Sort of on a more philosophical level, I think we’re gonna have to figure out how we’re gonna deal with change and the pace of change. One of the things I’ve really noticed as a scientist over the last 20 years, I think, is that as scientific and engineering advances occur, they are always accompanied by anxiety on the part of the public about the degree to which those advances – as wonderful as some of them may be in terms of saving lives or improving the quality of life – they bring change and change is hard. And I think it’s going to be a real challenge to manage that change in a way that does not exacerbate sort of the overall level of anxiety that exists around things like stem cells, around Internet privacy, for example. All legitimate things to be concerned about, but anxiety that’s getting in the way with having that technology actually have a positive impact it’s capable of having.
Recorded on: 8/7/07
Discuss
Jonathan Lovell on February 6, 2008, 5:17 PM
I don't think fear of change will be the problem. Allowing an affordable option will cause more reluctance to change. Two camps will be created and each will be adamant that their fuel is the right fuel. We already see this as hybrid cars emerge. They include higher prices, hazardous batteries, Not only in their use but also in their creation and destruction. We are promoting flourescent light bulbs for their energy savings but what happens when they finally wear out and all that Mercury vapour is tossed into our landfills?
Oops wrong topic.
If there is to be a change it would have to be through political will. That means "gasoline is illegal",you must change, is the only way it could. And this idea will be fought.
Jonathan Lovell on February 6, 2008, 10:17 PM
I don’t think fear of change will be the problem. Allowing an affordable option will cause more reluctance to change. Two camps will be created and each will be adamant that their fuel is the right fuel. We already see this as hybrid cars emerge. They include higher prices, hazardous batteries, Not only in their use but also in their creation and destruction. We are promoting flourescent light bulbs for their energy savings but what happens when they finally wear out and all that Mercury vapour is tossed into our landfills?
Oops wrong topic.
If there is to be a change it would have to be through political will. That means “gasoline is illegal”,you must change, is the only way it could. And this idea will be fought.
petty deh on June 24, 2009, 4:26 AM
Yes, hybrid cars and plug-in electric cars (monroe parts) emerged already.. so i think it doesn’t really matter thinking of another alternatives to fuels for gas guzzlers.
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