Earlier quoted context omitted.
> First off, we are not at existential risk from climate change. A bold claim indeed.
Not really. Even RCP8.0 wouldn't lead to extinction of the human race.
Solar Roof
301–310 of 455 posts
Re: Solar Roof
#302People are thinking way too much about how much this saves them at a personal level. I think people should instead be thinking about how we can save the existence of the entire species, and all other higher order forms of life on earth, rather than focusing on their individual tax breaks, savings, or other trivial concerns. Yes, your cash flow is rendered quite trivial if life on Earth ends. Invest in the Life Econom…
While noble, it seems the opposite is true. I think most people don't care about future problems, let alone other life forms. Musk has done so well precisely because he's marketed his products in a way that they appeal to people on a personal level. I mean, he could have started with a low performance, average-looking, electric, family sedan. Instead he sold something much more emotive/egotistical, with huge success.…
Re: Solar Roof
#303People are thinking way too much about how much this saves them at a personal level. I think people should instead be thinking about how we can save the existence of the entire species, and all other higher order forms of life on earth, rather than focusing on their individual tax breaks, savings, or other trivial concerns. Yes, your cash flow is rendered quite trivial if life on Earth ends. Invest in the Life Econom…
I agree with the sentiment, but I have to correct your idea that global warming is a species-ending problem. The worst-case scenario of global warming (which might be inevitable given the current CO2 levels) is a 216 foot rise in sea level [1]. This will cause mass migration and be extremely expensive and unpleasant for society as a whole, but poses little threat of ending humanity. NASA's JPL did a great lecture a f…
Re: Solar Roof
#304Re: Solar Roof
#305Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yeah good luck with that plan. ("Honey, if we get a solar roof it will help the planet, but we'll have to put junior in the cheaper preschool to pay for it. Whatya think?")
It's unfortunate that people can't see that junior dealing with the effects of climate change in 30, 40, 50 years could be a lot more devastating to his life than the prestige level of his preschool.
Re: Solar Roof
#306People are thinking way too much about how much this saves them at a personal level. I think people should instead be thinking about how we can save the existence of the entire species, and all other higher order forms of life on earth, rather than focusing on their individual tax breaks, savings, or other trivial concerns. Yes, your cash flow is rendered quite trivial if life on Earth ends. Invest in the Life Econom…
Re: Solar Roof
#307Re: Solar Roof
#308Earlier quoted context omitted.
>If I put that same $40,000 in an index fund that got the stock market's historical 7% average, and waited 30 years, I'd have $308,000. Are you doing the math all in present dollars? Because the return is 7% after inflation but >10% before. So you'd have >500.000 in 2047 dollars. In this case it's important to do that adjustment because you're doing an investment upfront for payoffs over 30 years so the value of mone…
You're not deducting income tax on the dividends.
Re: Solar Roof
#309Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I looked at getting a metal roof, and standing seam was going to cost about $16k. Same. There seems to be a subset of HackerNews who thinks that most homeowners can pay $50k for a roof and $35k for a car. It's cool high-end stuff, but certainly is not mainstream.
$35k for a car is absolutely mainstream - in fact that's just about the average price for one... [1] https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/05/04/new-car...
Re: Solar Roof
#310Earlier quoted context omitted.
While noble, it seems the opposite is true. I think most people don't care about future problems, let alone other life forms. Musk has done so well precisely because he's marketed his products in a way that they appeal to people on a personal level. I mean, he could have started with a low performance, average-looking, electric, family sedan. Instead he sold something much more emotive/egotistical, with huge success.…
The reason a high-priced car was the first offering is because that's the only way to bring the new technology to a reasonable price