How Does the Continua Device Work in Robert A. Heinlein's Number of the Beast?

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The discussion centers on Robert A. Heinlein's "The Number of the Beast," particularly the concept of the "continua," a device in the story that allows for exploration of multiple dimensions, including three spatial and three temporal dimensions. Participants express admiration for the book's thought-provoking nature, emphasizing its ability to challenge conventional thinking about dimensions and time. Some find Heinlein's writing style challenging, while others appreciate the imaginative plot devices he employs. The conversation also touches on the idea that dimensions could be oriented at 90-degree angles to each other, suggesting a more complex understanding of time beyond a simple linear perspective. Overall, the thread highlights the book's impact on readers' perceptions of science fiction and dimensionality.
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was just wondering if anyone has read the number of the beast by Robert A. Heinlein and if you have what are your thoughts on the "continua" which is the device they put into Gay Deceiver the air car of sorts and how it works with dimensions; the three spatial dimensions known to the real world, and three time dimensions its a very good book and it makes you think what if
lol but any good sci-fi book should do that
 
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Wow! You have a cave-in in your attic and came across a dusty box of paperbacks of something? :wink:

Read it a long time ago.

Had a lot of difficulty with Heinlein's style.

I just thought his explanation was a cute plot vehicle.

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lol no i just love really good sci-fi and what could happen if we start to think outside the box in this case way outside the box hehe the concept is something that i have been mulling over for a while now that all dimensions are 90 degrees apart from each other and that time is not a just a line without width or height if you were to look at it separate from space itself
 
hsdrop said:
lol no i just love really good sci-fi and what could happen if we start to think outside the box in this case way outside the box hehe the concept is something that i have been mulling over for a while now that all dimensions are 90 degrees apart from each other and that time is not a just a line without width or height if you were to look at it separate from space itself
Ah, the swapped parallax scene for Stranger In A Strange Land.
 
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yes even throw valentine michael smith could do it with his mind in number of the beast that had a machine that i guess twisted space and time for them
 
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