11/24/2003: 
Technologica
Isn't it Enronic, Don't You Think?
Tirade courtesy of crazywriterinla referencing this Yahoo story.
"So, first they say "we need to cut down on air pollution" so they create MTBE which is supposed to cut down on such. THEN they find out MTBE is hazardous, contaminates water and isn't easy to clean up, so as they write up legislation on energy, they go "meh, let's try to spare these people who created these toxins we commissioned them to make because they're bad." Our government is full of stupid monkeys, tossing grenades and then waiting to see where stuff lands.
I hate to sound like a peace queer, but can we really start talking about SOLAR power people? I know the sun's going to explode one day, but as long as we have it around, let's use the thing. This kind of fuc*ed up legislation is what's keeping us in the shi**er, it's time to re-think how we deal with the world about now."
prof_booty agrees, to a point. 1. It was the governments idea to add MTBE to gasoline, the oil companies shouldn't be expected to pay for it. 2. Wind turbines are much more efficent than solar power, and are gaining popularity.
6 Annotations Submitted
Monday the 24th of November, awiggins noted:
But where it is really at is Stirling Engines. A Stirling Engine can be powered by almost any heat source, from conventional fuels, to burning cow pies. The most interesting application I have seen so far is the heat source in the form of mirrors concentrating the suns energy. Early figures indicate that it is a far more efficient way to harvest energy from the sun than current solar technology. I can imagine a time where each house is built with a solar powered Stirling on the roof in order to generate its own electricity. No hydrocarbons. No radioactive byproducts. I really don't see a down side to this tech. The future of mankind is riding with Dean Kamen.
Monday the 24th of November, prof_booty noted:
i'd like to see a market ready stirling engine, but i fear it is to be one of those promises that never comes to fruition
Monday the 24th of November, awiggins noted:
According to Fortune Magazine, at a Conference in Aspen Colorado in August 2003, Dean Kamen reported asking for $3B for Stirling engine/water purifier production. The $3B would "allow it to be produced in mass volume and would keep prices reasonable. Otherwise, it will cost more and perhaps not be the clear choice as the economical solution."
Monday the 24th of November, prof_booty noted:
give me $3B, and i'll make just about anything in mass volume and would keep prices reasonable. the question is will it make a return on investment.
Monday the 24th of November, awiggins noted:
It will make a return on investment if it can heat and cool your home. Run your tv, stero, Xbox, and all the other nifty consumer gadgets that americans can no longer live without. I mean come on, a new generation of electric cars that run on cow farts! How can that not make money? About the only thing that will stand in the way will be the oil companies, but that is a rant for another day.
Monday the 24th of November, crazywriterinla noted:
Agreed on the oil companies. If the oil companies had a clue they'd realize how much more they would make with alternative energy sources in the long run. However, short-minded = short on profit.
