[Tarrccrys]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/sc...ml?ref=science

Interesting - necessity and invention have been close friends in the military, and have brought us many of the technologies that we depend on in our civilian lives. The vulnerability of the oil-based supply chain is becoming increasingly apparent, and the US Military is beginning to respond.

This may be exactly the kind of shove that the green technology movement needs - a huge money source, quick (forced) adoption, and rapid testing in difficult conditions. What a great opportunity!

[urbalatte]

That is interesting. And it makes complete sense. Tankers delivering fuel to American encampments are easy targets, so finding something to replace that fuel seems like a no-brainer. This will undoubtedly give green tech a push.

[BakerBonce]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/sc...ml?ref=science

Interesting - necessity and invention have been close friends in the military, and have brought us many of the technologies that we depend on in our civilian lives. The vulnerability of the oil-based supply chain is becoming increasingly apparent, and the US Military is beginning to respond.

This may be exactly the kind of shove that the green technology movement needs - a huge money source, quick (forced) adoption, and rapid testing in difficult conditions. What a great opportunity!

The military can justify the cost of the technologies they deploy because it's on our dime for our defense, when it's the general public, just who is going to pay?

[BEKREUNSEPBERw]

The military can justify the cost of the technologies they deploy because it's on our dime for our defense, when it's the general public, just who is going to pay?

well of course they can. i think the point being made here is that the military will be experimenting with and developing new technologies that could make them less cost prohibitive.

[Rounteetepe]

Aw, fuck, come on, we all know they're just trying to make a renewable energy bomb.

[S.T.D.]

well of course they can. i think the point being made here is that the military will be experimenting with and developing new technologies that could make them less cost prohibitive.

A small but true example is GPS. Back when it first was used a GPS receiver cost thousands... now... 39.99 if you don't want to use the one already in your cell phone.

[cheesypeetyz]

A small but true example is GPS. Back when it first was used a GPS receiver cost thousands... now... 39.99 if you don't want to use the one already in your cell phone.

perfect example.

[h4z1XBI7]

Aw, fuck, come on, we all know they're just trying to make a renewable energy bomb.

Something just isn't right here... just can't put my finger on it...

[Centurnion]

Aw, fuck, come on, we all know they're just trying to make a renewable energy bomb.

Hmm. Solar laaaaseerrrrs?

[lierro]

tsquare, Speakeasy, et al,

OK, I give-up.

Originally Posted by Originally Posted by Speakeasy Aw, fuck, come on, we all know they're just trying to make a renewable energy bomb.

Something just isn't right here... just can't put my finger on it...
(QUESTION)

What is a "renewable energy bomb?" What are we talking about that is "renewable?"

Is it an energy weapon? Or is it a convention munitions bomb?

Most Respectfully,
R

[Impariclainna]

tsquare, Speakeasy, et al,

OK, I give-up.

(QUESTION)

What is a "renewable energy bomb?" What are we talking about that is "renewable?"

Is it an energy weapon? Or is it a convention munitions bomb?

Most Respectfully,
R

I was just joking around. Sort of poking fun at how the military was largely responsible for the era of atomic power in their quest to make the atomic bomb. Obviously, the idea of a "renewable energy bomb" makes no sense.

[BipiewExifese]

well of course they can. i think the point being made here is that the military will be experimenting with and developing new technologies that could make them less cost prohibitive.

Business will be developing the technologies the military will experiment with and deploy. As it does now. There is no reason to assume cost will make anything less cost prohibitive. Operational technologies and technologies you can deploy on a national residential and commercial scale are different beasts.
Yes innovations may come out of benefit at great cost to business and the tax payer.

[Deseassaugs]

Business will be developing the technologies the military will experiment with and deploy. As it does now. There is no reason to assume cost will make anything less cost prohibitive. Operational technologies and technologies you can deploy on a national residential and commercial scale are different beasts.
Yes innovations may come out of benefit at great cost to business and the tax payer.

Like everything else - they will be expensive for the early adopters, and then economies of scale will allow them to become ubiquitous

touch screens
LCD screens
GPS
etc.

[GfBTWMmV]

Speakeasy,

Thanks.

I was just joking around. Sort of poking fun at how the military was largely responsible for the era of atomic power in their quest to make the atomic bomb. Obviously, the idea of a "renewable energy bomb" makes no sense.

(COMMENT)

I obviously didn't have my "little gray cells" engaged and my "sense of humor" on.

v/r
R

[mymnarorump]

Speakeasy,

Thanks.

(COMMENT)

I obviously didn't have my "little gray cells" engaged and my "sense of humor" on.

v/r
R

No worries, most of my jokes don't make any sense, so you're certainly not alone.

[BoboStin]

This will change the world.

Today they are running photobioreactors on the far flung fire bases in Afghanistan.
Tomorrow you will be raising fish, produce, and fuel in your basement.

Your looking at the next economic boom.

[SHaEFU0i]

I was just joking around. Sort of poking fun at how the military was largely responsible for the era of atomic power in their quest to make the atomic bomb. Obviously, the idea of a "renewable energy bomb" makes no sense.

That was a joke? I thought you were talking about making green EMP bombs.

[EliteFranceska]

If there is one place that a solar panel makes sense, it's near a tent in the middle of Bumfuck dessert somewhere in Iraq. I wouldn't read too much into it.

[Verger99]

That was a joke? I thought you were talking about making green EMP bombs.

Brilliant! Wait, I wasn't joking! The credit is mine!

[Habalinnyf]

Like everything else - they will be expensive for the early adopters, and then economies of scale will allow them to become ubiquitous

touch screens
LCD screens
GPS
etc.

Not universally true of all technologies and the military doesn't have to worry about economy of scale they are concerned about mission effectiveness. The military is free to pursue expensive short term technologies that will not outlive competing technologies because they need to act to meet relatively short term objectives, future viability doesn't always limit development of mission critical gear. They can dump funds into a very expensive programs and get them to work but when a competing technology arises that fills the role all development beyond sort comings exposed are lost in the earlier now obsolete technology.

Curiously enough at the same time the military is also amazingly slow at innovating cutting edge technologies because it must make sure it can supply,maintain and operate technologies in a mission environment.

LCDs by example have several decades of development before any military body deployed the technology.

There is a lot of expense and heartbreak in technology development and marketing. Beta was actually superior technologically to VHS but was not marketed as efficiently and was limited by non technological marketing/production decisions. I know of an alcohol based plastic that will rot away in an environmentally neutral fashion at a controlled rate which would work great for packaging that for some reason commercial industry just isn't interested in. (well I know the reasons, I just can't say what they are because of NDA)

All investment in near term deployed technologies will not result in cheaper mass produced technologies being available in the future. Most of it will wither and die on the vine for a wide range of reasons.