Here's another thought about this...

Zero Point Energy, AKA ZPE, has been a somewhat serious undertaking of various scientists. There is also TONS of new-age quackery in this area.

I accede to Jan's assertion that ZPE is a serious undertaking of scientists. I even am willing to posit that there may be some "way cool" results that come from this work.

The second point Jan makes (TONS of "newage" quackery) fits the Orbo announcements, although it isn't as much "newage" as modern business snake-oil. If what they claim is real, let's just wait for it, because it *should* transform much more than just the bottom line of their company.

What I am curious about, what I want to know what others think about this, is why do we believe that *more* available energy will improve the world?

Does it not seem possible (even likely if we look closely) that the ills of this planet today are very likely positively correlated with energy consumption?

I think the main axis of the trade-space is "global" vs "local" (in space and time) optimizations.

What is the collective belief here? Is more accessible energy really going to improve the lot of the planet or merely allow us to pave it over more quickly?

- Steve
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