this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2023
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[–] Hedgehog@lemmy.blahaj.zone 61 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Turns out it'd be a dissapointingly small sphere:

US annual defence budget = $800 billion

2% = $16 billion

Obsidian cost per kg = $5

Total kg in budget = 3.2 billion kg

Density of obsidian = 2.6 g/cm3 = 2600 kg/m3

Total volume of sphere = 3.2b/2600 = 1230769 m3

Volume of sphere = 4/3 π r^3

Radius = (3V/4π)^(1/3) = 66.48 m

The sphere would only stand at 133m tall, I propose we instead utilise the entire defence budget for a much more skyscraper like 490m tall orb

[–] lseif@sopuli.xyz 41 points 11 months ago

ignores engineering and construction cost. but we can assume that all people involved would work for free, because its a massive honour

[–] pokemaster787@ani.social 29 points 11 months ago

Well that's assuming it's completely solid and not hollow. Hollow would probably be pretty huge, although the structural rigidity might not be great. Maybe we make a giant obsidian 3D printer and print it at like 10-15% infill.

[–] SmoochyPit 18 points 11 months ago

2b2t players:

[–] BarrierWithAshes@kbin.social 17 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It would also crack instantly. Obsidian's not durable.

[–] lseif@sopuli.xyz 30 points 11 months ago

yeah right. it takes a long time to mine, even with a diamond pickaxe

[–] flicker@kbin.social 13 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Something one might propose to build in Night Vale.

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[–] Franzia@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 11 months ago

Thats funny because more than 2%, more like 40%, of our defense budget is going into a black orb never to be seen again and is completely unaccounted for.

[–] OtakuAltair@lemm.ee 8 points 11 months ago

Would be a far better use of the 'defense' budget than what they're currently spending it on.

[–] Blackout@kbin.social 6 points 11 months ago

Just imagine the size we could build if we used all of the defense budget. It's resonant frequency would blow the eardrums of everyone on the West Coast and kill all marine life. One day when I'm presadent...

[–] MNByChoice@midwest.social 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

How much is that in dollars?

https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/2022/12/16/congress-authorizes-8-defense-budget-increase/

$817 billion in Defense Department spending For 2022.

2% is then $16.34 billion.

How much of that on other units? Please add those below.

[–] MNByChoice@midwest.social 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] metaStatic@kbin.social 3 points 11 months ago

the only true currency.