Is it possible to run as fast as a car?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the possibility of enhancing human running speed to approach that of a car, considering both physical and chemical enhancements. Participants examine various methods and technologies that could theoretically allow for increased maximum speed without relying solely on natural human physiology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose the idea of using physical or chemical enhancements to allow humans to run at higher speeds, akin to fictional characters like the Flash.
  • One participant references doping in sports as a potential method for enhancing speed, suggesting that it could increase maximum running velocity.
  • A participant discusses the concept of using a bicycle as a form of physical enhancement, noting its ability to magnify velocity through gears and provide support for muscle load.
  • Another idea presented involves designing advanced hip replacements that could allow for greater leg mobility, potentially enabling speeds exceeding 100 mph.
  • A participant humorously mentions aerodynamic body morphing technology, suggesting that altering body shape could theoretically improve speed, while also acknowledging the ethical implications of such modifications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of ideas and hypotheses, but there is no consensus on the feasibility or ethical implications of the proposed enhancements. Multiple competing views remain regarding the methods and technologies that could be employed.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on speculative technologies and assumptions about human physiology and biomechanics. The discussion includes references to existing technologies and theoretical concepts without resolving the practical limitations or ethical considerations involved.

ARC123
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By run fast I don't mean if the human body can handle it, I mean is there a way to allow a human to reach that speed while running(sort of like the flash)either using some kind of physical or chemical enhancement. Maybe not as fast as a car but some way to increase their max speed without having long legs.
 
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A bicycle would be cheating, I suppose? Thing is, a bike does exactly what's need. It enables you to use Gears as a Velocity Magnifier and it provides your muscles with the highest load for a given leg speed (matching). Some equivalent arrangement of levers, fixed to the legs (a bit like blades but using upper and lower limb muscles) could provide velocity magnification but you would need a lot of skill to avoid falling over.
 
ARC123 said:
By run fast I don't mean if the human body can handle it, I mean is there a way to allow a human to reach that speed while running(sort of like the flash)either using some kind of physical or chemical enhancement. Maybe not as fast as a car but some way to increase their max speed without having long legs.

Good question!

I would call "a bicycle" a physical enhancement.

Cycling speed records [wiki]
The highest speed officially recorded for any human-powered vehicle (HPV) on level ground and with calm winds and without external aids (such as motor pacing and wind-blocks, but including a defined amount of gravity assist) is 133.78 km/h (83.13 mph) set in 2013 by Sebastiaan Bowier in the VeloX3, a streamlined recumbent bicycle.

We already have hip replacement technology. I'm sure that you could design some sort of out of this world, next-gen, hip replacement design that allowed the legs to rotate 360 degrees.

That, along with AT's doping idea, will surely break 100 mph.

ps. There's also aerodynamic body morphing technology that has been around for centuries. But smooshing your babies head between two boards might get you put in jail nowadays. [ref]
 
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OmCheeto said:
ps. There's also aerodynamic body morphing technology that has been around for centuries. But smooshing your babies head between two boards might get you put in jail nowadays. [ref]
Oh dear!
 
sophiecentaur said:
Oh dear!
Praying there are no tiger-mom/dads looking at this thread right now...

"So, if I smoosh my baby, to about an inch thick, their aerodynamic profile would get them over 200 mph! Sweet!"

:biggrin:
 

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