The "Ringworld" is an artificial ring about one million miles wide and approximately the diameter of Earth's orbit (which makes it about 600 million miles in circumference), centered about a star, and rotating to provide an Earthlike artificial gravity, with a habitable flat inner surface equivalent in area to approximately three million Earth-sized planets. Walls 1000 miles tall along the edges keep in the atmosphere. The Ringworld could be regarded as a thin slice of a Dyson sphere, with which it shares a number of characteristics. Niven himself thinks of the Ringworld as "an in ...

See also:

Ringworld, Ringworld - The story, Ringworld - Concepts, Ringworld - Ringworld engineering, Ringworld - Trivia, Ringworld - Sequels and adaptations

Read more here: » Ringworld: Encyclopedia II - Ringworld - Ringworld engineering

Installation 04 is the official name of Alpha Halo (or simply Halo) in Halo: Combat Evolved. Halo is one of seven giant ring-worlds built by the Forerunners. It is first and foremost a weapon, intended to destroy the parasitic Flood threat by wiping out all its possible hosts, i.e. all intelligent life in its range. While that range is "only" approximately 25,000 light years, the activation is thought to trigger the other six Halo stations, extending the range to the entire Milky Way. The Flood is apparently still ...

See also:

Halo megastructure, Halo megastructure - Origin, Halo megastructure - Installation 04, Halo megastructure - Astronomy, Halo megastructure - Installation 05, Halo megastructure - Name

Read more here: » Halo megastructure: Encyclopedia II - Halo megastructure - Installation 04

Tree-of-Life is a bush whose smell is unnoticeable to breeders until they reach about 25 Pak years (or 42 human years); after that, the smell suddenly becomes irresistible. The breeder eats the root, infecting himself with a symbiotic virus in the root and triggering the transition. After consuming Tree-of-Life, Pak breeder forms (such as humans) turn into the Pak Protector form, which involves reconfiguration of the anatomy, including the acquisition of a leathery armor or exoskeleton, strong enough to turn a copper knife. Joints swe ...

See also:

Pak Protector, Pak Protector - The Pak species, Pak Protector - Tree Of Life, Pak Protector - Protector behaviour, Pak Protector - The Pak and Humanity, Pak Protector - Narrative purpose

Read more here: » Pak Protector: Encyclopedia II - Pak Protector - Tree Of Life

There are several variants on Dyson's original concept that have been proposed over the years, which differ based on their composition and method of construction. Dyson sphere - Dyson swarm. The variant closest to Dyson's original conception, is the "Dyson swarm". It consists of a large number of independent constructs (usually solar power satellites and space habitats) orbiting in a dense formation around the star. These constructs could range widely in individual size and design, and could be constructed over a long period of time, making the constructio ...

See also:

Dyson sphere, Dyson sphere - History, Dyson sphere - Dyson spheres and SETI, Dyson sphere - Dyson spheres in fiction, Dyson sphere - Variants, Dyson sphere - Dyson swarm, Dyson sphere - Dyson shell, Dyson sphere - Dyson bubble, Dyson sphere - Other types

Read more here: » Dyson sphere: Encyclopedia II - Dyson sphere - Variants

A ghoul is said to be a monster from Persian folklore that feeds on human flesh. The English word comes from the Persian name for the creature: الغول ghūl. The Arabian ghoul taken from the original Persian is a desert-dwelling, shapeshifting demon that can assume the guise of an animal, especially a hyæna. It lures unwary travellers into the desert wastes to slay and devour them. The creature also preys on young children and robs graves to eat the dead. Because of the latter habit, the word ghoul is sometimes used to refer to an ordinary human grave robb ...

Including:

• Ghoul - Ghouls in fiction
• Ghoul - Literature
• Ghoul - Movies and television
• Ghoul - Ghouls in gaming
• Ghoul - Dungeons and Dragons
• Ghoul - Shadowrun
• Ghoul - Vampire: The Masquerade
• Ghoul - Other games

Read more here: » Ghoul: Encyclopedia - Ghoul

Particle accelerator Penning trap positron antiproton antineutron Antimuon Antitauon Electron antineutrino Muon antineutrino Tau antineutrino PET Fuel Weaponry CERN ATRAP ATHENA Paul Dirac Carl Anderson Antimatter or contra-terrene matter is matter that is composed of the antiparticles of those that c ...

Including:

• Antimatter - History
• Antimatter - Antimatter production
• Antimatter - Notation
• Antimatter - Antimatter as fuel
• Antimatter - The Antiuniverse
• Antimatter - Antimatter in popular culture

Read more here: » Antimatter: Encyclopedia - Antimatter

Chaosium is one of the longer lived publishers of role-playing games still in existence. Originally founded by Greg Stafford, its first game was actually a wargame, White Bear and Red Moon, which later mutated into Dragon Pass and its sequel, Nomad Gods. White Bear and Red Moon is notable for containing the first published material about Glorantha, later immortalized as the primary setting for the r ...

Read more here: » Chaosium: Encyclopedia - Chaosium

This article is about good and bad fortune. There is also: Luck, Volhynia, a town in Ukraine, and Luck, Wisconsin, a village in the USA. Luck may be analysed from three viewpoints: rational, social, and supernatural. Luck - Rational viewpoint. As related to the occurrences of actual events considered to be of low probability in a mathematical or statistical sense. A rationalist approach would lead to the conclusion that such matters as whether or not someone bore a victim ill will would have n ...

Including:

• Luck - Rational viewpoint
• Luck - Social viewpoint
• Luck - Spiritual viewpoint
• Luck - Effects of viewpoint and beliefs
• Luck - Risky lifestyles
• Luck - Positive outlook
• Luck - Effects
• Luck - Numerology
• Luck - Sayings
• Luck - Items or events
• Luck - Lucky
• Luck - Unlucky
• Luck - Luck in fiction
• Luck - Song Lyrics

Read more here: » Luck: Encyclopedia - Luck

The concept of the Dyson sphere was the result of a thought experiment by Freeman Dyson where he noted that every human technological civilization has constantly increased its demand for energy. He reasoned that if human civilization were to survive long enough, there would come a time when it required the total energy output of the sun. Thus, he proposed a system of orbiting structures designed to intercept and collect all energy produced by the sun. Dyson's proposal did not detail how such a system would be constructed, but focu ...

See also:

Dyson sphere, Dyson sphere - History, Dyson sphere - Dyson spheres and SETI, Dyson sphere - Dyson spheres in fiction, Dyson sphere - Variants, Dyson sphere - Dyson swarm, Dyson sphere - Dyson shell, Dyson sphere - Dyson bubble, Dyson sphere - Other types

Read more here: » Dyson sphere: Encyclopedia II - Dyson sphere - History

See also: 1970 in literature, other events of 1971, 1972 in literature, list of years in literature. 1971 in literature - Events. The Destiny Waltz by Gerda Charles wins England's first Whitbread Novel of the Year Award. Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner is published. 1971 in literature - New books. Angle of Repose - Wallace Stegner The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman - Ernest J. Gaines < ...

Including:

• 1971 in literature - Events
• 1971 in literature - New books
• 1971 in literature - New drama
• 1971 in literature - Poetry
• 1971 in literature - Non-fiction
• 1971 in literature - Births
• 1971 in literature - Deaths
• 1971 in literature - Awards

Read more here: » 1971 in literature: Encyclopedia - 1971 in literature

A neologism is a word, term, or phrase which has been recently created ("coined") —often to apply to new concepts, or to reshape older terms in newer language form. Neologisms are especially useful in identifying inventions, new phenomena, or old ideas which have taken on a new cultural context. Neologisms are by definition "new," and as such are often directly attributable to a specific individual, publication, period or event. The term "neologism" was itself coined around 1800; so for some time in the early 19th Century, th ...

Including:

• Neologism - Changing culture
• Neologism - Cultural acceptance
• Neologism - Versions of neologisms
• Neologism - Types of neologism
• Neologism - Neologisms in literature
• Neologism - Quotation
• Neologism - Miscellaneous

Read more here: » Neologism: Encyclopedia - Neologism

In Halo 2, Installation 05, also known as Delta Halo (see footnotes), is another one of the "Fortress World" Installations built by the Forerunners to contain the Flood. It is also one of the rings that The Covenant is searching for - to control and activate them is required to complete their 'Great Journey'. When the High Prophet of Regret fled New Mombasa, East African Protectorate (destroying the city in the process), he set up a Base of Operations on Delta Halo (Installation 05) to make the first attempt to activate it. ...

See also:

Halo megastructure, Halo megastructure - Origin, Halo megastructure - Installation 04, Halo megastructure - Astronomy, Halo megastructure - Installation 05, Halo megastructure - Name

Read more here: » Halo megastructure: Encyclopedia II - Halo megastructure - Installation 05

The Halos are a set of seven (Now six, one was destroyed) giant, ring-shaped worlds built by the Forerunners, an ancient alien species about which little is known. They are "weapons of last resort, capable of destroying all sentient life within 3 radii of the galactic centre", as stated by 343 Guilty Spark. They were built to stop the parasitic Flood from spreading, should they escape. If the Flood were ever released, it was the responsibility of the Monitor of that Halo to find a "Reclaimer" to fire the ring's ultimate weapon - a device cap ...

See also:

Halo megastructure, Halo megastructure - Origin, Halo megastructure - Installation 04, Halo megastructure - Astronomy, Halo megastructure - Installation 05, Halo megastructure - Name

Read more here: » Halo megastructure: Encyclopedia II - Halo megastructure - Origin

Main article: Dyson spheres in fiction As noted above, the Dyson sphere orginated in fiction (see Star Maker, by Olaf Stapledon), and it is a concept that has appeared often in science fiction since then (see Dyson spheres in fiction for listed examples). In fictional accounts, the Dyson sphere concept is most often interpreted as an artificial hollow sphere of matter around a star (see diagram). This perception is a misinterpretation of Dyson's original concept. In response to letters prompted by his origi ...

See also:

Dyson sphere, Dyson sphere - History, Dyson sphere - Dyson spheres and SETI, Dyson sphere - Dyson spheres in fiction, Dyson sphere - Variants, Dyson sphere - Dyson swarm, Dyson sphere - Dyson shell, Dyson sphere - Dyson bubble, Dyson sphere - Other types

Read more here: » Dyson sphere: Encyclopedia II - Dyson sphere - Dyson spheres in fiction

Pak evolved on a planet near the core of the galaxy. Increased radiation levels at the core cause severe mutations that can destabilize the evolution process. As a result, the Pak evolved a mechanism to eliminate dangerous mutations from the population. That mechanism is the protector stage. Pak go through three stages of development: Child, Breeder and Protector. Child Pak are sexually immature and ...

See also:

Pak Protector, Pak Protector - The Pak species, Pak Protector - Tree Of Life, Pak Protector - Protector behaviour, Pak Protector - The Pak and Humanity, Pak Protector - Narrative purpose

Read more here: » Pak Protector: Encyclopedia II - Pak Protector - The Pak species

Pak Protectors have an in-built need to look after (or protect, hence the name) their "parent" breeder species. Protectors recognize their own breeder family line by scent, and are instinctively compelled to act in the best interests of breeder relatives. Pak Protectors will fight among themselves to procure land and resources for their respective breeder populations, often leading to the violent deaths of entire Pak family lines. A Pak Protector with no breeders to protect will generally stop eating and quickly starve, although some breeder ...

See also:

Pak Protector, Pak Protector - The Pak species, Pak Protector - Tree Of Life, Pak Protector - Protector behaviour, Pak Protector - The Pak and Humanity, Pak Protector - Narrative purpose

Read more here: » Pak Protector: Encyclopedia II - Pak Protector - Protector behaviour

Cyberpunk (a portmanteau of cybernetics and punk) is a sub-genre of science fiction that focuses on advanced technology such as computers or information technology, usually coupled with some degree of breakdown in the social order. The plot of cyberpunk writing often centres on a conflict among hackers, artificial intelligences, and mega corporations, tending to be set within a near-future Earth, rather than the "outer space" locales prevalent in science fiction at the time of cyberpunk's inception. The cities of this future typically ...

Including:

• Cyberpunk - Style
• Cyberpunk - Literature
• Cyberpunk - Film and television
• Cyberpunk - Music and fashion
• Cyberpunk - Games
• Cyberpunk - References and notes

Read more here: » Cyberpunk: Encyclopedia - Cyberpunk

It appears that Larry Niven created the Pak Protectors partly to show that high intelligence is simply an evolutionary tool. There have been some movements in SF that equate high intelligence with selflessness, civilization and altruism. Pak protectors are slaves to their instincts, which hard-wire their goals and priorities. Their intelligence serves evolutionary goals in order to preserve their species in a hostile environment. Niven has stated in other writings that he invented the Protectors as a thought experiment to explain the ...

See also:

Pak Protector, Pak Protector - The Pak species, Pak Protector - Tree Of Life, Pak Protector - Protector behaviour, Pak Protector - The Pak and Humanity, Pak Protector - Narrative purpose

Read more here: » Pak Protector: Encyclopedia II - Pak Protector - Narrative purpose

Humans are descended from Pak breeders that were stranded on Earth 2.5 million years ago. The protectors that built the colony ship died out from lack of food. The reason why humans evolved beyond the original Pak breeder form (Homo habilis) is that the Tree-of-Life virus requires thallium in the soil to survive and Earth is not adequately thallious; all our Pak Protectors died out mill ...

See also:

Pak Protector, Pak Protector - The Pak species, Pak Protector - Tree Of Life, Pak Protector - Protector behaviour, Pak Protector - The Pak and Humanity, Pak Protector - Narrative purpose

Read more here: » Pak Protector: Encyclopedia II - Pak Protector - The Pak and Humanity

Physically, Puppeteers resemble a centaur with three legs ending in hooved feet and two snake-like heads instead of a humanoid upper body. The heads are very small, with a forked tongue, extensive rubbery lips, rimmed with finger-like knobs, and a single eye per head. The heads do not contain the Puppeteer's brain; it resides near the shoulder in a massive mane-covered hump from which the heads emerge. The sobriquet "Pierson's" comes from the name of the human who made first contact in the early 26th century in the Known Space timeline. Acco ...

See also:

Pierson's Puppeteer, Pierson's Puppeteer - Biology and sociology, Pierson's Puppeteer - Politics and relations with other species, Pierson's Puppeteer - General Products, Pierson's Puppeteer - Foreign policy, Pierson's Puppeteer - Homeworld — The Fleet of Worlds

Read more here: » Pierson's Puppeteer: Encyclopedia II - Pierson's Puppeteer - Biology and sociology