What would the world be like if

  • Thread starter Mattius_
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In summary: But now we know that wasn't really the case.In summary, electricity cost almost nothing to use. Not only would our monthly bills be erased, but almost every realm of production would be made more efficient. However, the deregulation of the power industry has been quite successful, with spot prices close to marginal costs and trade margins shrinking for most customer groups.
  • #1
Mattius_
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Electricity cost almost nothing to use. Not only would our monthly bills be erased, but almost every realm of production would be made more efficient. I am having trouble fantasizing this scenario. What else would happen? Would free electricity pave the way to a new type of technology that are now limited by the cost and availability of electricity? Would near free electricity make less war? To my knowledge, most of the time war is fought over rescources. What kind of things would happen if electricity was both nearly free and nearly limitless?
 
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  • #2
Well, I'll give you what happens in Norway (due to waterfalls, we have an overabundance of sources for electrical power; it has been very cheap, by world standards).

Recently, the power production was privatized.
The result is that all power plants in order to maximize their personal profits sell out of Norway all their produced electricity during the spring/summer when little is used nationally (because of hot weather).
When winter comes, there's a (purported) shortage of electricity, so the power plants sets in unison up the price level to whatever they like (they're a mafia).

Earlier, there was planning&storing going on, so that it was a fully adequate supply of electric power throughout the year for a very low price.
In addition, the municipalities had a healthy profit from the proceedings (no tax-payer money was spent on keeping the prices low).
 
  • #3
arildno said:
Well, I'll give you what happens in Norway (due to waterfalls, we have an overabundance of sources for electrical power; it has been very cheap, by world standards).

Recently, the power production was privatized.
The result is that all power plants in order to maximize their personal profits sell out of Norway all their produced electricity during the spring/summer when little is used nationally (because of hot weather).
When winter comes, there's a (purported) shortage of electricity, so the power plants sets in unison up the price level to whatever they like (they're a mafia).

Earlier, there was planning&storing going on, so that it was a fully adequate supply of electric power throughout the year for a very low price.
In addition, the municipalities had a healthy profit from the proceedings (no tax-payer money was spent on keeping the prices low).
Actually, the deregulation has been quite succesful. Look at Figure 1 one here:
http://www.teriin.org/online/ijrg/dec03/paper3.pdf [Broken]
The competitive nature of the Scandinavian market is demonstrated
by the fact that spot prices are close to marginal costs.
Another indication of a competitive market is low retail margins.
Trade margins have been shrinking for most customer groups.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #4
That stupid rabbit would be going and going and going to the unemployment office.
 
  • #5
Yeah, if electricity were free, you would get a lot of annoyed power plant workers.
 
  • #6
ever met a power plant worker who wasn't annoyed?
 
  • #7
I have never met a power plant worker... except Homer Simpson, so no. But I could imagine that they would be even more annoyed.
 
  • #8
I seem to recall early advertisements wherein nuclear power was being promised to be very inexpensive.
 

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If there were no diseases, the world would be a much healthier place. People would not have to worry about getting sick or spreading illnesses to others. Medical advancements and treatments would not be necessary, and people would have longer life spans. However, without diseases, our immune systems would not have the opportunity to strengthen and develop, and we would also face overpopulation and resource depletion issues.

2. What would the world be like if everyone had access to clean water and sanitation?

If everyone had access to clean water and sanitation, it would greatly improve public health and reduce the spread of water-borne diseases. Communities would have better hygiene practices and be able to focus on other issues, such as education and economic growth. However, there would also be challenges in managing and distributing clean water resources, and it may lead to conflicts and inequality among different regions.

3. What would the world be like if there were no wars?

If there were no wars, the world would be a more peaceful and stable place. Human lives and resources would not be lost in conflicts, and countries could focus on international cooperation and development. However, the absence of wars may also lead to complacency and lack of progress in areas such as technology and human rights. Additionally, some conflicts may still arise due to cultural, political, or economic differences.

4. What would the world be like if there were no natural disasters?

If there were no natural disasters, the world would be a safer place to live. People would not have to worry about losing their homes or loved ones to hurricanes, earthquakes, or wildfires. Infrastructure and resources would not be destroyed, and there would be fewer environmental and economic impacts. However, natural disasters also play a role in maintaining balance in ecosystems and shaping the Earth's landscape, and their absence could have unforeseen consequences.

5. What would the world be like if there was no poverty?

If there was no poverty, the world would be a more equal and prosperous place. Basic needs such as food, shelter, and education would be accessible to everyone, and there would be less inequality and social unrest. However, poverty is a complex issue with various underlying causes, and its absence may also lead to a lack of motivation and innovation. Additionally, the distribution of resources and wealth could still be unequal, even without poverty.

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