Witch hunt II

Andre

Now that the global warming fever has seriously infected the US, attempting to immunizing itself from the heresy deniers, itt may be an idea to observe the analyzis of sociologist Frank Furedi here about the tension between opressing *dangerous* ideas and free speech:

http://www.spiked-online.com/index.p.../article/2792/

Ivan Seeking

It is true. The anti-warming position is much like that of church dogma; refusing to recognize the science. But at least they have quit stringing-up the tree huggers, so there is progress.

Andre

There is no science there; only models fallacies and noble cause corruption (Hockeystick)

But the immediate example of that mechanism is highly appreciated

twisting_edge

Interesting point: 20-30 years ago, you were strung up in the U.S. for saying nuclear power was a viable alternative.

The US is now several decades behind just about every other developed country in that technology. Sure, we have great science, but the technological base to actually build and operate nuclear plants is hardly there at all. I just read a story recently about the problems of existing power plants, where all the staff is approaching retirement age. No one in their right mind has considered a career in nukes for decades now: it was seen as a rapidly declining industry.

Astronuc

And there were still some of us crazy enough to go work in the industry.

We're not decades behind. Westinghouse has developed the AP600 and AP1000. GE has the ABWR ( two units at Kashiwazaki Kariwa (6,7) built in partnership with Hitachi and Toshiba and two units at Lungmen, Taiwan) and ESBWR.

We have the technological base to operate nuclear reactors (103 are operating in the US, with another about to come back on-line after being shutdown for more than 20 years). We certainly have lost the capability to forge large components. Such facilities are in France, Japan, S. Korea and China, and perhaps the skilled labor to construct the plants.

The utilities have downsized to do more with less - bascially it means more money in the pockets of management - not necessarily stockholders. It does mean that institutional memory and experience is being lost. The stress can be incredible at times.

Business is good - best in years.

Chi Meson

You have to be careful in this these forums. You can give an opinion, even a well-considered opinion, but you will be met with the statements of an expert in the field who will say something like:

and you will be shamed by the brilliance of the light of truth!

Astronuc

I'd still rather be doing nuclear propulsion systems for spacecraft to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and beyond.

But what I do is fun, interesting, fun, very challenging, fun, well-paying, and fun.

Evo

I think Astronuc hasn't noticed the mistakes in his opening remark yet.

Astronuc

Yeah - I noticed.
It would help if I could write coherently.

I was changing thoughts in mid sentence, and typing to fast.