If a Portal appeared in front of you, would you step through it?

[lisab]

What was it LisaB once said? "The addict always thinks he can have just a little bit"...?

definitely sounds like something I'd say...!

...don't remember saying it though ...

 

[Chi Meson]

Thanks for the welcome back. Y'know, this place is like a bad addiction. You leave for a while, get over all the withdrawal symptoms, move on with your life, then pop in for just "one hit" and the addiction kicks in all over again.

Moderation, that's the key.

Notice my post count. And I'm among the oldest members still around! (August '03!).

and Zdenka, this is not the "serious forum."

 

[Gnosis]

I have actually thought about this since it was a scenario in a few sci-fi/fantasy books I've read.

If the portal was noticeably "shrinking" so it would be safe to assume it was a one way trip. No.

On the other hand, a stable portal would just be too enticing not to at least test it by sticking roaches into it and seeing if they could be pulled back alive. Using a camera on a wand or even one of those camera robots, possibly equipped with a quantum cascade laser to test the atmosphere would be good.

I look at it in much the same light as you, Evo however, if I were still married to my loser ex-wife and a portal suddenly opened, I'm fairly certain I'd promptly jump in head first!

 

[Cyrus]

I once helped to put on a space summer camp for Cub Scouts. It's a long story, but in the end we had these kids pumped for the appearance of an alien spacecraft , which I was glad to provide using a weather balloon [a big one!] disguised as a mother ship, flashing lights, etc. As the mother ship rose [controlled by fish lines that Tsu and I held in secret], I looked up to see a wall of almost 100 kids running madly across the field to see the ship. They were out of control! It was hilarious.

It took a better part of a half hour to find the three kids that ran the other direction. We all concluded that this was a good example of Darwinism at work.

Words can't describe how awesome and hilarious that is. I can't imagine a bunch of kids running around.

 

[mgb_phys]

Imagine someday when you're going about your daily life, a Portal suddenly appears in front of you.. ... My question is: Would You Jump Through it?

That's how I ended up on this *!%$*& planet in the first place!

 

[turbo]

When I was a kid, I built a "UFO" out of a thin plastic laundry bag, soda straws for a frame, and heated by birthday-cake candles. I launched it from my backyard after sunset on a cold winter day, then when it gained enough altitude to get up into the sunlight, it simply gleamed. I ran around the neighborhood pounding on doors to get other kids to come out and see the "UFO". Eventually, I told them the truth, but it was fun for a while.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

When I was a kid, I built a "UFO" out of a thin plastic laundry bag, soda straws for a frame, and heated by birthday-cake candles. I launched it from my backyard after sunset on a cold winter day, then when it gained enough altitude to get up into the sunlight, it simply gleamed. I ran around the neighborhood pounding on doors to get other kids to come out and see the "UFO". Eventually, I told them the truth, but it was fun for a while.

I used an eight-foot diameter weather balloon. IIRC. it took an entire H tank of helium. From there I just dressed it up with black plastic, and lights. It was all part the story of the great war between the Vorgons and the Be-gones, that had evolved over the week.

The next day while we were starting the clean-up, we had ~thirty people talking like Mickey Mouse.

Interestingly, during the week of the camp, NASA made the first announcement that ancient life may have been discovered in a martian meteorite. As I made the announcement, the looks on the faces of the kids and the parents was priceless. Everyone thought it must be some kind of joke!

 

[tony134340]

Without a doubt, I would. They say curiosity kills the cat but it can also reap rewards. I would do it for Science. Oh yeah, and myself considering the money I could make from TV appearances and all.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Words can't describe how awesome and hilarious that is. I can't imagine a bunch of kids running around.

It was certainly one of memorable moments in life. We had a few minor injuries - skinned knees and elbows - and we had three scared kids hiding in the bushes, in the dark, in the forest, but in the end it was a huge hit and everyone loved it. It couldn't have been a more dramatic moment - a great finale to a great week.

In case the point was not clear in regards to the op: I think the three that ran the other direction were the smart ones - most likely to reproduce.

 

[Cyrus]

It was certainly one of memorable moments in life. We had a few minor injuries - skinned knees and elbows - and we had three scared kids hiding in the bushes, in the dark, in the forest, but in the end it was a huge hit and everyone loved it. It couldn't have been a more dramatic moment - a great finale to a great week.

In case the point was not clear in regards to the op: I think the three that ran the other direction were the smart ones - most likely to reproduce.

AHAHAHAH, see, you could never get away with anything like that these days. Kids need to be tramatized. It's good for them.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

AHAHAHAH, see, you could never get away with anything like that these days. Kids need to be tramatized. It's good for them.

Even then... it was an unexpected reaction. As the childwall moved towards me with parents and coordinators yelling to no avail - barely audible above the screams of the kids - I could see the scoutmaster looking pie-eyed and holding his head in his hands. On my side of things, I think my heart nearly stopped as I saw the first kid tumble.

 

[Cyrus]

Even then... it was an unexpected reaction. As the childwall moved towards me with parents and coordinators yelling to no avail - barely audible above the screams of the kids - I could see the scoutmaster looking pie-eyed and holding his head in his hands. On my side of things, I think my heart nearly stopped as I saw the first kid tumble.

If only you had filmed that, you would be cashing in on Americas Funniest Home Videos.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

If only you had filmed that, you would be cashing in on Americas Funniest Home Videos.

Heh, no kidding! In fact I don't know that someone didn't film it. We probably had about 150 adults with cameras and videos. I never thought to ask.

No doubt though that I had the best perspective of anyone.

I had also rebuilt a life-sized, remote-controlled robot that interacted with the kids all week. I operated it from behind the stage. I was so busy and it was so hectic that I hever even got a photograph of it.

I once drove through town with the robot tied up in the back of my truck, standing upright, and screaming for help.

 

[turbo]

Addressing the OP: If I was single, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Knowing nothing about a portal, I couldn't possible do it today because I have a wife and responsibilities.

 

[Unknot]

Might make sense to send in some dogs on leashes... and see what they bring back or whether the leashes instantaneously combust.

 

[turbo]

Might make sense to send in some dogs on leashes... and see what they bring back or whether the leashes instantaneously combust.

Not dogs! I love dogs! Throw some cats through, maybe...

 

[OAQfirst]

Not dogs! I love dogs! Throw some cats through, maybe...

You don't have to throw cats through it! Just put them down in front of it and give them a few minutes.

If I go through, packing list so far:
three Days rations
swimwear
sunblock
Rubik's Cube
American Express Travelers Cheques
iPod Touch
two rolls toilet paper
6 boxes of Durex Sensi-Thin
Irish coin collection
passport
emergency sewing thread & needle
black licorice (hate the stuff, but might sell/barter well enough)
couple boxes of Mexican jumping beans
first season of Lost on DVD
Life-size cutout of Gillian Anderson

 

[Evo]

If I go through, packing list so far:
three Days rations
swimwear
sunblock
Rubik's Cube
American Express Travelers Cheques
iPod Touch
two rolls toilet paper
6 boxes of Durex Sensi-Thin
Irish coin collection
passport
emergency sewing thread & needle
black licorice (hate the stuff, but might sell/barter well enough)
couple boxes of Mexican jumping beans
first season of Lost on DVD
Life-size cutout of Gillian Anderson

 

[physics girl phd]

Huzzah! Moonbear is back!

I'll confess to being an impulsive jumper by nature. The funky dancing also sounds like a great idea too though. I'm not getting enough funky dancing nowadays.

Evo really has the most logical approach however, and I'll keep that in my back pocket should such an opportunity REALLY present itself.

 

[Zdenka]

Lots of interesting responses, folks! I'm jumping in without money, because if an Alien civilization is advanced enough to open a wormhole, then they won't need money as they only do things to better themselves.

 

[OAQfirst]

Lots of interesting responses, folks! I'm jumping in without money, because if an Alien civilization is advanced enough to open a wormhole, then they won't need money as they only do things to better themselves.

Early reports today confirmed that the zfRigdayoi people of the planet Riglhug 2 pinned their last great hope of survival, and their last currency note, on the Salvtyunigni Portal, praying that someone or something from the distant planet Earth might venture through and assist them with rebuilding their economy. While examining Earth transmissions, their highly skilled linguists suggested that the Earthling Burn Hard M'aduff [approximate translation] might be just what they're looking for, given the popular focus on him in Earth "Nooz shose." It was hoped that this M'aduff might be near the portal and curious enough to step through, at which point he would be offered a leading position in the planet's economic management programs.