Hobbit', Tolkien uses the word "guns".
'The roar of his voice was like drums and guns; and he tossed
wolves and goblins from his path like straws and feathers'
As far as I know, guns are not…
bobbyalex
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96
votes
9 answers
What are Gandalf's powers?
Gandalf is a wizard. He is also the Tolkien equivalent of a mortal angel (if I understand what the Maiar are correctly.) What are his powers though? Specifically what magics does he use in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings? I assume he is a great…
Kevin Howell
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