Right now, yes, but nuclear can provide the base load (comes from the ground but doesn't release fossil CO2 into the air) and a range of renewables can do the rest. Then over time we can shift to less nuclear and more renewable as the tech matures.
The non-energy uses of hydrocarbons can continue (although fossil-sourced fertilizers should probably be the first to be phased out). Grid power and most cars don't need fossil fuels, switch those off of it and go from there.
So because fringe enviro-kooks have a problem with anything other than reverting to bronze-age living nothing is viable. Nuke, wind, solar, plus hydro and geothermal where they won't cause too much harm should be fine. And don't forget tidal.
It's a sunk cost now. The cars have already existed for decades. And if they didn't, I could build one using only recycled steel (or aluminum) from a hydro-powered foundry.
I said the same thing in the latest poll but from a business standpoint it's still throwing money down a hole. If they're not doing it for profit it's strange that they set it up as a business.
I asked Lewicki specifically about how this will make money. Some asteroids may be rich in precious metals — some may hold tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars in platinum-group metals — but it will cost billions and take many years, most likely, to mine them before any samples can be returned. Why not just do it here on Earth? In other words, what’s the incentive for profit for the investors? This is probably the idea over which most people are skeptical, including several people I know active in the asteroid science community.
I have to admit, Lewicki’s answer surprised me. “The investors aren’t making decisions based on a business plan or a return on investment,” he told me. “They’re basing their decisions on our vision.”
These guys aren't even making excuses, they're throwing money down a hole for the lulz. And if this is one of Elon's "playing the long game" ideas he's going to be really disappointed that this will never be profitable as long as spaceships are being pushed from A to B. The only material that could possibly be profitable to bring back to Earth would be He3 from the Moon for use in fusion power.
Hopefully they'll be very careful about bringing asteroids into Earth orbit. But the energy and mining industries are pretty safe and responsible right?
Slashdot Mirror
Unchangeable default password = MEGAFAIL
Right now, yes, but nuclear can provide the base load (comes from the ground but doesn't release fossil CO2 into the air) and a range of renewables can do the rest. Then over time we can shift to less nuclear and more renewable as the tech matures.
Oh sorry I had no idea you were completely insane.
What's the difference between AGW and man-made climate change? Those are two different sets of words for the same concept.
And he has always been a nut, or "fringe" to put it nicely.
The non-energy uses of hydrocarbons can continue (although fossil-sourced fertilizers should probably be the first to be phased out). Grid power and most cars don't need fossil fuels, switch those off of it and go from there.
So because fringe enviro-kooks have a problem with anything other than reverting to bronze-age living nothing is viable. Nuke, wind, solar, plus hydro and geothermal where they won't cause too much harm should be fine. And don't forget tidal.
Oh he's a respected mainstream climate scientist now that his nutjobbery has blown up in his face.
Where does all this "dismantle civilization" stuff come from? Changing power sources is dismantling civilization?
I've pointed two flashlights at each other but no money has arrived. What am I doing wrong?
You could pass information into the future with a carving on a cave wall. Sending it backwards is the hard part.
I had gray hairs at 16.
But nothing about my lifestyle is good for longevity anyways.
It's a sunk cost now. The cars have already existed for decades. And if they didn't, I could build one using only recycled steel (or aluminum) from a hydro-powered foundry.
If you're a marine bio major you should know 1 and 3. Especially 3.
I was only hoping for SFTP access, from there I'd put a big TrueCrypt container on the drive and not worry about the other problems.
I don't fucking need you. My cars can run on biofuel and I don't use coal for anything. I wouldn't even notice if strip-mining were banned.
Cornflake muncher (as if something's wrong with that)? Flabby urbanite? You made a lot of wrong guesses.
Without you, civilization would break a horrible addiction.
You should work with these guys, your ego's gravity field could do all the work.
I mentioned no such thing in my post, you bootlicking serf.
I said the same thing in the latest poll but from a business standpoint it's still throwing money down a hole. If they're not doing it for profit it's strange that they set it up as a business.
True nothing wrong with doing this as rich guy entertainment, but any investors who are expecting a return are going to be disappointed.
easily burning/breaking up before it hits ground
Like Tunguska which was completely harmless.
Wise choice. From TFA:
I asked Lewicki specifically about how this will make money. Some asteroids may be rich in precious metals — some may hold tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars in platinum-group metals — but it will cost billions and take many years, most likely, to mine them before any samples can be returned. Why not just do it here on Earth? In other words, what’s the incentive for profit for the investors? This is probably the idea over which most people are skeptical, including several people I know active in the asteroid science community.
I have to admit, Lewicki’s answer surprised me. “The investors aren’t making decisions based on a business plan or a return on investment,” he told me. “They’re basing their decisions on our vision.”
These guys aren't even making excuses, they're throwing money down a hole for the lulz. And if this is one of Elon's "playing the long game" ideas he's going to be really disappointed that this will never be profitable as long as spaceships are being pushed from A to B. The only material that could possibly be profitable to bring back to Earth would be He3 from the Moon for use in fusion power.
Hopefully they'll be very careful about bringing asteroids into Earth orbit. But the energy and mining industries are pretty safe and responsible right?
Forget that, what happens when it starts simulating thousands of gaming machines running Crysis on Vista?
I was just thinking the same thing, it's amazing that the creator of Frontier and Elite could say such a dumb thing.
Wow they don't even use a proxy? It's like they *know* nobody will care.