Reads with Scotch ’s Comments (group member since Mar 14, 2008)

Reads with Scotch ’s comments from the Axis Mundi X group.

Lisa said: “You're saying that single-source petroleum isn't going to work, and you don't think anything else shows enough promise to make up the difference.”

That is not what I am saying. Our petroleum shortfalls are completely our own making. I support alternatives because to hold onto old technology is stupid. But you have to go forward with realistic alternatives. Bio and Ethanol are not it. They are not efficient enough to be viable. You can not produce them without cutting into food stores. Bamboo, wheatgrass whatever… It still needs to be grown. When Farmers can make millions on wheatgrass, or thousands on food products, which one do you think they are going to grow? Because of Bio and Ethanol’s low efficiency then need to be produced in mass on a local level. To produce it in one location and ship it to another burns off the limited energy gain. Where in Southern Cali are you going to put your bamboo farm?

**side note** agriculture is probably the most invasive practice we do. You think burning oil is bad, but striping the land is just as bad. What will happen to the little sparrows and beavers?

Lisa said: “I just watched the local industry leader in mental health, with a single-source medicaid funding approach, go under. They hid their financial losses, then suddenly went belly-up. In the course of two months, they've lost 65% of their business as they've lost contracts.”

I don’t think you can compare the two. Different industry different standards.

Lisa: “Single-source energy won't be any more sustainable in the long run. BP is currently bragging about their diversification, and I don't know whether that's a pretty promotion job for the TV ads or whether it's real, but they're at least marketing as if they recognize the realities of the coming world.”

Yes BP is exploring many options. I speak with BP, and Conico Phillips reps often. That is where I first got wind of the major set backs with many of the “alternatives” I would not say BP is bragging about diversification, they are bragging about exploring options. I do give them credit, they are spending millions on research, but they keep running into the same walls. A) Bio fuels, and Ethanol will “NEVER” hit the mainstream, the energy consumption for production is too high, for the low yield of return. If you produced them in CO, and shipped it to Cali you have already consumed its energy value.B) the amount of space needed (even when utilizing interior hydroponics farms) is too great, and would have a heavy impact the food farming industry.

Then there is my pet. Hydrogen fuel cells. It has a high energy efficiency, and low production consumption. The high cost comes in when one starts talking about setting up the infrastructure to support it. Car makers bulk because their Fuel cell compatible designs are not vary pretty right now. (Expensive, they are worried that nobody will buy because of the cost) so they are dragging their feet.

I agree Chicago is a great place to visit, But I like walking out my back door and not seeing/hearing anyone. Living on top of one another just isn't good for the head.

You completely missed the point. Bio-fuels... Ah shit, I will be back with the numbers. But It is something in the range of +20 something efficiency. That means for each gal. Produced it consumes 3 quarts of itself in energy. That is not effective.

Also whatever the alternative is, it must be mainstream and a stand alone. Otherwise coast to coast travel would be a nightmare, interstate shipping would be a mess, let’s not even add international into the equation.

I don't think we will ever reduce demand. Maybe a few points here and there but really we are consuming beings. Always have been. The trick is to consume something that doesn't break the bank.

The reason we are paying what we are at the moment is because we have not upgraded our energy industry for the better part of the last 30 years. And I'm not that young, I recall filling up my pick up in high school with a 10 bill.

The point I was making is that; Bio fuels, and ethanol will never be a plausible alternative. It takes almost as much energy to make as the end product generates. Even my little pet (hydrogen fuel cells) has set backs. As you say if it becomes mainstream the price will come down. But even at good estimates that is 5 to 10 years down the road. I wonder what we will be paying for food and gas in 5 to 10.

One more reason the guy was a dumb ass then.

Judging by the state of many cities I would say slums it is. You could not pay me to move back to Chicago. I love visiting, I love the food, but I will never live there again. Don’t even mention southern Cali.

A reoccurring problem I am seeing with all the “alternate” energy sources is this:

Either it takes too long or too much to produce it.

Can not produce enough of it

Not cost effective.

This was an interesting article I came across. I was hopeful at first until I got to the end. It’s like bad sex. Really.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news...

::pats Varmint on back::

Hold on, I bet she could make a lot of money if she were able to pull that off.

When did the shift happen? When did journalist go from reporters to T.V. personalities concerned more with ratings then with facts?

When ever it happened it sucks. I become truly frustrated when trying to get to the bottom of a story. It is exhausting sifting through all the jib trying to sort out the facts and let the spin fall to the floor.

That really sounds absurd... I am curious how global whining is supposed to cause greater seismic activity. Did they elaborate or just make the claim?

I would put forward that the Palestinians need to take control of the repressors putting them in the foul conditions that they are living in. If the civilians were to turn on hezbollah, and co-operate with the Israelis then their situation would improve. Maybe even procure a pleasant future.

On a sad note, I don’t think that will happen. I think the fundamentalist are too deeply rooted in the Muslim culture, and Jews are their number one enemy, and the west by proxy.

I will never understand the gawker. I have never felt compelled to get in the way of something cool. I don't want to ruin it.

I'm pretty glad I didn't get hurt myself. Something tells me that counterweight would have really messed my year up.

Now whos making up words Jackie ;)

I think the headline of this article set the tone. Did the teacher act inappropriately, sure, should he be punished sure, should he lose his job... I don't know about that. There are not a lot of meat and potatoes to this article so it is hard to say.

I will say that in the US today where there is a growing disconnect between educators and students that a popular teacher is an important fixture at an institution of learning. There needs to be something for kids to hang onto.


I don't know if that makes sense.

Cough cough... The Alaskan Natives actually have the best deal out of all the Native Americans. Instead of getting "reservations" They were able to maintain ownership of most of their land, and were well compensated for what we didn't give back. In addition to that they receive bundles of cash every year not only from the state but from the mining and oil industry. As an Inuit native you receive upwards of 60,000 smackers a year (tax free).

But I digress; as far as Israel... we can go back as far as we want, it doesn't mean a whole lot. I think we all need to start living in the here and now. I support Israel’s right to defend its self. If Canadians were jumping the boarder and blowing up things I would expect our government to retaliate.

Mmm so it is multi-functional then huh... You could read it or feel it...






You know like brail. ;)

Somebody needs to hand that lady and package of Hanes. There is no shame in Granny panties; I hear they are quite comfy.

My wife knows this is a go. She may think all the GR "weirdoes" may or may not show up. I however am committed to this project. I will build a trebuchet that makes "bad Neighbor" look like a child’s toy.

Really... Its four letters... I mean I'm the "n" ick.