It Just Can't Be That Simple
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Does GW -> PC?
Seems like global warming is all the rage now days. All it took was for the media to have a slow day when the IPCC released a report. I call this the Peterson effect.
Lets assume you believe global warming is true and is a result of mankind burning fossil fuels. So what is a species to do? I keep reading dire predictions. Stuff like, even if we emit no additional green house gases the climate will continue to warm for a few decades. If correct, thats pretty serious stuff. It implies to me the world as we've know it is going to change dramatically. To survive, the human race will have to adapt. What that will require & when is unknown.
Back around 1990 I read a book about this group who supposedly controlled the world. The group is called the committee of 300. One thing in the book was a supposition that at some point in the future the population would have to be culled. And the committee would be the ones to say when & whom.
Could global warming be the catalyst for population controls? It seems logical the earth can only support a finite number of people. The quantity should be a function of the energy level required to support a given living standard. That should be a fairly accurate statement until say the 28th century. By that point we should have invented practical clean power. If only Ponds and Fleishman would have been correct.
I wonder who Billary Clinton would nominate to be culled first? One thing is for certain, at least she would make sure they have health care.
How about a new bumper sticker: "Fight Global Warming - Stop Breathing" ¶ 23.9.07 0 comments
Lets assume you believe global warming is true and is a result of mankind burning fossil fuels. So what is a species to do? I keep reading dire predictions. Stuff like, even if we emit no additional green house gases the climate will continue to warm for a few decades. If correct, thats pretty serious stuff. It implies to me the world as we've know it is going to change dramatically. To survive, the human race will have to adapt. What that will require & when is unknown.
Back around 1990 I read a book about this group who supposedly controlled the world. The group is called the committee of 300. One thing in the book was a supposition that at some point in the future the population would have to be culled. And the committee would be the ones to say when & whom.
Could global warming be the catalyst for population controls? It seems logical the earth can only support a finite number of people. The quantity should be a function of the energy level required to support a given living standard. That should be a fairly accurate statement until say the 28th century. By that point we should have invented practical clean power. If only Ponds and Fleishman would have been correct.
I wonder who Billary Clinton would nominate to be culled first? One thing is for certain, at least she would make sure they have health care.
How about a new bumper sticker: "Fight Global Warming - Stop Breathing" ¶ 23.9.07 0 comments
Mass Transit - Euro Style
I just got back from a road trip. This time it was to the Netherlands. Travel shows you how other people go about living. This has the potential to change your perspective. For example, take public transportation.
The Dutch have an extensive and efficient train system. Travel by rail is relatively inexpensive. It cost as much to cross the country by train as it does to cross a small city using a taxi. The inter-city express trains run every half hour. For longer trips, going by rail is typically quicker and cheaper than driving. Factor in the ability to kick back and read or sleep & it's really a no brainer.
Once in a city, a large portion of the general population travels by bicycle. Here in the US, my city fancies itself as "bicycle friendly". The Dutch make my city look like a bunch of hacks! Here is a photo of a typical bike rack outside a train station. It is very large and beyond full. This station has additional bike racks at the other entrances and a secure bike park under the station. The bike parking at this one train station could probably accommodate my entire city.
You can't find a bike rack that large on a US college campus! Yet this is typical in Holland. Outside every building at my company - large covered bike racks. Executives in suits riding a bicycle to work. Dedicated and paved bicycle routes through the city and between neighboring villages. Traffic signals regulating the bike lanes. Simply put - a different approach to mass transportation.
Don't get me wrong, the Dutch still have cars. The roads are clogged during rush hour. But with fuel pushing $6.75 per gallon, the cars are the small fuel efficient type. Although one day I saw a 1970 LTD going down the road.
The thing I liked best, it is rare to see a bicycle helmet. I guess when you grow up riding a bike you have confidence in your abilities.
On an unrelated subject - Vista still sucks! ¶ 23.9.07 0 comments
The Dutch have an extensive and efficient train system. Travel by rail is relatively inexpensive. It cost as much to cross the country by train as it does to cross a small city using a taxi. The inter-city express trains run every half hour. For longer trips, going by rail is typically quicker and cheaper than driving. Factor in the ability to kick back and read or sleep & it's really a no brainer.
Once in a city, a large portion of the general population travels by bicycle. Here in the US, my city fancies itself as "bicycle friendly". The Dutch make my city look like a bunch of hacks! Here is a photo of a typical bike rack outside a train station. It is very large and beyond full. This station has additional bike racks at the other entrances and a secure bike park under the station. The bike parking at this one train station could probably accommodate my entire city.
You can't find a bike rack that large on a US college campus! Yet this is typical in Holland. Outside every building at my company - large covered bike racks. Executives in suits riding a bicycle to work. Dedicated and paved bicycle routes through the city and between neighboring villages. Traffic signals regulating the bike lanes. Simply put - a different approach to mass transportation.
Don't get me wrong, the Dutch still have cars. The roads are clogged during rush hour. But with fuel pushing $6.75 per gallon, the cars are the small fuel efficient type. Although one day I saw a 1970 LTD going down the road.
The thing I liked best, it is rare to see a bicycle helmet. I guess when you grow up riding a bike you have confidence in your abilities.
On an unrelated subject - Vista still sucks! ¶ 23.9.07 0 comments
