Some random thoughts on Elements
In which I have S&S fannish thoughts and speculation on the Periodic Table, via, Wikipedia, sorry. (How can you not love S&S for this sort of thing?) Please note that my science is bad, my chemistry virtually non-existent, though I do know some reasonably basic GCSE Physics. (For instance, I vaguely remember enough to nod a bit when Steel takes himself to ridiculously low temperatures. And that steel is used in construction because it expands and contracts at the same rate as concrete. Well, I think. I don't know why I remember that, even if it's true. I do not think anyone has yet explored Steel's affinity with concrete, shock, horror. Although he does seem to be pretty good at the age of buildings, I suppose.)
1. As even I had (with my tiny bit of actual science) thought, Sapphire and Steel are not elements at all, the big fakes.
2. If there are actually 118 elements, including Transuranics, and even if there are 127 Operatives (including 12 Transuranics), does that mean that some real elements aren't being used in favour of gemstones and alloys? If so, which ones? (My thoughts: Is it just random ones who turned bad and have been replaced? Or there are some [about 10?] that are labelled as Transient. So, are those the Transient beings, and therefore Bad Elements stuck in the past, do not use? Also, maybe gases are excluded as impractical? It is quite hard to imagine the adventures of Oxygen and Helium. Obviously the powers of making people speak in high voices could be entertaining, though... Heh.)
3. [1 ] had kind of made me assume that actual characteristics of real elements wouldn't be much guide to the fictional ones, but actually Silver makes a lot more sense if you know the uses it has - it not only makes the bit with the light bulb explicable (well, for S&S.) but it is no wonder Silver is pleased with himself. If you have to be made out of one basic element of the fabric of the universe, silver is a very cool one to be. (You can even see from the info why Copper might easily have a problem with him. Other than him just being, well, Silver.) So, I need to look at Lead, too, now...
4. (I had this idea and was looking for a suitable Element to use, and then I was attacked by these other fannish thoughts, which is actually kind of encouraging).
5. Just think what the series could have been: Iodine and Praseodymium? Dysprosium and Terbium? :-D
6. Not really anything to do with the facts, but given what little I do know about steel, is there a really cranky, craggy Iron out there who regards Steel as a too-shiny upstart? (Actually, I think, this being S&S, Iron would be much, much more interesting than that. But it is an amusing thought.)
***
(And, yes, I'm sorry to my flist who don't do S&S, but anyway, you should go and watch it, and then you too can be fannish about the Periodic Table. And probably Joanna Lumley and David McCallum, but also the periodic table.) This is not under a cut, because it's not spoilery. And only serious in patches. Also I posted this in the past and am hoping for some Elements to come and sort me out for such triggery stuff.
1. As even I had (with my tiny bit of actual science) thought, Sapphire and Steel are not elements at all, the big fakes.
2. If there are actually 118 elements, including Transuranics, and even if there are 127 Operatives (including 12 Transuranics), does that mean that some real elements aren't being used in favour of gemstones and alloys? If so, which ones? (My thoughts: Is it just random ones who turned bad and have been replaced? Or there are some [about 10?] that are labelled as Transient. So, are those the Transient beings, and therefore Bad Elements stuck in the past, do not use? Also, maybe gases are excluded as impractical? It is quite hard to imagine the adventures of Oxygen and Helium. Obviously the powers of making people speak in high voices could be entertaining, though... Heh.)
3. [1 ] had kind of made me assume that actual characteristics of real elements wouldn't be much guide to the fictional ones, but actually Silver makes a lot more sense if you know the uses it has - it not only makes the bit with the light bulb explicable (well, for S&S.) but it is no wonder Silver is pleased with himself. If you have to be made out of one basic element of the fabric of the universe, silver is a very cool one to be. (You can even see from the info why Copper might easily have a problem with him. Other than him just being, well, Silver.) So, I need to look at Lead, too, now...
4. (I had this idea and was looking for a suitable Element to use, and then I was attacked by these other fannish thoughts, which is actually kind of encouraging).
5. Just think what the series could have been: Iodine and Praseodymium? Dysprosium and Terbium? :-D
6. Not really anything to do with the facts, but given what little I do know about steel, is there a really cranky, craggy Iron out there who regards Steel as a too-shiny upstart? (Actually, I think, this being S&S, Iron would be much, much more interesting than that. But it is an amusing thought.)
***
(And, yes, I'm sorry to my flist who don't do S&S, but anyway, you should go and watch it, and then you too can be fannish about the Periodic Table. And probably Joanna Lumley and David McCallum, but also the periodic table.) This is not under a cut, because it's not spoilery. And only serious in patches. Also I posted this in the past and am hoping for some Elements to come and sort me out for such triggery stuff.