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VK3ABK > ENERGY 12.06.05 11:05l 72 Lines 4104 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 48449_VK3DSE
Read: GUEST OE7FMI
Subj: Re: ZL4AJS and Nuclear Energy.
Path: DB0FHN<DB0MRW<OK0PKL<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<TU5EX<F6GAQ<ON0BEL<VK7AX<
VK3AC<VK3APC<VK3ATM<VK3AYM<VK3DSE
Sent: 050611/0351Z @:VK3DSE.#MEL.VIC.AUS.OC #:48449 [Narre Warren] FBB7.00g25
From: VK3ABK@VK3DSE.#MEL.VIC.AUS.OC
To : ENERGY@WW
Hello all 'Scientists'?
Having read a lot of interesting opinions on the subject of Global Warming
(climate change!) the one thing that stands out is that we are all trying
to forecast the future. A future that may not be decided by rational
thought, but eventually by frantic need for energy to power our lives.
Most democratic governments are dead scared of offending minorities who are
forecasting doom, and are sure they are right in everything.
But the immediate danger on packet is that some of us are being much too
dogmatic in bulletins that criticize those with opinions that don't
fit the most widely published answers to future catastrophies. The cause of
global warming, or 'apparent climate change', is not known. It is thought to
be affecting the weather in most parts of the world at present. But, given
the age of the world, and the few 'seconds' that we know, it would be a brave
investor who would bet on the outcome. Personally, I cannot accept the notion
that we small human inhabitants can cause the kind of energy upsets that
nature does with sun and wind, or geological events like earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions, and recently Tsunamis. A good meteorite hit is bound to
upstage our best attempts to change the face of the world.
Nuclear energy is an unknown science to most of us and the engineering
required to use it is still being developed. There is sufficient evidence
that Nuclear power generation is an accomplished fact. An estimation of 30%
of world energy is being generated by Nuclear reactors, with nearly 80%
in France. An recent news item about a small compact nuclear generator being
developed in Japan, is worth watching. This, for power generation and water
desalination (I suggested this some time ago) would benefit small communities.
So, let's not be too sure that the world is not ready for the latest kind
of energy, and future developments, when the alternatives are unsatisfactory.
And let's not try to beat down the thinking of someone who is obviously well
read and informed by a progressive source. The increasingly antagonistic
comments directed to Andrew, ZL4AJS, by those who have read from different
sources, are becoming insulting. I see 'The Scientific Method' is being used
as a blunt instrument to try to score a hit. Unfortunately, T S M is being
somewhat bent these days to fit a particular need. I'm concerned by the
number of environmental scientists who sport beards. This seems to be saying,
'I'm with it' or 'I'm a specialist in my field so I need a badge'. It isn't
hard to find a 'scientist' to support any opinion about anything.
The recent diatribe from some of the 'Internet trawling brigade', who can be
selective in their reporting of 'facts' has returned us to the bad old days
of name calling and insults which turned some of us off packet corresponding.
It doesn't take long to upset someones dignity and get a nasty reaction that
attempts to put the blighter in his place. (For those who are not Anglo-bred
a 'blighter' would be a fit description of a colonial such as Andrew, ZL4AJS).
A 17 year old who can write (without spelling errors) the well presented
bulletins and his considered opinions, is the sign of a outstanding student.
As it happens, I am in agreement with much of what Andrew has said on the
subject of Nuclear energy and I have long seen it as the best chance we have
of supplying our future needs. Any danger has been understood for ages, and
compared with the thousands still being killed by coal mining and drowned by
water based power schemes, to name two of the obvious worst, it is 'normal'.
Millions are dying in need of electrical energy to provide basic life support.
I once suggested in a bulletin that the French have succeeded in building a
satisfactory Nuclear energy industry without a death. The two comments that
tried to point out the Rainbow Warrior incident, failed to acknowledge that
as a political stunt. Blame Greenpeace!
Maybe we should ask a French co-respondent to add some facts to the debate.
73. Dick. VK3ABK.
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