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I'm optimistic about practical fusion in the near future, which is unusual for me because I'm pessimistic about most new technologies. There is almost certainly
by tlb 18y ago
I'm optimistic about practical fusion in the near future, which is unusual for me because I'm pessimistic about most new technologies. There is almost certainly a way to initiate fusion reactions with much less equipment than the NIF (which is still a worthwhile project). I don't know how soon it'll happen, but long before our 200-year supply of coal runs out. And then lots of people will feel silly for working on electrical energy conservation, which turned out to be pointless. I think I'll turn on some more lights.
- lliiffee 18y agoIt is a risk management thing. What is the probability that humanity figures out a way to cheaply and safely generate enough energy that we can afford to pull global warming gasses out of the air and stop burning fossil fuels? It seems to me that unless you peg that north of 95% you'd want to manage the risk that it doesn't work out.
- electromagnetic 18y agoBah, you're being too pessimistic. If we don't invent a new, cheap and safe fuel source I'm sure we'll have invented cheap and safe space travel so we don't have to worry about that crap. Then all we have to do is use untried and untested techniques to change the atmosphere on Mars or Venus to make the planets habitable. Didn't you ever read a sci-fi novel? Geeze, you're such a Buzz Killington :p