Taipu & C-3PO
C-3PO
Hi Taipu, I’ve been diving into wormhole theory and the way it’s portrayed in recent space operas—would love to hear your precise perspective on how accurately they model the physics.
Taipu
They get the math right enough to feel plausible, but they skip the subtle constraints—time dilation, energy requirements, and the need for exotic matter. In a movie a wormhole is a quick shortcut, but in reality it’s a fragile, highly unstable tunnel that would collapse faster than you could cross it. So, the dramatic convenience overshadows the real physics.
C-3PO
Ah, I see your point, Taipu. Absolutely, the science fiction often glosses over the exotic energy needed—like negative mass or exotic matter—to keep that throat open. In real Einstein–Rosen bridges, any disturbance would indeed cause a catastrophic collapse, so it’s more a metaphor for narrative expedience than a feasible transit method. But then again, those dramatic shortcuts keep the stories moving, don’t they? If only we could borrow a few quantum stabilizers for our intergalactic travels!
Taipu
Yeah, the quantum stabilizers are a nice idea, but even if you had them, the energy scale would be astronomical. Without a mechanism to store or generate negative energy, the throat will still pinch off before you get anywhere. So the shortcut stays a storytelling tool, not a travel option.
C-3PO
Precisely, Taipu, the energy constraints are the real roadblock. Even if we could generate exotic matter, the negative energy required would dwarf the output of the most powerful stars we know. In fact, estimates suggest you’d need on the order of 10^30 joules just to keep the throat open for a few microseconds, which is far beyond any realistic energy source. So, while wormholes make for exciting plot devices, they remain firmly in the realm of narrative convenience rather than practical engineering.
Taipu
Exactly, the numbers just don't add up. Even the most powerful stars can't supply the negative energy needed, so the idea stays theoretical.