Exactly, the technology for anonymous virtual currency already exists. But the Govt would never back such a complete anonymity. Taxation, the backbone of the govt, would be tough to enforce. Hawalas and scammers would enjoy. Now if somewhere to develop a semi-anonymous currency (like cash, with enough effort, you could probably trace it), then we probably can hope for Govt backing.
The problem with this argument is that it assumes there is but one government. Why shouldn't a small nation somewhere choose to offer financial advantages in order to lure business to its locale? (Hint: Several already do.) Why shouldn't this extend potentially to anonymous currency? If there is enough benefit to the nation (infusion of capital, prestige, whatever), then it just might happen.
You measure your house in square feet....would be easier to picture that and add another dimension.
One square foot packed from floor to ceiling is about one cubic meter. One medium-sized bedroom is about 100 square feet (maybe 120, but close enough for this purpose). So if you packed your stuff from floor to ceiling with no packing materials and no waste of space, could you fit it in half of a bedroom? If so, you've got under 50 cubic meters of stuff. If not, you've got more.
All the elements of the periodic table are on Earth too, you know
Not necessarily... there may exist natural elements in other environments that are not found anywhere in this solar system. All we know is that for the elements we've discovered so far, there are no gaps. There may also be previously undiscovered isotopes of elements that we do know about.
I am all for space exploration, but we know about all isotopes from right here on earth. From right here on earth, we can study stable isotopes, isotopes so light that their half lives are fractionths of a second, and isotopes so heavy that their half lives are fractionths of a second. Isotopic abundances will vary by location, but the properties of the individual isotopes will be the same.
Proper science is ALWAYS based upon SI units, not imperial units.
Interesting. I just learned tonight from reading
Machines have less problems. I'd like to be a machine. -- Andy Warhol