Smuggler Archive
Thread: I made the Kessel run in .12 parsecs
Mought1971
Mon May 16, 2005 9:06 am
#14
Ireadsomewhere the real reason the term "Parsec" was used is that Lucas wanted to use a science-fictiony term to convey speed, and wound up using the wrong one. Then when people realized it was the wrong term, someone wrote a book explaining it away. Kinda like Trekkies do when you point out inconsistencies in their universe. Those nerds. 
But then, this exact topic (along with "Han shot first") has caused the slaughter of millions of baby kittens so perhaps we best let it die...
CapnKate
Mon May 16, 2005 6:31 pm
#15
Mought1971 wrote:I read somewhere the real reason the term "Parsec" was used is that Lucas wanted to use a science-fictiony term to convey speed, and wound up using the wrong one. Then when people realized it was the wrong term, someone wrote a book explaining it away. Kinda like Trekkies do when you point out inconsistencies in their universe. Those nerds.But then, this exact topic (along with "Han shot first") has caused the slaughter of millions of baby kittens so perhaps we best let it die...
Nah. Here's the excerpt from the script itself:
------------------------
HAN: Han Solo. I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells
me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system.
BEN: Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.
HAN: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?
BEN: Should I have?
HAN: It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve
parsecs!
Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with
obvious misinformation.
HAN: (continued) I've outrun Imperial starships, not the local
bulk-cruisers, mind you. I'm talking about the big Corellian ships
now. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?
ChiiTWINS
Mon May 16, 2005 6:43 pm
#16
Everyone knows they can change scripts.
I've always gone with the theory that Lucas screwed up, and then tried to cover his tracks. 
WesBelden
Mon May 16, 2005 6:57 pm
#17
CapnKate wrote:
Actually, while that is one *theory* as to why it's measured in parsecs(another being that in skimming around the Maw, the closer you cut it to the event horizons, the shorter the distance is), George Lucus has stated in answering this question that Han was trying to BS a couple of dustball moisture-farmer yokels(Luke and Obi-Wan). In fact, after hearing this answer, and watching that scene again, Obi-Wan appears to have a distinctly amused expression in regards to Solo's claim of 12 parsecs. This is apparently even in the script.
He're the official data entry on the topic. Last paragraph. It also discusses other explanations of the measurement.
http://www.starwars.com/databank/location/kessel/?id=bts
Also, Apollyon, as a MSW, I'm about 95% sure I can get a YT to move faster, though i favor a Nova, myself.
I posted this over in your thread in Shipwright if you want the details.
Message Edited by CapnKate on 05-15-2005 05:41 PM
Heh heh... that seems to fit far better in my book... we know he wasa good pilot, but really, astronavigator? Where's itshown Solo was great at maths? ...
A quick burst of the FastTalk™ seems far more likely and far moreSmugglery!
Katzentatze
Tue May 17, 2005 6:18 am
#18
Hm. i dont have Boosters yet, but my Medium Blacksun Fighterhas Top Speed 955, with a playercrafted Engine.
Meh, i want Master...
Jongar_Darkcrest
Tue May 17, 2005 6:37 am
#19
first of all, no point, he ran it in TWELVE parsecs, not POINT-TWELVE!
Parsecs is a measurement of distance. The Maw is a bunch of black holes in between the Smuggler's Run. The closer you get to the black holes, the more parsecs you get. What Han did was basically get so close to the black holes that he almost got himself killed. He got TWELVE PARSECS to them! Btw, he wasn't BSing you morons, read the damn books. Oh, and also, he didn't do the math, all smuggler's have a computer that measures the distance you get to the black holes.
Message Edited by Jongar_Darkcrest on 05-17-2005 09:38 AM
DanteTheMagnificent
Tue May 17, 2005 8:19 am
#20
Jongar:
Easssssy big fella. Down boy! No "moron" slinging 'round these parts.
Read the link posted earlier in the thread that goes to starwars.com - I think I'd have to go with what Lucas says, since it's his material after all. And if the book(s) to which you refer are EU, they can't even begin to be considered canon.
Personally I think the best solution is to stop debating the semantics involved behind one line of dialogue from a movie that's almost 30 years old, and go out and share a round of brew instead.
Jongar_Darkcrest
Tue May 17, 2005 3:15 pm
#21
didn't you listen to Scarborough last night, George Lucas is a commy 
i actually laughed, because he's so cool, and he was just having fun
DoMakk
Tue May 17, 2005 7:39 pm
#23
Nicolas_Frost wrote:
I've always said I thought Han was just trying to BS the two of them.
Han was BSing them, that's why old Ben was rolling his eyes.
it IS like saying I did the 400m run in 330m!
Nicolas_Frost
Tue May 17, 2005 9:26 pm
#24
DoMakk wrote:
Nicolas_Frost wrote:
I've always said I thought Han was just trying to BS the two of them.
Han was BSing them, that's why old Ben was rolling his eyes.it IS like saying I did the 400m run in 330m!
That's why I thought that.
Nicolas_Frost
Wed May 18, 2005 12:14 am
#25
Jongar_Darkcrest wrote:
first of all, no point, he ran it in TWELVE parsecs, not POINT-TWELVE!Parsecs is a measurement of distance. The Maw is a bunch of black holes in between the Smuggler's Run. The closer you get to the black holes, the more parsecs you get. What Han did was basically get so close to the black holes that he almost got himself killed. He got TWELVE PARSECS to them! Btw, he wasn't BSing you morons, read the damn books. Oh, and also, he didn't do the math, all smuggler's have a computer that measures the distance you get to the black holes.Message Edited by Jongar_Darkcrest on 05-17-2005 09:38 AM
If you're going to be nit-picky and insulting, you might as well get your own facts straight. Han didn't say twelve parsecs, he said less than twelve parsecs. Plus, you might wanna look here to see what George Lucas had to say about that little bit of dialogue.
Sucks when you correct someone just to be corrected yourself, doesn't it?
Alpha_Bits
Wed May 18, 2005 12:16 am
#26
I agree with ChiiTWINS. Lucas was covering up his ignorance.
And Han shot first.