Discussion

I can't say that I disagree with Sumner in Playing Chicken with Apocalypse, but I don't agree with him either. Yes, things are more delicate than they should be (electrical grid), but there is really no excuse for that. First off, there are new forms of data transfer being experimented with as we speak for transferring data along electrical lines. They will be using phase shifts along with the electricity to send packets along a line. This will be so much faster than what we currently have and also more reliable. Why does this matter you ask? The reason power systems aren't that great right now, is as stated there is lack of redundancy and few failsafes. When a server goes down on the internet, it is obvious, quickly assessed and fixed. Power systems aren't that good yet b/c even though they know when a unit goes down, it's hard to assess the failure. With this new mode of packet travel, for broadband internet, it will be very obvious when a junction point fails, and as with the internet, the network will have to become more elaborate with redundancy. As for fuels, open you mind! First off, there are nuclear batteries that they put into the lunar modules back in the sixties that can run an automobile rated electric motor for a lifetime. The issue is not the technology, but the people. The reason we can't have this is b/c there are people out there who would be more than happy to turn one of the uranium fuel cells into a bomb. A guy figured out how to burn salt water using conventional microwave technology producing heat up to 1500*F, which is what gas burns at in your engine. This technology is new, but hydrolysis is not. Of course there is initial power input vs output, but the point is people are starting to use their heads again. It wasn't too long ago in our history that technological evolutions took centuries, now they happen in weeks. Yes transportation is becoming an issue due to fuel prices and availability, but we still have it good. 8 years ago a litre of fuel in Switzerland cost 3$. Biodiesel can be made without any petroleum products involved, burns cleaner, makes the engines last longer, but it still produces by products. A guy in France invented an air powered car that runs off of two large air tanks and steam-like single piston engine. It takes power to compress the air, but nuclear power is still effective and clean. What about new solar cell technology that is getting better every year? Did you know that in Turkey most peasants use solar technology because it is the cheapest solution there, far far cheaper than here in the states. Blame your congressman. Technology may lead us to war, but it is also the only thing that can prevent war. The only other solution is genocide.