Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson makes a pointed observation here, but I wonder how true it is.
I grant that some of us need to be scientifically literate. Without that, our civilization could not keep up with things like vaccines against pandemics, while creating all other medical breakthroughs. we wouldn’t have effective anti-ballistic missiles, climate change mitigation solutions, a deeper understanding of the cosmos around us, and the entire ensemble of IT and communications technologies that make our lives ever more productive.
Keep in mind, however that anything of importance that’s happening in science in the 21st Century is happening at the outermost fringes of incredible levels of specificity. What I learned about physics in college 50 years ago no more qualifies me to understand theoretical physics today than it enables me to fly to the moon in my Prius.
Another thing I would grant is that the 99.999% of us who are not “scientifically literate” in any meaningful way should respect the value of science, and reject QAnon-style beliefs, e.g., the flat Earth, the notion that COVID is a government plot, that global warming is a hoax, that Bill Gates is trying to enslave the population, etc.
Renewable Energy
Understanding Pete Hegseth
What is said here about Pete Hegseth is clearly true.
But keep in mind that he’s fiercely loyal to Donald Trump, and Trump couldn’t possibly care what happens to the United States, as long as he can stay out of prison and enrich himself and his family.
Renewable Energy
Does Clean Energy Reduce Your Energy Bills?
Here’s an article that outlines how the EU has lowered energy prices via its investment in renewables.
In truth, the economics of all this is complicated. In most of the world, there are subsidies for clean energy, just as there are subsidies for Big Oil. If you want to remove the environmental regulations of coal-fired power plants and let them make fortunes by turning our atmosphere into their own private sewers, you can probably make coal-powered energy very inexpensive.
One thing is clear though, looking through all this complexity: the countries whose people actually care about the future of life on Earth are aggressively decarbonizing their energy and transportation sectors, and there is a great deal to be said for this.
In the United States, we’re rapidly going in the other direction. Shame on us.
Renewable Energy
Another Concept in Small Wind
These guys have an innovation in small wind: their turbine “furls up” in dangerously high wind conditions, making it “perfect for your backyard.” Check out this video. The competition has to shut down to avoid having their product destroyed in such circumstances.
Think about this for a second. How often do you have hurricane-force winds blowing through your backyard? What if it’s a tornado? (It’s a twister! It’s a twister!) What would be the cost to you if your mini-turbine actually did have to shut down a few hours each year?
These guys are looking for investors. If their pitch resonates with you, jump on in, by all means.
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