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The Forum > Article Comments > Why choosing coal is like choosing Betamax > Comments

Why choosing coal is like choosing Betamax : Comments

By Ben Pearson, published 28/12/2007

We must consciously, deliberately and ambitiously help developing countries produce and consume energy in a sustainable way.

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Goodness me, VHS or Beta posts are really missing the point which is the beginning Earth's deterioration within the next 15 years if its population doesn't come to terms with the greenhouse question. We need to apply existing technology such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal and encourage all other countries on Earth to do likewise.
Posted by SHONGA, Tuesday, 1 January 2008 12:22:26 PM
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My understanding of the VHS / Betamax issue was, despite Betamax being a better system, it fell by the wayside and “VHS” prevailed.

So what does that tell us?

Winning a technology race is not always about the technical excellence when marketing and commercial astuteness is there to play a hand.

However, that has stuff all to do with coal.

Now onto the issue of telecommunication / internet and the like.

Lets consider the development in electronic communication has piggy-backed the silicon chip and micro-processors revolutions.

A long time ago some one asked the question “why has the motor industry not followed the path of micro-processors and electronics?”

The answer from the motor companies was “Well we could make and sell a Rolls Royce for $200, it would do 200,000km to a litre of fuel. . . . .

And you could fit 10 of them in a matchbox”

Not all “solutions” are equally applicable, practical or sensible.

Micro-processor technology was developed in pursuit of a guidance system for cruise missiles and smart bombs.

Maybe what we need is another good old war to “jump start” the research for technologies which will solve the energy and carbon emissions problem.

However, that will not suit all, since the most likely developer is USA.

I can see neither the technical competence or entreprenurial risk attitude in any other nation necessary to deal with the issue.
Posted by Col Rouge, Tuesday, 1 January 2008 1:22:02 PM
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Col, I agree that, providing the US doesn't self-implode, it still remains the world's powerhouse of technological innovation. However this as much as anything has been due to the extraordinary publicly funded work from institutions such as NASA, various universities (which may be private, but whose research typically relies more on government money than private enterpreneurs) and even the much-aligned DoD (especially http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA). Now accepted, much of that public wealth only exists because of the private enterprises that created it, but they have benefited greatly from government-funded R&D and infrastructure building, and "entreprenurial risk attitude" is certainly not the be all and end all of America's success.
Posted by wizofaus, Tuesday, 1 January 2008 1:44:53 PM
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