Lots of spitballin' and throwing around buzzwords on this thread. Here's a thought:
SoL Limits - It's The Math
What makes theoretical travel by particles or people with mass to the speed of light is the math. As 'amitheone' points out, the equations require
the mass to approach infinity as the velocity approaches the SoL. Since our current appreciation for the concepts require math, it's
self-limiting.
No, It's The Paradigm
But the 'real' truth is that we are wrapped too tightly in our paradigm as three dimensional beings.
Just as a two-dimensional being can't go through a wall in his dimension, to a three dimensional being that line he sees as a wall is no obstacle at
all.
Similarly, when we understand the fifth and sixth dimensions, we will find that physical travel will not require 'movement' or at least not the type
that we understand in our limited three dimensional world. Until then, not even the smartest minds can describe it, or even understand the
terminology. Just as a two dimensional being has no word or concept for 'up' or 'down'.
The SoL is Much Too Slow
However, in terms of exploration and sensation and experience, the breakthrough will come when we can move throughout the Galaxy at the 'speed of
thought', because the speed of light is much too slow.
Note that to even move about our solar system at SoL speeds takes hours.
In the distant future, here's how it will be done, at least in our Galaxy.
It's The Information, Not The Physical Travel
Using a type of rate-limited Von Neumann probe, the galaxy, (then, possibly the Universe) would be mapped. This would take about 1 million years to
map the Galaxy.
Using super-computers this mapping would be entered into a massive database, with ever-increasing detail, including planetary data and information
about the flora and fauna, if any exists.
The Speed of Thought
Humans, or our ancestors would just strap on a Virtual interface, helmet or suit or whatever the advanced prototype would be and using this exquisite
database, travel to any star system at the speed of thought, or millions of times the 'speed of light'.
There will be no need to physically travel the distance, no need to waste time speeding up or decelerating, then messing around orbiting and landing.
We will do all that in a greatly accelerated manner.
It will contain such detail and precision and be without danger to the point where everyone will find it infinitely preferable to traveling at such
slow-poke speeds as 300,000km/sec.
After all, it's not the 'travel' that intrigues us, it's the information acquired.
Can We Map the Universe?
Once scenario would be that in each Galaxy where there is a Type I, or near Type II civilization, they'd also map their own galaxies, nearly
simultaneously, so that a complete virtual database of the Universe would be possible. If, at some point, information could be shared, and the
transmission could be propagated through extra-dimensional means, at some point we would all have a copy of the Virtual Universe. As each
civilization's data came in the Virtual Universe would become more complete and detailed.
Information versus Propulsion?
One possible outcome of this 'sharing' of information may possibly be new ways to view 'Space-Time' and methods of propulsion, but I would argue
that physically traveling to distant points will always be too slow. Even at many times the speed of light velocities, we couldn't "visit" within
the predicted lifespan of the Universe, let alone the lifespan of a typical carbon-based lifeform. Thus a new paradigm is required.
With virtual travel, one could conceivably 'travel' extensively and gain the experience and knowledge desired without being burdened with long
periods fof confinement in 'ships' in microgravity, and suffering the effects of radiation and other dangers of space flight.
2 cents.
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