Comments on: The Future Rushes Ahead http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:29:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: PeakEngineer http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/#comment-3831 PeakEngineer Sun, 01 Apr 2007 14:31:37 +0000 http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/#comment-3831 Yes, I agree it's a very difficult challenge to force culture change and I don't mean to diminish the work of Rep. Inslee and others. We certainly need to search for new technologies that can improve our energy efficiency and reduce our impact to the planet. The problem comes when people such as those on the right point to such programs and say "see, we're doing something to fight climate change". It's a frustrating situation. I'm really enjoying looking through your site as well. Good stuff here. -PeakEngineer Yes, I agree it’s a very difficult challenge to force culture change and I don’t mean to diminish the work of Rep. Inslee and others. We certainly need to search for new technologies that can improve our energy efficiency and reduce our impact to the planet. The problem comes when people such as those on the right point to such programs and say “see, we’re doing something to fight climate change”. It’s a frustrating situation.

I’m really enjoying looking through your site as well. Good stuff here.
-PeakEngineer

]]> By: Glen Hiemstra http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/#comment-3727 Glen Hiemstra Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:23:07 +0000 http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/#comment-3727 By the way, http://peakoildesign.com looks terrific and is really worth visiting. By the way, http://peakoildesign.com looks terrific and is really worth visiting.

]]> By: Glen Hiemstra http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/#comment-3726 Glen Hiemstra Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:02:15 +0000 http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/#comment-3726 To peakenginner: yes, one should not be overoptimistic, the point made must vigorously by Kunstler. When you look at the really gigantic use of energy today, and the growth rates, and then really look at ability of alternatives to match that capacity, it does not look good. Thus the emphasis first on lifestyle and community design. But, that is mostly political as you know, and so very hard. This is why we see, I believe, increasing rather than decreasing opposition on the right to any talk of global warming or of fuel efficiency standards. Instead, we see deeper denial. To peakenginner: yes, one should not be overoptimistic, the point made must vigorously by Kunstler. When you look at the really gigantic use of energy today, and the growth rates, and then really look at ability of alternatives to match that capacity, it does not look good. Thus the emphasis first on lifestyle and community design. But, that is mostly political as you know, and so very hard. This is why we see, I believe, increasing rather than decreasing opposition on the right to any talk of global warming or of fuel efficiency standards. Instead, we see deeper denial.

]]> By: PeakEngineer http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/#comment-3721 PeakEngineer Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:09:02 +0000 http://www.futurist.com/2007/03/29/the-future-rushes-ahead/#comment-3721 There are certainly areas where technology such as would be produced from an Apollo-style energy project could allow our society to continue its advancement. I would advise caution, however, in placing too much optimism that an as-yet-undeveloped technology could allow us to continue leading our energy-hungry lifestyles. In truth, the only solid solution known to us for preventing catastrophe (particularly if we have indeed reached Peak Oil) is conserving our available energy. Solar cells, wind turbines, and super-capacitors allow us to harness energy differently, but continued exponential growth in energy usage simply can't continue. Physics forbids it in a closed system. -PeakEngineer http://peakoildesign.com There are certainly areas where technology such as would be produced from an Apollo-style energy project could allow our society to continue its advancement. I would advise caution, however, in placing too much optimism that an as-yet-undeveloped technology could allow us to continue leading our energy-hungry lifestyles. In truth, the only solid solution known to us for preventing catastrophe (particularly if we have indeed reached Peak Oil) is conserving our available energy. Solar cells, wind turbines, and super-capacitors allow us to harness energy differently, but continued exponential growth in energy usage simply can’t continue. Physics forbids it in a closed system.
-PeakEngineer
http://peakoildesign.com

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