Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
1–10 of 23 posts
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#2Super interesting thread, I've always heard lots of doom and gloom about this on Hn threads but seems that there's been a pivotal step forward in the field with these new superconductors
Can only imagine what the world would look like with a limitless energy source like this.
Anyone see any reason not to be highly optimistic about this development?
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#3If this is true, then humanity is also on the cusp of being able to eliminate the impact on climate from burning fossil fuels in one generation!
:-)
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#4Limitless power corrupts without limit.
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#5Super interesting thread, I've always heard lots of doom and gloom about this on Hn threads but seems that there's been a pivotal step forward in the field with these new superconductors Can only imagine what the world would look like with a limitless energy source like this. Anyone see any reason not to be highly optimistic about this development?
if wealth ineauality continues, rich people will ensure it gets doled out for enclaves ot fascist governments.
the politicial climate with a source of unlimited energy seems ripe for the wrong type of people.
technology is not an unbiased "good"
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#6Vaporware. It's been on the "cusp" for 50 years.
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#7Limitless power corrupts without limit.
Pretty sure that is referring to political power rather than sustainable energy. I don’t think there is a direct link between energy efficiency and moral deficiency.
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#8If this is true, then humanity is also on the cusp of being able to eliminate the impact on climate from burning fossil fuels in one generation! :-)
> If this is true, then humanity is also on the cusp of being able to eliminate the impact on climate from burning fossil fuels in one generation!
Depending on how you define 'generation', this may be unrealistic. Even if the whole world economy were to become carbon neutral tomorrow, it would be a while before greenhouse gasses started to go down, and that assumes we haven't already reached a tipping point for a runaway greenhouse effect.
We're already seeing very worrying releases of methane from ocean floor clathrates and from melting permafrost, for example.
Even optimistic scenarios suggest that it would be touch and go for the next couple of decades, and there is little evidence that our branch of the multiverse is following an optimistic scenario.
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#9If this is true, then humanity is also on the cusp of being able to eliminate the impact on climate from burning fossil fuels in one generation! :-)
> If this is true, then humanity is also on the cusp of being able to eliminate the impact on climate from burning fossil fuels in one generation! Depending on how you define 'generation', this may be unrealistic. Even if the whole world economy were to become carbon neutral tomorrow, it would be a while before greenhouse gasses started to go down, and that assumes we haven't already reached a tipping point for a run…
Globally we have about 17,000 TWh (and increasing) of fossil fuel power generation we'll need to replace. It's gonna take a while, and that's very unfortunate.
Re: Humanity is on the cusp of practically limitless energy via nuclear fusion
#10Super interesting thread, I've always heard lots of doom and gloom about this on Hn threads but seems that there's been a pivotal step forward in the field with these new superconductors Can only imagine what the world would look like with a limitless energy source like this. Anyone see any reason not to be highly optimistic about this development?
It all comes down to who controls the tech. Rest assured it won't be set free for the greater good of all.