The Pragamatist

As for actual mechanical advice I cannot help. I too am an aspiring inventor with much to learn, but with the ambition to succeed in learning it. I will say this though: As a fellow inventor I have done quite a bit of research on the big break throughs in the past. The one thing they all seem to have in common is that other folks prior to the devices creation said that it could not be done. As scientists, engineers, hobbyists, and inventors it is our job to prove that it can be done. Do not listen to people who say that something is not possible. They are naysayers who are trying to reassure themselves of their own intellect, unaware that they risk doing the exact opposite should the person prove them wrong. Keep up with what you are doing, that is my advice to you.

Make no mistake I'm not adverse to spending money on space missions. Especially if it involves traveling to other planets. Part of the reason the spending is so high is because the money goes to ridiculous things that are on par with this (I'm trying to be funny and serious here). If we could stop spending it on ridiculous things with little practical value (A whole subject of debate in itself mind you) we probably could fully accomplish things like space colonization and interplanetary travel. On the other hand I am adverse to giving someone 1/32 of the world's yearly spending for the next twenty years because they think they can replicate a working ship from a science fiction series. There have been aircraft that were specifically designed for space travel that have failed miserably due to one miscalculation or another. This person thinks that a ship designed for TV entertainment can actually fly. Now, to be fair I'm not saying it couldn't. But I would most certainly not place any chips on it. For the price of one trillion dollars, I would be very sure my funding was going to something practical. But if he were to spend his own money and make the vessel actually work, then I would definitely feel like something akin to a jack-ass all the while praising the man for attempting the absurd and achieving the impossible.

I'm curious to see how creative everyone can get: What rhymes with purple? What word do you think rhymes with purple?

I always love reading stuff like this. Not because of the humor in it, but I like to see science fiction that is precursor to science fact. I'm not even going to pretend to understand all of the technical stuff behind a working starship enterprise. I'm not a top ranking NASA engineer, and even if I were it is not my place to tell someone that something cannot be done. Afterall look what happened between Edison and Tesla. You really have to be careful who you put down. Now, on the other hand, the guy is asking for 50 BILLION dollars (That's 50,000 million to put it in perspective) A YEAR for the next twenty years to build a working version of a fictional ship from a sci fi movie. That sounds like a complete waste of money that could be spent on something much more efficient. I get sick to my stomach thinking of someone spending money like that on such a foolhardy pursuit. I get even more sick thinking that someone might actually be willing to donate money to the guy for it. But again, I'm no expert on aeronautical engineering, but I'd like to think I have enough sense to see that 50 billion dollars a year for 20 years (A total of a trillion dollars) would be better spent elsewhere... Then again, this might help explain why the USA is so far in debt. But that's a joke for another thread. -The Pragamatist

Okay, this can get very technical so to answer your questions in the most literal way possible: "Yes, you can make any game in C++". However, it's not as simple as sitting down, typing a few code lines, and then expecting a game where you can beat up people, steal their cars, and implement hot coffee mods. There is a LOT of work that goes into making a videogame. Especially one of GTA IV and soon to be V, calibur. There are many people with varying skills who get together (typically hired by a large organization such as Rockstar in this case) and collaborate. As you may know the writers develop the story, the artists draw out the fancy pictures, the designers come up with the ideas, and the developers put it all together. That is the process in a small nutshell. It can either be very complex or as simple as I have stated it to be. It really just depends on the scope of the project. If you want GTA level games, expect it to be a little complex. (I haven't even mentioned the licensing fees and all the other legal jargon such as merchandising rights, advertising, etc.) Now to get to the point: The developers can be broken down into several different categories, which can vary depending on how the lead designer organizes the project. Most generally you have the programmers, the 3D modelers, and the level designers. Again, this is keeping it pretty simple too. The 3D modelers build the models using pre-existing software that COULD have been written in C++, but some company somewhere went through a similar process as the game creators just to make the software. Naturally it would be a huge waste of time and resources for both the company and the programmers to have to create software for 3D modeling from scratch when there are perfectly good programs that are already put together and marketed toward the game developers. Keep in mind this company is out to design the next best game, NOT necessarily the next generation of software. The level designers take the models that the modelers have built and integrate them into a "world" that made via special software. Much like, if not the same as, what the modelers use. In fact, it is possible that the level designer and modeler could be merged together and have one job. Though to me that sounds very inefficient. But enough on that, you get the idea. Now, the programmers are arguably the bread and butter of the game industry. I say this simply because I am an aspiring programmer by trade. Don't get offended people. Anyway, these guys bring the game to life in many ways. They could use special game engines that were also written in C++, or they could use other types of software, compilers and linkers to bring everything to life. In fact, it is also possible for a game to be written in multiple languages, depending on the skills and preferences of the programmers. It all depends on the software that is being used, who is doing the programming, and who is signing the checks and hiring the hot interns. Again, this is as summarized as I can get this without developing carpel tunnel syndrome. Yes, you can make games in C++. Yes, GTA like games can be made with C++. But if you're going to design games like GTA you're going to need some more know how, money, good software, and either an experts working knowledge of video game development and design and/or a good team. It is highly possible, profitable, and recently quite popular for indie game developers to create their own games. A group of friends get together with a working knowledge of programming, design, and business mechanics (optional but a good idea) and come up with a cool game idea, and then they create it! Next thing you know Angry Birds is being advertised everywhere and people can't get enough of it. It's simple, it's well designed, and most of all it is fun. There are no fancy game engines, no cutting edge graphics, and no ridiculous physics based alogorithms. I guess to sum it all up: Anything can be coded in c++ if it is a software of some type. But there are always more practical solutions than just sitting down, coming up with a program algorithm, opening up an IDE and coding line by line. If you want to know more just do some research, or PM me. I'm just really tired of typing now. Oh and in case you want to know if I'm not just blowing smoke: I have spent the past three years researching how video games are made and how to make them. I am currently in college as a computer science major and using the c++ programming language. I'd like to one day make my own game but I just don't have the time with classes and work, nor do I have the appropriate skill level or the resources... Yet. That is all. I promise. -The Pragamatist

I'm just gonna sum this up quick: As time goes on, things change. It is for the better in my opinion. I always hated referring to dinner as 'supper'. But I do agree that people should be more specific with amp. Is it an amplifier or one ampere? But that is just the electronics geek inside me talking. That being said it would be fairly easy to differentiate what they mean if it were used in a sentence. For example: "Check out this new amp I bought!" - Would most likely refer to an amplifier because how do you just buy one ampere of electricity and show it off? Whereas: "There's no current at all. My multimeter won't even give me a single amp." - Note the keywords current and multimeter. This should be pretty indicative of what the person is talking about.

I've heard of crazier things honestly. I remember watching television a while back and one women claimed to have learned english by watching CNN. But as the rest have said, you probably won't attain fluency until you start speaking it. I say that because there are people who were raised to speak only english and they are still a far cry from fluency. Just look at the status updates on your facebook if you doubt me. As for what you are doing I think it is a great idea; but only as a supplement. Go out to a french restaurant or find someone who speaks french and attempt to hold a conversation. Watch videos in french with english subtitles. Get a feel for how the language is actually spoken and then start trying to introduce new words. I'm not much a french speaker myself so I can't say for sure how the language works, but I know it can be broken down into a science. Get creative, start studying, and start applying. Sooner or later you'll be able to hold a conversation in french and impress all your friends, put it on a resume as a second language spoken and be one step further in understanding a culture different from your own. All of which are positive things in my book. -The Pragamatist

This may sound harsh, but it is something to consider: If you freak out like that then you probably shouldn't be messing around with science. Now, that's not to say you should give up either. I love science, otherwise I wouldn't be on this site posting a reply to your post. I think science is a great thing for anyone to learn and it is very fortunate that you have such a passion for the field. We need more people learning about how things work and how to make them better! Now forgive me if I get a little corny here, but science is composed of many problems. As a scientist your job will be to solve those problems. From my perspective, you have a problem. Therefore it seems fair to say that as an aspiring scientist you should be able to solve this problem. I can assure you there will be many more problems besides just this one and you really shouldn't let it stop you. Now that the pep talk is over, let's talk about possible solutions: 1. Think about the end. Picture yourself where you want to be! Whether it's in the field researching new flora and fauna or in the lab testing some new reaction between chemicals or in the classroom tutoring the next generation, think about how great it would feel to see yourself there. Just remember that this is merely a step to getting there! It is not a roadblock that will terminally hinder you. 2. Ask for help. I know you're probably doing this already in real life, but keep it up. Talk to instructors and see if they can provide accomodations. Form study groups with the class to try and get an idea of how they handle their stress. See what other people do and see if it helps you. 3. Simulation - Yep, that's right! Create the test environment and try to solve your own stress! This may require talking to the instructor, but find some way to get ahold of a mock up test (tests preferably as you may need several to practice), set a time limit and start working on it. When you are finished, grade your answers or have someone else do it if you are collaborating. See how you did and try to solve your own problems. This is my favorite method personally but that's just because, well, I'm a pragamatist. And these are not the only options either. There many things you could do to solve this! Don't think of it as a problem, think of it as opportunity. -The Pragamatist

The following picture contains a list of sites that might also contain what you are looking for. Not all of them are for science mind you, but some of them do have sections devoted to science. Some of them give you the option of paying but they do have free versions as well. Take a look at them and you may find something else that intrigues you. After all: sometimes education can be its own reward.

This really sounds more like a job for Penn and Teller. But if I were to answer your question: "How do magic tricks work?" I'd have to say it is a fine amalgamation of theatrics, prestidigitation, applied sciences, human naiveté, and creativity. Chriss Angel just has a natural flair for fooling the simple minded. But it's not really fair to say that I guess, considering how it seems not one person can properly explain how he performs his superhuman acts. But on the other hand if he were to explain how he did his tricks it would seem so simple would it not? But I suppose that can be said for anything really. At any rate I'd start with trying to understand smaller tricks to get an idea of how the bigger ones work. Start with learning how to make a coin dissappear, or a card trick or something of the sort. You never know, you might even get a new hobby out of it it. -The Pragamatist

Salutations! My name is irrelevant as I am a firm believer in anonymity (though not necessarily "Anonymous") on the internet. I'll try to keep this short as I know most folks hate reading about other people. There are many things I wish to learn and I sometimes have a difficult time seeing how it all ties together. This problem mainly stems from not knowing anyone else in the real world who has any working knowledge of science or mathematics (Most of them are too busy getting punch drunk or watching Duck Dynasty). I would like for this forum to be a place I can go to learn new things, ask questions, and possibly answer them. I will be frank here too: This is NOT my first forum. I've been to several and most of them have been a huge let down for one reason or another (Mostly because the site MODS turned out to have swelled heads). I'm not saying I expect any special treatment, but I don't want to get in trouble for some ridiculous trumped-up esoteric site regulation. It's happened before and I assure you it is the quickest way to keep away new members. That being said, I am an easy person to talk to and would enjoy meeting new people on the site. Feel free to message me. Anything else can be read about me on my profile. Cheers! -The Pragamatist