It weighs less. It didn't have to be as thick as plexiglass or other alternatives. It was stronger.

That was the entire reason they had to have it to enclose the whales in STIV.

And get used to it because apparently it's become a reality.

 (PhysOrg.com) -- Oxford scientists have created a transparent form of aluminium by bombarding the metal with the world’s most powerful soft X-ray laser. 'Transparent aluminium' previously only existed in science fiction, featuring in the movie Star Trek IV, but the real material is an exotic new state of matter with implications for planetary science and nuclear fusion.

Well then why was it only used in aesthetically relevant sections of the piping and not the entire system? (Mind you, I'm not quibbling because I'm some Star Wars cultist or even convinced that all the 'science' in science fiction needs to be as realistic as possible. I'm quibbling because details like that were an extremely painful counterpoint to the good casting and generally good dialog in Abrams' Star Wreck.)

Cool news about the real zapped aluminium, but that pic only shows a transluscent substance, not a transparent one. Aerogels might be the more likely route to something super-strong and nearly invisible, maybe something like a diamond meringue.

C'mon thought, Transluscent Aluminium is at least on the right path. It's not like Scotty is there to dish the atomic structure to them or anything!

Perhaps you answered your own question.

Somewhat related to the OP, has everyone/anyone seen Fanboys? Fantastic look, if only for a short time, at the SW Vs ST theme....maybe a sequel where the "Star" fanboys crash a twilight event!

Or a movie where REAL Vampires crash a Twilight event. Just imagine a bunch of screaming Twiderps in glitter spray pissing their pants when they find themselves locked in a convention center for the night with a group of very real and very pissed vampires.

I still vote for either AT-ATs or Vorlons.

Maybe all we really need is for Edward to win at chess against Chewbacca!

What, you want a world ruled by militant furries?

As oposed to sparkly poorly spoken glee wannabe vamps? sure!

Dude, if the twi-twits could sing like the Glee kids, I'd come near to half-forgiving them.

But mainly I'm scared about just how many furries were in one spot. I was kinda hoping the whole world had fewer of them than the pic Po' posted... 

As you wish.

‘Twilight: The Musical’ Is Coming To New York City

You had me doubly-horrified there for a moment, until I read the chunk and saw that it is a parody and won't involve the faces from the flicks. If I felt as strongly about Twitlight as Scoutdog does about Avatar, I might try to see that show.

And no, not even paintball fun could get me into a furrie convention. Some of them might well enjoy being shot by Elmer Fudd, and I don't want to encourage them.

I thought they'd already made a spoof of that series... I think it was called "Twilight".

Two things. I for one think "TwiLite" is a funnier spelling, and my thing with AVATAR is partly because it actually had a number of redeeming qualities, not that it was 100% bad.

And George sweeps in with The Win!!! lol

Ohh myyy, a twilight musical.

Agreed, except for All in the Family. (not titled that in the UK, but based on a show there)

edit: unless you were talking specifically about SyFy(damn, I hate that name switch) and not Hollywood in general, in which case I completely agree.