No one seems to be talking much about energy dependence, the decline of oil, shortages ... even the SUVs look happy consuming $2-a-gallon fuel.
I was cleaning out my YDR e-mail at 4 a.m. when I should have been sleeping and came across an article editor Scott Fisher sent me for inspiration during the height of the “energy crisis� last summer: Why a 'Manhattan Project' for energy won't work.
The basic premise of the article is that a government-led Manhattan Project, where the best minds pool resources under a government mandate to force energy independence, just don’t work. In the end, it’s the market and the consumers that drive change.
Out of all imaginable energy sources, oil is still the most economical way to move our cars, and as long as that continues we will be energy dependent.
When gas prices go up, we care.
When gas prices go down and we ... just don’t talk about it much.
I think it's not going to go "away" as fast as it has in the past. One reason, change of "government" power people......soon. Whether it's Federal/State, both will have more people knockin' on their doors.
Too many business'(and people) are suffering with these high fuel costs and those "record profits" are going to be spent by the oil companies for more "exploration". They sure aren't gonna quit on oil just yet. They need time to see how those nearly 30 unconstruction E-85 plants do with "low gas prices".
It'll take a strong NEW leader to really LEAD this country and I don't mean an oil company CEO either.
I'm not impressed by the article or the author. Schulz implies that any Manhattan project for energy independence must revolve around inventing an alternative to oil, and then argues why this is an effort in futility. Who said anything about an alternative to oil?? Why not develope ways to use that oil more efficiently? Build a better engine.
He points to the commercial success of the hybrid engine as a testament to what consumers and private industry can do without government help, but glaringly forgets to mention the critical role the Japanese government played in jumpstarting this technology.
He then goes on to say with respect to the original Manhattan Project, that the chief reason it wouldn't work today is because...
"...the type of challenges we face today are so wholly different from the type faced during World War II. The original Manhattan Project brought together the Free World's most brilliant minds to invent the atomic bomb. They were in a race against time With the fate of civilization at stake...."
What a load! Did this guy ever hear of Global Warming?? The climatic disaster that awaits us all is a far greater threat to civilization than anything the Nazi's could ever throw at us.
If this is one of the best minds the Institute has working for it, it's in pretty sad shape.
It does have a bit of a “we don't need no big government� feel...He talks about the failure of previous government programs, but how many government programs are used for its desired purpose.
Take the FDA or the Justice Department for example. Throw some money at most people and the heroes are few and far between.
In the case of the Japanese government pushing hybrid technology, it’s a short-term financial gain by cornering the global market until the next big thing comes along for their local companies. I doubt that that it would be as viable a concept if it were just to save the earth.
In order for a “Manhattan Project� to work here for harnessing new sources of energy, it would have to be solely created, run and organized by people who were actually determined to do just that. It has no short term profitability for the money grabbers.
I'm not sure I would characterize the Japanese as out for short-term profits --that's the American way.
I don't understand why saving the Earth runs counter to the idea of making money. That's the old way of thinking. I believe Stanford U. or Cal. Berkley came out with a study earlier this year that said being "Green" actually generates more economic growth --not less as many resistant to change would have you believe. The hybrid car only proves that point.
Of course the Japanese aren't looking for solutions that only save the Earth --they're looking for solutions that save the Earth AND that make a buck (or yen). It's the smart way of thinking. Industry needs government to provide the capital and general direction because they are unwilling to gamble the long-run and because their short-term profitability goals often conflict with the public's long-term goals, while government needs industry to provide the brain power and innovation to get there. It should and must be a symbiotic relationship --not an either US or THEM arrangement.
There are many areas where government-led projects are necessary. Like the space program (NASA) or those things that are in front of your face as you are reading this. The "Internet" (DARPA). This is another "issue/threat" that the government IS needed. Sitting on our duff and waiting for too many years and we'll be really behind on saving ourselves.
The auto companies are "all" feeling the loss of profits from their former high profit models (trucks mostly) and at one time GM & Ford were laughing that Chrylser needed a government loan...seems their not laughing any more.
Saw a article in my MCN (Motorcycle Consumer News,Nov/2006) about a "new type" of engine. It's inventor is Arnold Wagner from the Swiss company Peraves, maker of the Ecomobile(www.peraves.ch/). His engine is called the "Peraves-Superball Motor". This motor will run on gasoline,diesel and other fuels like CNG(Compressed Natural Gas),and CH (Compressed Hydrogen). Small compact engine with lots of potential......too bad he's doing this on his own and not in the USA.
Like it or not...government (under our form anyway) IS one that must do "the impossible or because it's hard". I think the "internet" we're using was developed in DARPA(part of DOD) and then NASA was formed for the space race for an example or two.I'm not saying "free enterprise" isn't needed but a "good" helping hand (or mandated if necessary) is needed for this country to move away from oil. Not saying it can happen over night OR without problems. Check out the oil crunch after 1907(or a few other early years...too many cars not enough gasoline) or good legislation(plus the funding) to go along with all the needed regulations for a new industry.
THAT is what's needed...we've waited too long for the "capitalists/private enterprise people"(Motown 3 mostly) and we're all losing...NOW.
Been reading a Nov. issue/2006 of MCN (Motocycle Consumer News) and Arnold Wagner of the Swiss company Peraves (Ecomobile fame) has invented a new "type" of engine which is being tested. He calls it the "Peraves-Superball Motor"(www.peraves.ch/). Got a supercharger and a "ball" shape. Can run on gasoline, diesel, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and CH (Compressed Hydrogen). lots of "good" aspects to this new type of engine...just hope it comes to market sometime in near future. Not sure if the inventor is getting any help from the Swiss government(he didn't on last project) but this is where "our" monies should be spent or "seeded" to help get these new types of ideas on the road for consumer use.