vpratt51

Global Warming Models: 'Out of Order'?

I've got it! Since, as I suggested earlier, mankind seems to be splitting into subspecies, (not really, of course, but fun for the debate) I would like to propose a name for the new branch that just can't get their heads out of the sand (or wherever).
If I am not too far off on the Latin:

"Homo Sinecognitus" [clueless man]

Let it be written that the brave new people went forth to find a new world, completely messed it up, found another, pooped on it, found another....well you get the idea....OR DO YOU????

Paxman

Rooftop Solar Generation: Ready for Prime Time?

Good article and outstanding responses. Thanks to all of you.

Regarding competing technologies, I do have to side with the more efficient ones, even with the higher cost, for residential. When the energy production per sq. ft. is at it's highest, it makes the rest of the installation more cost effective. Once it catches on, I find it hard to believe that the same guy that HAD to have a Ram or a Hummer will now consider LESS power as an option.

Global Warming Models: 'Out of Order'?

How many of you cynics are prepared to to buy real estate in the Marshall Islands? I can't believe this debate! You trust your very existence every day to nuclear scientists having a handle on fission. You use all the latest advances in science without much thought. In fact, you EXPECT scientists to develop what you need and want. "Gulp", you pop the pill. "Click", you connect by satellite. But OH, those silly climatologists are so foolish, they can't be right!

Are my grandchildren supposed to suffer because you are so STUPID? Global warming IS occurring. Man IS the factor tipping the balance. I'm so sick of you ostriches, I'm going to donate more to Avaaz.org to help island nations get their representatives to the table. Your stupidity and "faith based" science will kill millions. Perhaps it is time to split the species between Homo Sapiens and whatever you would like to call yourselves. For indeed, you shun knowledge at every opportunity.

End of rant, thank you for your kind indulgence.
Paxman

China's Solar Industry Outshines the U.S.

Well said, John. A fine rant, indeed.

China's Solar Industry Outshines the U.S.

"Oh, Brave new world"

You know, I really hate being envious of the way the Chinese can quickly set a course and steer the whole nation in the direction chosen. Are they communists, or pragmatists? I LIKE the way we sort of stumble along, eventually finding the right path. But in the solar (and many other areas) we have definitely come up short. We're like a guy standing at a urinal, sneaking a peek and finding ourselves lacking. It was supposed to be OUR technology that saves the world. Sure, we invented solar cells and much of what goes with it but, to continue with the urinal image (sorry) it's not what you have, but how you use it.

Mark, I think YOU are doing the right thing by asking the hard questions. I wonder how many inconvenient truths there are. Keep up the good work.

6 Global Risks that Could Spark a New Crisis

Sorry, but these lists always remind me of Rumsfeld's list of unknowns before we invaded Iraq. No nukes or poison gas used. No human waves. In fact, only one of them did come true. The unthinkable one....not all Iraqis were happy that we invaded. Odds are, the greatest problem will be from the unexpected, such as Tralfamadorians inviting us to (be) lunch.

The Global Oil Scam: 50 Times Bigger than Madoff

Good Lord!! I have never had to read so much crap in such a short time. Someone said the cost of extracting a barrel of oil is $6!!! Is that all people see? I do not doubt that the price spike was, in part, manipulation/speculation, but this article, and some of the responses, are from ostriches who prefer to hide their heads in the sand and ALWAYS blame The Great and Mighty THEM. Go!!! Start your own oil company and find your own oil. It's just lying around all over the place. No need to explore or take great risks with crazy dictators. You don't need the best engineers. You don't even need to refine it. The Beverly Hillbillies did it. I think Bugs Bunny did it! Black gold comes from a Black hole in the center of the Earth, right. It just keeps on a comin' and never ends.

I tell my friends, the human race has spawned a sub-species, Homo sinecognitas, or "clueless man".

End of rant, thank-you for your kind indulgence.
Paxman

The Unsustainable Lie of Inflation

Bravo, Paco!!! There is a growing call for people to think independently. You have repeated the challenge to use our great big, beautiful, human brains to solve our problems in more pragmatic, rather than dogmatic, ways. But, I'm still pessimistic.

Green Energy Experts: Why Do They Buy Solars?

I completely get your point. But there are only so many dull areas we can tolerate. Solar has the "cool" factor that chicks just dig more than ions and lead plates, or worse, carbon sequestering (it even sounds nasty). Just tell a lady that her photons knock your electrons off, and your on second base. My DD may be from a different school of economics.

Investing in Clean Energy: Asking the Right Questions

CEOCXO, I celebrate and commend your dedication to democracy. But look at the sweep of history for a moment. Tribes had to join and yield to city-states. In turn, the city-states had to form alliances with, and yield to, the formation of nations. After enough bodies had piled up to fill a small sea, it became obvious that the nations had to get their acts together as a cooperative group. This must, no matter how much you dislike the idea, involve world wide acceptance of general treaties for the good of all. If you truly believe in Democracy , you have to accept the fact that a cloth weaver in India has a vote equal to yours, or mine. God did not create me as being equal to ten Indians or ten Chinese. Would you go to the Kalahari and boast that you are more important than 20 Bushmen? True Democracy involves yielding at times to the needs of the many. I would suggest that you take a trip to a poor country and have a brew and share a meal with a family of modest means. There, you will discover that, with great success comes great responsibility. Don't be so worried about "New world order" that you fail to see the advantages and hope of worldwide democracy in action.

Lest you misunderstand, I would be very tough on other nations as far as qualifying to vote. I have always thought that the votes of all nations in the UN should be based upon their "certification", if you will, as open democracies. I am outraged that an ambassador appointed by a dictator or king has the right to vote in anything. By our standards he should represent his people, not his tyrant.

Are the choices always clear to men of good will and heart? Of course not. When Sam Houston, as governor of Texas, refused to take an oath of loyalty supporting secession, he was doing the right thing. The good Texans that sent him packing with death threats were decent people. They just failed to see that the union might be right about slavery. They were sure that their state's rights were sanctioned in some higher court and that they had no obligation to re-examine their role in history. Again the bodies piled up.

If you are hesitant to accept the vote of a woman in Pakistan, or Lapland, or Nigeria, here's what you do. Make sure she has the opportunity and right to an education, the freedom to elect her government, and a free press to get the information that she needs. In what universe would this be detrimental to America?

Investing in Clean Energy: Asking the Right Questions

Tom, I am glad you reach for new perspectives. I enjoyed this one. It should prove it's worth over time.

I am probably among the lowliest of all investors. For many years now, I have been a clerk in a convenience store, working hard, honestly, and trying to grow my retirement funds. A side effect is that I have been witness to immense stupidity (and more than a few crimes). The most glaring example is in the sale of scratch lottery tickets. The people who buy them REFUSE to accept reality and the most basic logic. Among the questions and comments:

"Which one wins the most?" (the odds are all the same)
"My boyfriend buys them all the time and never loses!" (sure, babe)
"You can't win if you don't play." (you can't LOSE if you don't play)
"I won a dollar." (no, you just got your dollar back and lost on the other four tickets you bought)
"I don't know why I keep buying them, I never win. Give me four more."
"That's ten losers in a row. The next one HAS to be a winner."

The most accurate statement, often coming from the more open minded and logical gamblers, is that it is the "stupid people's tax". (give me four more).

So it is no surprise that some vested interests in our economy are able to count on, and encourage, denial of scientific consensus. "Ignore those geeks in the lab coats! Rolllll them dice again! Daddy wants a new Hummer."

There are climate models based on long term cycles in which we should be entering a cooling trend with glaciers advancing. If those were taken into account, it makes global warming twice as alarming.

But don't worry. It's just one planet. The next one's GOT to be a winner.

End of rant. Thank you for you kind indulgence.
Paxman

India Focuses on Poorer Consumers

Wow, you're really cranking it out these days! I enjoyed this one. I almost added to my stake in TTM today. I fit right in with the investors in India: poor, but working on it. I recommend to everyone that they buy shares in India for the cultural exposure as well as the growth. The differences in the English language usage are amusing and one can see the British influence. But there can be no doubt, they are doing it all THEIR way, from banking to recipes. I've tried a couple of them (the recipes). I'm posting a link to The New Kerala site. It's a good place for your readers to start. It gives updates on the groundnut (??, whatever) harvest and prices as well as quick links to maps and pictures of Bollywood babes. Enjoy.
www.newkerala.com/busi...

Freakonomics' Latest Adds Little to the Energy Debate

To quote the final (almost the ONLY) words in the film "Koyaanisqatsi" (Hopi, for life out of balance), "To continue as we have is stark, raving, madness."

Let's do the things we can do, as soon as we can do them. If we move quickly enough, maybe we will never have to resort to more desperate measures like, ummm, sticking methane scrubbing devices up cows' butts. BTW, that's not fossil carbon anyway. So strictly speaking, I, and all my human and bovine friends, should be allowed to fart at will, in perpetuity.

The Energy Efficiency Paradox

The author is very wise.
The readers who commented are geniuses.
I agree with all.
Too bad our politicians had to have lobotomies to qualify for office.
Too bad most of us like them that way.

Cheap gasoline has been the bread that Caesar threw to the mob to placate them. Common sense was the victim laid before the lions in the arena. Everyman lies slain in the dust of an empire that should have been able to solve it's problems.

Energy Secretary Chu Wimps Out Again

A righteous rant indeed, Fitz. Don't hold back. "THEY" really need to hear these things over and over and over and.........