On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 08:08:16AM -0500, Grimmund wrote:
> You're conflating mechanical suspension with field operation.

Plenty of fields do not need any power to maintain.

Also, *you're* conflating "requires power in the vehicle design" with
"requires power to carry out any part of its function whatsoever".
Compare the following two paragraphs:

In the ordinary course of driving a car, the wheels need to be
supplied with power.  This is required for accelerating, maintaining
speed against friction, and for gaining altitude (when driving up
hills).  The wheels also prevent the underbody of the car from
crashing into the ground.  Vehicle design systems do not explicitly
state whether the wheels need power to carry out the latter part of
their function.  It is assumed that people know that they don't.

In the ordinary course of driving a grav vehicle, the grav plates need
to be supplied with power.  This is required for accelerating,
maintaing speed against friction, and for gaining altitude.  The grav
plates also prevent the underbody of the vehicle from crashing into
the ground.  Vehicle design systems do not explicitly state whether
the grav plates need power to carry out the latter part of their
function.  Unfortunately this time it cannot be assumed that people
know whether or not they do, because it's imaginary magical
technology.

Hence this whole discussion, with half the people claiming that the
laws of physics say that they have to consume power, while the other
half explains why that's not true (and irrelevant in any case because
it's imaginary magical technology).

- Tim