A fundamental flaw with the renewables argument is that "if we only had enough" solar panels or windmills
This stupid assertion needs to be taken down. There is no high-energy future without high density energy (fuels, nuclear). Time to assert this reality. CO2 effects are a management issue, not mitigation
We in the United States have the incomprehensible challenge of a zealot almost
psychotic drive to leap into renewals immediately by our politicians with any rational , critical thinking or strategic roadmap. Of course we have as a President a man that deserves better as a sick and demented senior with over 50 years as a non-productive politician, buy that is our democracy; we have to dance the dance with the girl we voted for ..problem is the immediate alternative is maybe worse.
“ politicians on both sides of the Atlantic continue to talk about the energy transition although the talk increasingly sounds like a scratched record.” I would think you are too young to remember scratched records! Good wordsmithing!
When my wife was a child in China the Red Guards came to her house to look for anti revolutionary material and discovered her father's collection of vinyl records, which they took into the street and threw into the bonfire with other precious, but heretical items from other families. Later, after a few years in the US she planned her first trip home and was able to locate copies of most of the destroyed LPs. When she proudly presented the heavy pile to her dad he looked at her with surprise and said "Don't they have CDs in America?"
Ironic or farcical? Hypocrisy or idiocy? Stupid or evil? Questions posed at a simplistic level call for simplistic answers. I read the article twice, searching for what I assumed, mistakenly, would be a shred of constructive commentary or suggestions, hidden within the unrelenting torrent of criticism. "The Man in the Arena."
Apparently, I'm not providing the level of complex argumentation you expect. This is my choice. I have found that suggestions can be inferred from criticism but this is just me, of course. Also, I am not under any obligation to offer solutions to energy problems. I can only make suggestions and the manner, in which I choose to do this, again, is up to me.
I did not and do not question your right to choose whether -- and, if so, how -- to address issues and/or offer suggestions or constructive commentary; nor do I have expectations regarding what you should or should not write. I simply observed that simplistic questions beget simplistic answers; and that your chosen approach struck me as informed primarily by criticism/negativity. As regards the latter, I offered a reference for contextual purposes, namely, "The Man in the Arena," by Theodore Roosevelt.
The job of a journalist, as I understand it, is, in addition to reporting on current events, seeking out the truth, even when this truth is uncomfortable for many or even a few, especially those few who are in power, since the well-being of all of us largely depends on these in power making the right decisions. They are not, in Europe and in the U.S., hence my criticism.
A few observations: (a) there is a fundamental distinction between journalism and commentary; I see only commentary in this article. (b) I would submit that a genuine quest for truth (reality) tends not to to be well served by reliance on overly simplistic questions/distinctions. Finally, to be clear, I do not view this exchange of ideas as having a "personal" element or as involving animus of any kind.
Indeed, there is a distinction. Yet commentary on facts is part of journalism. As for simplicity and complexity, all complex things have a simple foundation.
The Decouple Podcast this week was a deep dive into the madness of the French electricity market with Mark Nelson and it is staggering how bad France (but basically all western governments) have screwed up the management of the energy system. Unfortunately while all these government folks are getting an energy education this is going to hurt real people.
The pitchforks are coming soon and that is a scary prospect across the world.
Its an informative, funny, and also sad interview. You and Mike Nelson on the same podcast could test the limits of those in this string concerned about the proliferation of negative commentary. Just a thought.
For the record, vitamin C is spelled "vitamin sea".
I think the EU/US bashing starts to lose its fun aspect, what with the spectacle of these politicians contradicting themselves on a daily basis. You can only enjoy headless chicken for so long.
None of these politicos are good at eating the humble pie; it's hard for them to say "sorry, I was wrong, back to the drawing board". Hence the increasingly desperate attempts to reconcile reality with the sound bite they memorized last week.
What makes me real sad though is that Irina's voice seems to be very lonely in the media landscape - haven't seen many journalists calling out the bulls**t and confronting Ursula and her ilk with their bad decisions.
What makes me hopeful though is that the Russian invasion threw the wrench in the transition plans - it was unsustainable in any case, and the sooner it came out the better. Now, at least, we could have a more realistic plan about the transition, that's unavoidable anyways, and a more realistic idea of what can and can't be done.
I don't actually feel lonely, there are a lot of people calling for rationality, many of them with the education/expertise to support their calls with scientific facts. I'm honoured to know some of them, who have been of great help for this newsletter.
I do hope we see some realism, even if it had to be forced on our decision-makers.
A fundamental flaw with the renewables argument is that "if we only had enough" solar panels or windmills
This stupid assertion needs to be taken down. There is no high-energy future without high density energy (fuels, nuclear). Time to assert this reality. CO2 effects are a management issue, not mitigation
We in the United States have the incomprehensible challenge of a zealot almost
psychotic drive to leap into renewals immediately by our politicians with any rational , critical thinking or strategic roadmap. Of course we have as a President a man that deserves better as a sick and demented senior with over 50 years as a non-productive politician, buy that is our democracy; we have to dance the dance with the girl we voted for ..problem is the immediate alternative is maybe worse.
Many of us are in a similar position and paying dearly for it. We can hope things will change.
“ politicians on both sides of the Atlantic continue to talk about the energy transition although the talk increasingly sounds like a scratched record.” I would think you are too young to remember scratched records! Good wordsmithing!
I am most certainly not. I grew up with records. They're still around, by the way. :)
Oh yeah. I forgot about the vinyl renaissance!
:D You're too kind. I did grow up in the 80s, I've been through it all, vinyl, tapes, mp3 players... Good times.
8-tracks?
Those I missed.
When my wife was a child in China the Red Guards came to her house to look for anti revolutionary material and discovered her father's collection of vinyl records, which they took into the street and threw into the bonfire with other precious, but heretical items from other families. Later, after a few years in the US she planned her first trip home and was able to locate copies of most of the destroyed LPs. When she proudly presented the heavy pile to her dad he looked at her with surprise and said "Don't they have CDs in America?"
I love a good, though sad, story with a humorous twist at the end!
Ironic or farcical? Hypocrisy or idiocy? Stupid or evil? Questions posed at a simplistic level call for simplistic answers. I read the article twice, searching for what I assumed, mistakenly, would be a shred of constructive commentary or suggestions, hidden within the unrelenting torrent of criticism. "The Man in the Arena."
Apparently, I'm not providing the level of complex argumentation you expect. This is my choice. I have found that suggestions can be inferred from criticism but this is just me, of course. Also, I am not under any obligation to offer solutions to energy problems. I can only make suggestions and the manner, in which I choose to do this, again, is up to me.
I did not and do not question your right to choose whether -- and, if so, how -- to address issues and/or offer suggestions or constructive commentary; nor do I have expectations regarding what you should or should not write. I simply observed that simplistic questions beget simplistic answers; and that your chosen approach struck me as informed primarily by criticism/negativity. As regards the latter, I offered a reference for contextual purposes, namely, "The Man in the Arena," by Theodore Roosevelt.
The job of a journalist, as I understand it, is, in addition to reporting on current events, seeking out the truth, even when this truth is uncomfortable for many or even a few, especially those few who are in power, since the well-being of all of us largely depends on these in power making the right decisions. They are not, in Europe and in the U.S., hence my criticism.
A few observations: (a) there is a fundamental distinction between journalism and commentary; I see only commentary in this article. (b) I would submit that a genuine quest for truth (reality) tends not to to be well served by reliance on overly simplistic questions/distinctions. Finally, to be clear, I do not view this exchange of ideas as having a "personal" element or as involving animus of any kind.
Indeed, there is a distinction. Yet commentary on facts is part of journalism. As for simplicity and complexity, all complex things have a simple foundation.
In the end, how long is the "short term" really?
Hopefully you were spared the trauma of having your favorite music eaten by an 8-track tape player!!!!
That I was, but I had plenty of tapes chewed up by regular cassette players and Walkmen. A painful experience.
The Decouple Podcast this week was a deep dive into the madness of the French electricity market with Mark Nelson and it is staggering how bad France (but basically all western governments) have screwed up the management of the energy system. Unfortunately while all these government folks are getting an energy education this is going to hurt real people.
The pitchforks are coming soon and that is a scary prospect across the world.
Sounds interesting and worrying. Could you share a link, please?
Absolutely!
https://youtu.be/isgu-VrD0oM
Its an informative, funny, and also sad interview. You and Mike Nelson on the same podcast could test the limits of those in this string concerned about the proliferation of negative commentary. Just a thought.
I was actually put in touch with Mark nelson by a mutual acquaintance but he was too busy for an interview at the time. But it remains a possibility.
He'll see the value of connecting with you, I'm sure. Thom
For the record, vitamin C is spelled "vitamin sea".
I think the EU/US bashing starts to lose its fun aspect, what with the spectacle of these politicians contradicting themselves on a daily basis. You can only enjoy headless chicken for so long.
None of these politicos are good at eating the humble pie; it's hard for them to say "sorry, I was wrong, back to the drawing board". Hence the increasingly desperate attempts to reconcile reality with the sound bite they memorized last week.
What makes me real sad though is that Irina's voice seems to be very lonely in the media landscape - haven't seen many journalists calling out the bulls**t and confronting Ursula and her ilk with their bad decisions.
What makes me hopeful though is that the Russian invasion threw the wrench in the transition plans - it was unsustainable in any case, and the sooner it came out the better. Now, at least, we could have a more realistic plan about the transition, that's unavoidable anyways, and a more realistic idea of what can and can't be done.
Vitamin sea sounds wonderful. :)
I don't actually feel lonely, there are a lot of people calling for rationality, many of them with the education/expertise to support their calls with scientific facts. I'm honoured to know some of them, who have been of great help for this newsletter.
I do hope we see some realism, even if it had to be forced on our decision-makers.