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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

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rshow55 - 06:30pm May 30, 2003 EST (# 12223 of 12253)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

Solar energy's worth a look 12194 http://forums.nytimes.com/webin/WebX?8@13.XEYtbMfSceZ.2951169@.f28e622/13832

http://www.oilcrisis.com/debate/oilcalcs.htm

"1,750 Gb, the estimate of all the conventional oil that there ever was or ever will be, is less than the amount of sunlight that hits the earth in one 24 hour day."

The best photocells have about 20% efficiency - lower efficiencies are easier.

Did some quick and dirty calculations.

If photocells could be mass produced and deployed in large scale mass production at these low prices - the world would have an essentially unlimited supply of energy (transported as hydrogen) at 10$/barrel oil energy equivalent before transportation costs.

For 5% net efficiency - $2.36/square meter

For 10% net efficiency - $4.72/square meter

- - - -

At a basic level - some of the world's most basic problems with poverty - and military conflict - are "as simple as meeting those prices."

Given an objective like that - getting to an optimal solution is mostly in the realm of Edison's "invention" - - where

"Invention is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration."

But if the objectives are clearly defined - the perspiration is worth it because optimal solutions in terms of clear assumptions can be found. And reasonable assumptions can be arrived at.

So that problems can get permanently solved.

- - -

But I believe that all such solutions require patterns of planning that the United States used to identify with - but has rejected. That's a big reason I want permission (and yes, in practice, I need permission) to talk seriously to operations like Deutsche Bank Securities - that are in contact with more open-minded nation states than the US under GWB.

jorian319 - 06:31pm May 30, 2003 EST (# 12224 of 12253)

Jorian319 - "enquiring minds" may only guess - but the NYT could easily find out - if it does not know now. Might be plural - posters .

Oh, come on, Robert! How are we to take lchic saying "no response from Mr. Poster"? I thought I was Mr. Poster (since I hadn't responded, I fit the bill) but then I realized lchic proabably still thinks I'm part of some vast Agency conspiracy, and would therefore understand the silence presumably enforced upon such types.

Actually, I'm in small market media, where I have a surprisingly credible (read "autonomous") voice, and air time to use it. I basically troll these boards for offbeat stuff (not total wackazoid rottenburger-type idiocy) that I can weave into semi-philosophical ramblings about "the way it is". I have a feeling that knowing whothehell "Mr. Poster" is would help in that regard. Oh well. Some get rained out.

rshow55 - 06:34pm May 30, 2003 EST (# 12225 of 12253)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

Search jorian319 , if you're interested - and look for yourself.

jorian319 - 06:37pm May 30, 2003 EST (# 12226 of 12253)

Search for WHAT? I haven't seen anyone advertising themself as Mr Poster. No biggie - the show will go on.

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New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense