Lost In Solitude: March 2011

Article of the Day

Self-Replicating Spacecraft

A self-replicating spacecraft is an entity that would, in theory, be able to travel to a neighboring star-system and extract raw materials from celestial bodies to create replicas of itself. Such replicas could then be sent to other star systems, repeating the process in an exponentially increasing pattern. Using relatively conventional theoretical methods of interstellar travel, how long would it take for self-replicating spacecrafts to spread throughout the Milky Way Galaxy? More... Discuss

Article of the Day provided by The Free Dictionary

This Day in History

The Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)

Early in the American Revolution and soon after the battles of Lexington and Concord, colonial troops laid siege to Boston. When they began occupying hills overlooking the city, newly reinforced British troops attacked. After two failed assaults, a third charge dislodged the Americans, who had run out of gunpowder. Though the British technically won, their unexpectedly heavy casualties were a psychological blow, and American morale soared. On what hill was the battle actually fought—and why? More... Discuss

This Day in History provided by The Free Dictionary

Today's Birthday

Charles François Gounod (1818)

Gounod was French composer who also studied for the priesthood and worked as an organist. Throughout his life, he remained torn between the theatre and the church. His reputation largely rests on his hugely popular 1859 opera, Faust, but he also wrote 15 lesser-known operas, 17 masses, more than 150 songs, and two symphonies. One of his short pieces, "Funeral March of a Marionette," became well-known—albeit not by name—as the theme to what popular TV show beginning in the 1950s? More... Discuss

Today's Birthday provided by The Free Dictionary

In the News

Play gyrate discuss
Definition:	(verb) Revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis.
Synonyms:	spin, reel, whirl
Usage:	The airplane gyrated about in the sky in a most alarming fashion.