Could Natural Human Flight Become a Reality?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of natural human flight, exploring the definitions of "natural" and the feasibility of such flight within the constraints of physics. Participants engage with both fictional concepts and the implications of physical laws.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the definition of "natural" in the context of human flight and whether the discussion pertains to reality or fantasy.
  • One participant argues that human flight, as depicted in fiction (e.g., Superman), violates fundamental physical laws, making it impossible for humans to fly without mechanical aids.
  • Another participant suggests that the only way for humans to achieve flight without aids would be in a denser medium, such as a different planet's atmosphere or underwater, but notes that these scenarios present their own challenges, such as breathing.
  • Links to external resources are provided that list various fictional methods of flight, indicating interest in exploring imaginative concepts.
  • A participant raises a concern that the thread may not align with the forum's rules, suggesting a potential issue with the topic's appropriateness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views on the feasibility of natural human flight and differing interpretations of what constitutes "natural." The discussion remains unresolved regarding the possibility of such flight within the laws of physics.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions of key terms and the implications of physical laws on the concept of flight. The discussion also highlights the challenges of achieving flight without mechanical assistance.

moonknight94
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How would you think natural human flight would be possible?
 
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What do you mean by "natural" and is the context of possibility within or without physics(i.e., reality or fantasy)?
 
Bandersnatch said:
What do you mean by "natural" and is the context of possibility within or without physics(i.e., reality or fantasy)?
Like how superman can fly without machines he can just fly naturally. And fiction of course but if you think it's possible (like I do) then please feel free to explain :)
 
Superman violates a number of physical laws when he flies. From conservation of energy and momentum, to fundamental forces interactions. As such his flying is hardly natural.

If you want a human being on Earth to fly in air(other than by falling) without any aids, i.e., "as is", then it's not possible. We have no way of generating enough lift to counteract the gravitational attraction of Earth. We're too heavy and our limbs are too aerodynamic to push enough air mass downwards to keep us afloat.
Look at birds and all the evolutionary changes that were required to allow them to fly. From huge paddle-like upper limbs to catch more air in a stroke, hollow bones to reduce mass, special skeletal structures to attach the flight musculature to, and modified breathing apparatus to maintain the supply of air.

The best we can do is find some denser medium in which the force of buoyancy would suffice. It could be some very dense atmosphere on some other planet, or it could be water on Earth. In both cases a human effectivelly floats, and can "fly" i.e., swim.
Of course, we couldn't/can't breathe then, so it's not a perfect solution either.
 

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