Airbrush

Exactly, and that is why we can't say anything about the shape of the early universe at t = 10^(-43) seconds. Dark matter is a good example of something that is very substantial, and yet invisible. You are thinking of dark energy when you say "causing the universe to expand" but at an accelerating speed. Instead of saying "There is no such thing as something that came out of nothing" just say "We don't know of any examples of something coming from "absolute nothing." This is really a discussion about "absolutely nothing" and not about empty space that appears to be nothing. Big difference.

None of us are giving "confident" answers. Just give us your best guess for discussion sake. Maybe even an educated guess. Nobody knows....big deal.

It's just hard to imagine how, when, or where, absolutely nothing ever existed. If a big bang came out of it, then that potential for a big bang is not nothing.

"Nothing" never existed, nor will it ever exist.

Air is not nothing. You can't see it, but it is a gas. Space is not nothing. Just because you cannot see, detect, or define empty space, doesn't mean it is nothing. The something we can see, came out of something we cannot see.

"How the Universe Works" on the Science channel. In the last episode about finding Earth 2.0, some think that red dwarf stars are not promising for advanced civilizations. We should look for stars about the size of our Sun and a planet about the size of Earth, not very common. They really have not found a planet as nice as Earth, yet.

Apple Gabriel, or Albert Craig, of Israel Vibration fame, "We A De Rasta." First turn up your subwoofer to enjoy reggae totally! Then go to the river!

If you are climbing down a ladder over 100 feet, wearing only your pajamas, you would hope the tunnel walls are thick enough to block micro-meteors and cosmic rays. I'd rather sleep in zero g in the thickest, most shielded module of the space station.

"...A 2011 NASA proposal for a demonstration project preparatory to the final design of the larger torus centrifuge space habitat for the Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle. The structure would have an outside diameter of 30 feet (9.1 m) with a ring interior cross-section diameter of 30 inches (760 mm). It would provide 0.08 to 0.51g partial gravity. This test and evaluation centrifuge would have the capability to become a Sleep Module for ISS crew." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_gravity#Proposals I guess 0.51g is better than zero g.

That is a long distance 40m = 131 feet! Imagine that length pressurized and shielded from cosmic rays? What would that cost? Then how about counter-rotating another balanced pair of sleeping modules? You don't want them to smash into each other rotating in opposite directions. This project seems to be way beyond affordable or practicable. That would also be a scary place to sleep isolated so far from the hub.

How long of a radius does the pressurized tunnel need to be to easily transition from zero g to one g?

Ok then the centrifuge doesn't need to be a complete wheel, it could be most simply only two modules that are rotating around a hub suspended by cables inside 2 pressurized tunnels, one to each module. Then it could be a much larger radius, and you can add modules symmetrically.

Artificial gravity just for sleeping simply because bigger technical problems building a bigger centrifuge for other activities. Sleeping requires the least amount of valuable space therefore allowing for a smaller centrifuge.

Anyone know when humans may start building a rotating wheel space station? Not too soon. My little search found this: "...NASA has explored plans for a Nautilus X centrifuge demonstration project. If flown, this would add a centrifuge sleep quarters module to the ISS. This makes it possible to experiment with artificial gravity without destroying the usefulness of the ISS for zero g experiments. It could lead to deep space missions under full g in centrifuge sleeping quarters following the same approach." "NASA has never attempted to build a rotating wheel space station, for several reasons. First, such a station would be very difficult to construct, given the limited lifting capability available to the United States and other spacefaring nations. Assembling such a station and pressurizing it would present formidable obstacles, which, although not beyond NASA's technical capability, would be beyond available budgets. Second, NASA considers the present space station, the ISS, to be valuable as a zero gravity laboratory, and its current microgravity environment was a conscious choice." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotating_wheel_space_station "In order to assess and characterize influences and effects of the centrifuge relative to human reactions, mechanical dynamic responses and influences, the demonstration of a similar centrifuge first would be tested on the ISS. If produced, this centrifuge would have been the first in-space demonstration of sufficient scale for artificial partial-g effects.[1] The demonstrator would be sent using a single Delta IV or Atlas V launcher. The full cost of such a demonstrator would be between US$83 million and US$143 million." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautilus-X#ISS_centrifuge_demonstration

Suppose the centrifuge is only for sleeping, maybe 20 feet in diameter, with evenly spaced sleeping compartments to stay balanced, low-mass structures suspended by cables from the hub. Since it is low-mass only a small amount of counter-rotation thrust is needed for the ISS. If people could sleep in 1g that would be a health improvement.

This is something I can't figure out. Why don't they add a module that has a big centrifuge so the astronauts can work in 1G gravity? Or at least they can sleep and recreate in 1G. The ISS is like a big tinker toy where modules of all shapes and sizes can be attached. Why not attach such a centrifuge?

When I think of the "Trump-Russia Collusion" question, I'd prefer a new term "alliance". All it required was a brief meeting of the minds of Trump and Putin, an alliance. At that time Putin may have simply said to Trump "We will help you win the election, but we want you to be nice to us and ease off the sanctions." And Trump simply answered "Yeah, sure." That is all the "collusion" or conspiracy that may have taken place. That is all that is needed. That is why Trump keeps repeating over and over again "No collusion" because between him and Putin, all it took was a single brief meeting of the minds. MAYBE the Mueller investigation will never turn up evidence of "collusion" because Trump and friends worked diligently at not leaving evidence for collusion or conspiracy. There could be more evidence for criminal conspiracy that Mueller has not revealed yet. Hopefully Mueller will make a dump of findings well in advanced of the midterm elections. Trump is united with Putin in more than one way. The way Russian intelligence works, as described by an x-CIA agent, is influence by the acronym "MICE". M is for MONEY, I is for IDEOLOGY, C is for COERSION, and E is for EGO. Every one of these methods may easily apply to Trump. Trump is even ideologically united with Putin, because as a real estate tycoon, undisputed ruler of a big private company, Trump is an oligarch. "Oligarchy ....is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. These people might be distinguished by nobility, wealth, family ties, education or corporate, religious or military control. Such states are often controlled by families who typically pass their influence from one generation to the next, but inheritance is not a necessary condition for the application of this term. Throughout history, oligarchies have often been tyrannical, relying on public obedience or oppression to exist. " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligarchy

By recognizing WHERE the attack is coming from, WHAT the objective of the attack is, and WHEN (leading to the midterm elections). For people who rely on Facebook for their news, simply be skeptical about stories favoring the GOP and/or attacking the Dems. When the US Navy broke the Japanese code in 1942, they knew where the enemy was coming from and their objective, Midway, and when. So an ambush is possible. "The news always says the Russians interfered with the US elections to sew chaos in democracies." But they will not say Putin is doing his best to keep his guy in office.

After the Russia elections Trump called Putin to congratulate him on having the powers of a dictator. "I'm proud of you Vlad, I would like the powers you have!" We would not have known about this if the Kremlin did not report it and some details were not leaked to the press. After Xi of China takes power for life, Trump remarked that was a good idea. "I'm proud of you Xi, I would like to have power for life!" We can only assume Trump envies Kim Jong-Un for his absolute power, as a "smart cookie". The House Intelligence Committee reached the conclusion that although Russia interfered with the US elections, it was NOT in favor or Trump. That is at odds with all the US intelligence agencies, and should seem obviously false to anyone following the story and Trump's predictable defense of Putin. Why does the news, including CNN and MSNBC, not simply say "Russia is fighting FOR TRUMP?" Putin wants his puppet to remain in power. The news always says the Russians interfered with the US elections to merely sew chaos in democracies. Why not say that Putin is doing everything he can to keep Trump in power? Putin will continue to interfere in the US midterm elections to help Republican congress retain majorities. That will keep Trump safe from impeachment. If we know the Russians are coming, and we know who they are helping (GOP), why can we not ambush them?

Wow, you selected "The Monster" by Steppenwolf!!! In my junior year in high school (in 1971) we had to do a team project. My 3-man team made a 20 minute movie in which we used the song "The Monster". We passed out to the class the words to the song "The Monster". Our movie was called "Progress...the Monster". It was about environmental degradation. We used pictures from our history book for scenes from America's past. What am I listening to now? I discovered this new song by Hollie Cook "Angel Fire" and it brings tears to my eyes. Enjoy!!!

Just rent a room. Do you have your own car?

Michel, very interesting. Could you tell me how you were able to insert your hand-sketch in your post? I'd like to try that.

Is dark energy the result of a total vacuum beyond our visual horizon? A total vacuum would accelerate expansion and maybe explain dark flow. There is no total vacuum anywhere we can see. What do you think?

How about a skin of solar cells all over the blimp that heats the air inside instead of a gas burner? Or the solar cells heat up helium so it is more boyant, but not hot enough to ignite the helium?