The United States of Biomass

Paul Bunyan, the famous american legend, was responsible for destroying many of our precious forest resources. He cut down trees for timber with the ruthlessness of a Mongol. He lived in a time where timber was viewed as merely an economic resource. However, with the emergence of new technologies, wood can now be used to create carbon neutral power in remote areas around the US.

Annotated Bibliography

The Lightning Grid Part 2:The Fun Bit

Dr. Emmett Brown: Marty, I’m sorry. But the only power source capable of generating 1.21 gigawatts of electricity is a bolt of lighting.

Marty McFly: (startled) What did you say?

Dr. Emmett Brown: A bolt of lightning. Unfortunately you never know when or where it’s gonna strike.

Marty McFly: We do now.

Lightning Grid Part 1: The boring bit

Theoretically there is enough electricity released in one lighting strike to power about 150,000,000 light bulbs. To put that in perspective there are about 15-30 light bulbs in an average US home. That means a single lighting strike could give light to about 10,000,000 American homes. Wow, wouldn’t that be great. However, the physics involved with successfully harnessing and storing lighting make it about as possible as time travel.  As Ben stiller says in something about Mary, “So you’re saying there’s a chance!” Sorry, Ben, there is no chance. However, even without lighting we still get electricity, and we are able to light our houses, power our electronics, and even shave our moustaches. Amazing I know. Energy has never been more readily available than it is now, but at what cost. Our archaic energy grid has strained both our lights and our wallets for too long. But before I get to the grid let me quickly explain how we get our energy here in the US.

Blog Responses

The God Complex: Man's Hubris

Henry Frankenstein: Look! It’s moving. It’s alive. It’s alive… It’s alive, it’s moving, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, IT’S ALIVE!

Victor Moritz: Henry – In the name of God!

Henry Frankenstein: Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!

Trio: Paper 1

Hello World

I have always prided myself on my opposition of modern communication trends. I had a phone with buttons until last year. What I mean is that I have never cared much for texting, blogging, or social networking. In my opinion, it is 10x more efficient to pick up a phone and ask someone what they are doing rather than typing out individual sentences.


I believe that our generation, who has grown up with all of these new technologies, is more isolated than ever. We have lost touch with reality. We can’t unplug we are addicted to technology and even though communication is easier than ever, we have never been farther apart. 

To Nuke or Not to Nuke

4 a.m Wednesday on March 28^th, 1979 marked the death of the Nuclear power expansion in the US. A stuck pilot-operated release valve on Three-Mile Island allowed a meltdown to take place, which successfully changed the destiny of nuclear energy, to one filled with fear and intimidation. Sound the trumpets, because this day could possibly mark the end of the human race due to climate change…

Ok, so maybe I’m blowing it a little out of proportion, i.e. it may not be solely responsible for the end of the human race, but in fact, nuclear energy is one of the most efficient, clean, and safe energy generating utilities we have at our disposable in this modern age.  Let me just quickly explain how nuclear power works:

Skeptics, Alarmists, and Scientists OH MY... A Voice Analysis.

“Should we spend a trillion dollars on space lasers in case of an alien invasion of Earth? Why not, its a hell of a gamble to our children’s future.”

This bold statement was taken from Climate Skeptic. The blog name says it all. This is an environmental blog from the vantage point of a man on the fringe, a climate change skeptic. Climate Skeptic is written by Warren Meyer, who, in his ‘about’ section describes himself in the third person, as if he was not writing the ‘about’ section pertaining to himself. Right off the bat, his voice comes through. He lays out all of his credentials in a simple listed paragraph. He uses his own achievements as a jump off point for his perceived authority on the subject. This gives him an air of arrogance and self-righteousness; however, these characteristics are somewhat subdued in his blog posts, by his use of strong evidence to support his thoughts. . Even just reading a few posts made me reconsider my stance on climate change

A Fellow Greenie

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/heat_wave_los_angeles.html

Was it hot today or what? I mean, living in LA is like living in a frying pan, you walk 10 feet out of your house and you are already drenched in sweat. You sit in class and your afraid to take your backpack off because the pretty girl always sits behind you. Which is problematic, due to the large sweat stain that has formed on your back. Then as you descend deeper in your chair, to hide the shame, you think... I need to buy a bike to avoid this humiliation in the future. 


What does this have to do with anything? 

Hello World

I have always prided myself on my opposition of modern communication trends. I had a phone with buttons until last year. What I mean is that I have never cared much for texting, blogging, or social networking. In my opinion, it is 10x more efficient to pick up a phone and ask someone what they are doing rather than typing out individual sentences.

I believe that our generation, who has grown up with all of these new technologies, is more isolated than ever. We have lost touch with reality. We can’t unplug we are addicted to technology and even though communication is easier than ever, we have never been farther apart.