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1500 questions
53
votes
12 answers
How do humans in Star Trek satisfy their desire for fanciful and luxurious stuff in a post-scarcity world where money does not exist?
My understanding of post-scarcity in the Star Trek world is that humans need not worry about their next meal. There will always be enough for the basic necessities. However, I do not think this extends to everything. My understanding of humans is…
user486818
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53
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3 answers
Why did it take longer to go to Rivendell in The Hobbit than in The Fellowship of the Ring?
Both The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring involve traveling to Rivendell; however, although approximately the same route is taken, the journey took longer in The Hobbit.
In The Hobbit, Gandalf, Bilbo and the dwarves departed from the Shire at…
David
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53
votes
1 answer
Why did the six-fingered man leave the sword?
In the film The Princess Bride, when Inigo and the Man in Black have their chat before their duel, the Spaniard tells his adversary about his father and the six-fingered man:
Inigo: My father was slaughtered by a six-fingered man. Was a great sword…
Rand al'Thor
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53
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5 answers
Why didn't Gollum ever become a wraith?
Inspired by this answer regarding the long-term effects of The One Ring: Sméagol possessed the ring for close to 500 years, and although he clearly didn't wear it constantly, it had some terrible effects on him. He was disfigured and incredibly old;…
Plutor
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53
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2 answers
How did the Republic have enough clones for... anything?
I have very little data to go off of, but the Wookieepedia page for the Grand Army of the Republic says that the Grand Army started with 1.2 million clones, and 3 million added later on.
We saw in the Clone Wars series that clones commonly, if not…
RallyToMe
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2 answers
How does the leek jinx in Harry Potter respect Gamp's Law?
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, there is a passage about students having leeks growing out of their ears:
A number of small scuffles broke out in the corridors, culminating in a nasty incident in which a Gryffindor fourth-year and a…
Pier-Luc Brault
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53
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8 answers
What kind of power was hoped-for/expected to be gained from the One Ring?
Several characters tried to get hold of the One Ring on Frodo's journey to Mount Doom, some by force like Boromir, some by persuasion like Galadriel. All spoke of gaining power and using it against Sauron. But what power did they expect?
I mean,…
Evgeni
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5 answers
What Marvel Superhero or Supervillain Has the Most Secret Identity?
Secret identities are an important plot point in many-a-comics, and it's usually a big deal when a superhero's secret identity risks exposure. However, many superheroes reveal their identity to friends or allies - and supervillains frequently deduce…
WannabeCoder
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53
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5 answers
Other than Neo Stopping the Machine Weapons, Are There Clues the Real World is Another Matrix?
My question about Neo stopping the Machine weapons got me to thinking, since both answers (so far) have brought up the point that "reality," in this case, is just another matrix.
I never really gave the sequels much thought, since they weren't as…
Tango
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53
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3 answers
Does the Interdict of Merlin appear in original Harry Potter canon?
In Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Eliezer Yudkowsky a concept called the 'Interdict of Merlin' appears: (all emphasis added)
Chapter 23:
His hand on the doorknob, Harry Potter already inside and waiting, wearing his cowled…
user32390
53
votes
4 answers
Kahless and Klingon Appearance
I never quite understood the disconnect between the Klingon appearance in the original series and the others (TNG and beyond) until I read recently on Wikipedia:
A canonical explanation for the change [in Klingon appearance] was given in a two-part…
Jin
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53
votes
2 answers
Why would Gandalf (as ring-lord) be worse than Sauron?
I've just come across a point that I've thought about before, and thought it would be good to get some other stances on it. See this letter, emphasis mine:
In the 'Mirror of Galadriel', 1381, it appears that Galadriel
conceived of herself as…
John Bell
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52
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5 answers
Who is James R Kirk?
Most people are familiar with the iconic James T. (Tiberius) Kirk from Star Trek. But in the original series episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before" a tomb stone is created for Kirk that shows his name as James R. Kirk.
Who was James R. Kirk and when…
Xantec
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52
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4 answers
Did Tolkien ever specify that Orodruin was a volcano?
It is incredibly clear that Orodruin (Mount Doom) was a volcano. It is a mountain with fire inside of it, and it periodically belches forth ash, smoke, and rock. This is what volcanoes do best (really, it's pretty much the only thing they do). …
Wad Cheber
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52
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2 answers
Do the beacon lighters really live on top of the mountains?
Following this image I found online:
Do the beacon lighters really live on top of the mountains?
It seems really cold on top of some of these mountains and there are no villages or whatsoever.
Shevliaskovic
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