Government milking us like cows; Oil

[dgoodpasture2005]

Why are we introducing hybrid cars? So some of them reduce emissions by 50%, 75%... but by the time everyone has one, the number of drivers on the road is going to have doubled, tripled, possible quadrupled, and the same amount of emissions will still be being put out because of this! Let's stop being sheep, and speak out, I'm not going to buy a hybrid, it's a wast of money, and a bad idea, if you want to introduce something environmentally friendly, then go for the finish line, don't stop half way.

 

[russ_watters]

What is the alternative? unfortunately, if you haven't even invented the finish line yet, you can't just go straight there.

 

[dgoodpasture2005]

What is the alternative? unfortunately, if you haven't even invented the finish line yet, you can't just go straight there.

well that's kind of my point... we already have alternative energy sources that could run cars, using no oil at all... this is a bunch of B.S.

 

[Tarheel]

we already have alternative energy sources that could run cars, using no oil at all

Like what? Are these Alternative sources cheaper than gasoline?

I'm looking into building a nuclear power plant for my Dadoge Dakota.
It's only going to cost me 14 million dollars.

 

[dgoodpasture2005]

Like what? Are these Alternative sources cheaper than gasoline?
I'm looking into building a nuclear power plant for my Dadoge Dakota.
It's only going to cost me 14 million dollars.

good luck with that... i'd consider solar and electric though... nuclear kinda scares me. I'd never want to live in a world full of nuclear power.

 

[dgoodpasture2005]

What's more important, the cost of gasoline, or the survival of humanity?

 

[Tarheel]

What's more important, the cost of gasoline, or the survival of humanity?

Well I don't think I can afford to pay 60 dollars to drive to work everyday so I'll take the price of gasoline.

I don't really like very many humans anyway...

 

[russ_watters]

well that's kind of my point... we already have alternative energy sources that could run cars, using no oil at all...

I don't think there are any alternatives that are viable. That's why I asked: What is the alternative? It wasn't a rhetorical question, I am really asking you what you think the alternatives are.

You mentioned "solar and electric" - well solar is electric, but if you mean direct solar power and battery power, do you understand that neither is currently capable of coming anywhere close to the performance of gas/diesel powered cars? And at the same time as they give you much, much less performance, they also cost much, much more.

Also, I'm not sure what you mean by "government milking us" - are you talking about gas taxes?

 

[Mental Gridlock]

I'd never want to live in a world full of nuclear power.

Guess the news, you do!

 

[Mental Gridlock]

Let's stop being sheep, and speak out, I'm not going to buy a hybrid...

How many people on the road now drive hybrids? 1/1000? 1/500. Hell I never see 'em. Baaah Baaah sheep! I can't wait to jump on the Prius bandwagon!

 

[Pengwuino]

How many people on the road now drive hybrids? 1/1000? 1/500. Hell I never see 'em. Baaah Baaah sheep! I can't wait to jump on the Prius bandwagon!

I do! I even try to run them off the road!

Not sure why though... surpressed anger?

Anyhow... dgoodpasture2005, you need to give us an alternative before you continue to rant. You're argument is about as credible as me going "why are we using electricity when we can use ectoplasmic slime wire plasma, the government is fooling you, you are a sheep".

What's with these people? They just come on and say these insane things and I'm at a loss of words to even try to explain what mental processes were occurring (or not occurring) that made them write what they write. Is this the effects of drugs that I've heard so much about?

And wait wait... the government is milking us? That government with the multi-100$billion debt? The government that doesn't own oil companies? The government without any stock in GMC or any other major motor company?

 

[Mental Gridlock]

...but by the time everyone has one, the number of drivers on the road is going to have doubled, tripled, possible quadrupled, and the same amount of emissions will still be being put out because of this!

Exactly! If there's 4 times as many drivers but making 1/4 the pollution, there would be the same amount of pollution, rather than 4 times as much polution. You totally mentioned the problem right there. Overpopulation. Those extra drivers are going to be there, as might as well have them tax the environment less. But there will be more and more drivers as years go by, and THAT is the problem we need to nip in the butt. In the meantime, overpopulation creates many problems including running out of recources in the future, so as might as well find ways to ease the symptoms (such as high gas prices). The more people drive a hybrid instead, the less you have to pay to fill up your Monte Carlo. And since fossil fuels are non renewable recources, as might as well TAKE STEPS to work towards decreasing our dependencey on it. Granted the hybrids aren't as practical now, they are still good. Nobody just snaps their fingers overnight and has instant technology fix. Moving away from petroleum as energy is quite a daunting project, but an essential one.

 

[Smurf]

Even if we'll still have 4 times the population by the time everyone gets a hybrid and producing the same pollution, that'll still be better than no one getting a hybrid and producing four times the pollution.

 

[Kakarot]

why doesn't the government just set up its own hydrogen production factories all over. then we pay for it through taxes and such for maintenance and they sell it to consumers at non profit prices.

 

[russ_watters]

why doesn't the government just set up its own hydrogen production factories all over.

Because, at the moment, we don't have anything with which to power them. Manufacturing hydrogen requires energy. Lots of energy.

...then we pay for it through taxes and such for maintenance and they sell it to consumers at non profit prices.

When has the government ever been able to do anything efficiently enough to beat a private company in price? This is the same government that buys $300 toilet seats.

 

[dgoodpasture2005]

I do! I even try to run them off the road!

Not sure why though... surpressed anger?

Anyhow... dgoodpasture2005, you need to give us an alternative before you continue to rant. You're argument is about as credible as me going "why are we using electricity when we can use ectoplasmic slime wire plasma, the government is fooling you, you are a sheep".

What's with these people? They just come on and say these insane things and I'm at a loss of words to even try to explain what mental processes were occurring (or not occurring) that made them write what they write. Is this the effects of drugs that I've heard so much about?

And wait wait... the government is milking us? That government with the multi-100$billion debt? The government that doesn't own oil companies? The government without any stock in GMC or any other major motor company?

Wow i hardly considered this a rant! I think it is 100% truth... why the high gas prices? easy... the government needs money, they're greedy, and they're scandalous. So what do they do? Raise prices... hm why?! well i can think of a number of reasons, but i'll just name two. There is a war going on right now, that is not only costing lot of money, but the vehicles of the United States military are not exactly gasoline proficient. Two, well as mentioned above.. what's a way to slow petrolium useage without losing money? Raise the prices extremely high. We seem to be having a lot of trouble with the atmosphere today, the ozone hole is the third largest it's ever been, global warming is all over the headlines... now regardless of if you believe it's the sun or not, the fact remain today, we just don't know. So why not be on the safe side? We're going to drive ourselves into extinction because we still have animal instincts, we can't just let go of something for the better. I.E. Nuclear pwer etc. And the government very well could easily create an alternative energy society run on American Taxes... but for some reason it's not in their best interests. Now I'm not one of those anti-government guys, and I'm not a conspiracy worm. But i can see a problem when it exists... so what's the point of getting a hybrid, you say, "oh good there will be 4 times less polution then there would have been!" But who really cares? It's just justifying a world wide problem through numerical nonsense. A big play on words. There's going to be the same amount that's already ruining the Earth today. No problem will be taken care of, it's an illusion. And yes... the government with the multi-billion dollar debt would have a perfectly good and sane reason to milk the american people anywhere they can for money, and where better then gas? We have solar, we have electric, we have hydrogen, we have vegetable, heck we could even look into some type of wind powered vehicle, minerature windmills on the top of a car, hundreds of them. There's endles possibilites, but we're addicted to gas and money. They don't really care about survival, they care about power and greed. I really think nothing will get done by the government as far as energy goes, it's going to be up to private businesses and the american people/other countries. I guess i am ranting a little now, as far as a long post goes. but oh well. peace, much love you guys. And always sleep with one eye open or you might never wake up in this world.

David

 

[russ_watters]

...why the high gas prices? easy... the government needs money, they're greedy, and they're scandalous. So what do they do? Raise prices... hm why?!

You do understand that the government does not sell gas, right? You do understand that most gas taxes (including the federal one) are fixed sums (not percentages) per gallon, right? You do know that after Katrina, many states suspended their gas taxes, right? You do know that today, gas prices are lower than they were before Katrina, right?

And the government very well could easily create an alternative energy society run on American Taxes...

HOW?

...i'm not a conspiracy worm.

You are pushing the envelope.

We have solar, we have electric, we have hydrogen, we have vegetable, heck we could even look into some type of wind powered vehicle, minerature windmills on the top of a car, hundreds of them. There's endles possibilites...

No, no, no, no, no, and no. None of those can compete with gas. Hydrogen is the only one with even a chance, and it isn't ready yet.

I guess i am ranting a little now, as far as a long post goes.

Yes, you are. It would be a lot more helpful if you would actually engage in conversation. You might find that this idea of yours doesn't really hold water.

 

[dgoodpasture2005]

You do understand that the government does not sell gas, right? You do understand that most gas taxes (including the federal one) are fixed sums (not percentages) per gallon, right? You do know that after Katrina, many states suspended their gas taxes, right? You do know that today, gas prices are lower than they were before Katrina, right? HOW? You are pushing the envelope.
No, no, no, no, no, and no. None of those can compete with gas. Hydrogen is the only one with even a chance, and it isn't ready yet. Yes, you are. It would be a lot more helpful if you would actually engage in conversation. You might find that this idea of yours doesn't really hold water.

i never said anything about katrina, if anything that proves the point even more... wouldn't you expect gas prices to rise if oil barges were stalled, and rigs were damaged?! why did they lower? what's really going on? My point really does hold water, a hydrogen economy would be great, literally. All of those power sources i mentioned... they are able to produce enough electricity to run a car if money was raised to make way for further research. Not only could you run a car on solar power alone, but even at night you could create an artificial light/laser to power it. plus electricity. Unless you think yuo have to do 70 on the highway. Life's full of sacrifices, let's start making some so our children can be here without the same problems we face today.

 

[russ_watters]

i never said anything about katrina, if anything that proves the point even more... wouldn't you expect gas prices to rise if oil barges were stalled, and rigs were damaged?! why did they lower?

Uh, prices did go up after Katrina, but now that the refineries are coming back online and people are conserving, they are going back down. That's economics 101.

My point really does hold water, a hydrogen economy would be great, literally.

It would be great if it were possible, but it isn't (yet).

All of those power sources i mentioned... they are able to produce enough electricity to run a car if money was raised to make way for further research. Not only could you run a car on solar power alone, but even at night you could create an artificial light/laser to power it.

PROVE IT: what is the theoretical maximum capacity of a solar cell (assume it is 100% efficient, and operating with the sun directly overhead) with a footprint the size of a car? How does that capacity compare to the energy usage of today's most efficient cars?

Have you heard of the http://www.sunrace.com.au/"? How could you start with cars like those and end up with anything that even remotely compares with current cars?

You are saying thing that sound good in your head, but you don't know what you are talking about. What you are saying is quite simply not true. Not even the fantasy about pouring money into a problem to generate scientific advances. Those advances cannot violate the laws of physics.

Unless you think yuo have to do 70 on the highway. Life's full of sacrifices, let's start making some so our children can be here without the same problems we face today.

Ok, be more specific: What sacrifices do you think are reasonable? Let's start with heating and air conditioning in your car: you can't have either. Power steering, brakes, air bags, your radio, headlights (we'll need to eliminate night driving), your trunk...

 

[russ_watters]

Here are some numbers for you to use in answering that question I asked in the previous post:

Maximum solar flux: 1.4kW/m^2
Typical car footprint: 2.5x4.5m
kW in a horsepower: 0.75kW/hp

With those numbers, you can answer this: How many horsepower could a 100% efficient solar cell the size of a car, coupled with a 100% efficient electric motor provide with the sun directly overhead?

 

[Blahness]

...Someone please get the world record for the world's most Fuel-Efficient car, please.

 

[dgoodpasture2005]

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-08-2000/0001238772&EDATE=

"Relatively unknown to the U.S., the Lupo 3L TDI made history last year in
Europe when it was introduced, becoming the first production car to meet the
long-standing environmental challenge of being able to travel 100 kilometers
(62 miles) on just 3 liters (0.79 gallons) of fuel."

I wonder why? Maybe 'cause someone doesn't want the U.S. to know.. so they can continue to milk?! hmmm... if you had something as profound as this, wouldn't you want evreyone to know about it in todays global warming fear.

 

[dgoodpasture2005]

Ok, be more specific: What sacrifices do you think are reasonable? Let's start with heating and air conditioning in your car: you can't have either. Power steering, brakes, air bags, your radio, headlights (we'll need to eliminate night driving), your trunk...

Sacrifices, like not being able to drive as fast. Not being able to always have as much horsepower as you need, spending extra money on taxes so that our scientists have welllllllllllll more than enough money to experiment with anything and everything they could ever imagine to take care of this problem that is supposidly so huge and endangering the survival of mankind and it's inhabitants... i mean i see it on the news everyday... but it doesn't seem to big of a deal to anyone.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Since this is really a thread about the desired social and political actions that should be taken in regards to energy, I''m moving this to politics.

Russ is correct. We don't have the technology as was suggested. Personally, I have been anti-nuclear most of my life but I no longer see any other option. I think we must start building nuclear power plants as part of the long term strategy to implement a hydrogen economy.

 

[Anttech]

No, no, no, no, no, and no. None of those can compete with gas. Hydrogen is the only one with even a chance, and it isn't ready yet.

[off topic]heh Sometimes I think your going to blow a gasket, but then again this is your field of expertise[/off topic]

So Russ.. what is a viable solution? Do you not think that you Americans should be using more efficient cars, until our scientists come up with a better solution?

 

[pattylou]

Why are we introducing hybrid cars? So some of them reduce emissions by 50%, 75%... but by the time everyone has one, the number of drivers on the road is going to have doubled, tripled, possible quadrupled, and the same amount of emissions will still be being put out because of this! Let's stop being sheep, and speak out, I'm not going to buy a hybrid, it's a wast of money, and a bad idea, if you want to introduce something environmentally friendly, then go for the finish line, don't stop half way.

We bought our hybrid (love it) and bike wherever we possibly can, now.

There's no single solution... but a hybrid is better than a hummer. And walking is better than both. And sometimes you can't walk to your destination.

 

[pattylou]

How many people on the road now drive hybrids? 1/1000? 1/500. Hell I never see 'em. Baaah Baaah sheep! I can't wait to jump on the Prius bandwagon!

Saw a new one being driven by a neighbor just today.

(You get to learn the secret handshake when you buy one, too. )

 

[pattylou]

Hydrogen is the only one with even a chance, and it isn't ready yet.

isn't hydrogen available in Germany? Refueling stations and the whole bit?

 

[russ_watters]

[off topic]heh Sometimes I think your going to blow a gasket, but then again this is your field of expertise[/off topic]

Just in case you missed it, the reason for 6 "no"s was the 6 alternatives listed. It wasn't a rant.

So Russ.. what is a viable solution? Do you not think that you Americans should be using more efficient cars, until our scientists come up with a better solution?

It may be time to re-up my thread on the subject: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=42564&highlight=fix+energy+crisis"

In short: nuclear power, hybrid cars, mandatory "clean" coal, and heavy research for about the next 20 years, then phasing out coal and oil for the next 20 years after that.

 

[edward]

I say this a bit tongue in cheek, but how about steam powered vehicles?
In 1909 a Stanley steamer (automobile) set a speed record of 109 mph. That record stood for nearly two decades.
Most of our electricity is produced by steam, even nuclear power plants use steam to drive the turbines.

I do remember that a long time ago "Lear" (the guy who built the Lear jets) had a prototype bus that used a closed circuit system that used heat to evaporate freon and run it through a turbine which then powered the bus. The freon then passed through a condenser and re-liquified. I think he burned natural gas but was looking towards using hydrogen. He used a tube bank rather than one large tank to store fuel. The tube bank was also a part of the buses understructure to save weight.

When the price of gasoline went back down in the eighties, Lear's ideas went by the wayside.
I know this is far out in left field and a bit off topic, But is there any way to produce heat that is clean and low in pollutants.? Some catalytic process?
And no, I don't mean to take a battery and hook it up to a hot plate. although...