tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821345570811107481.post8092155517490831305..comments2024-03-17T00:13:44.599-07:00Comments on Marty Nemko: What Might the World Be Like 100 Years From Now?Marty Nemkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14850388752934193821noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821345570811107481.post-20099473088814803062012-09-20T12:07:00.859-07:002012-09-20T12:07:00.859-07:00Well maybe, but it doesn't fly. Flying is very...Well maybe, but it doesn't fly. Flying is very tight technical constraint. Also, I don't know if the powers that be want systems that make U-233 around. It can be made to go boom though apparently it is more difficult to handle than U-235 or Pu-239.<br /><br />I would still say the chances of that being practically realized are very small and that it would be, in fact, a silly place to spend money right now.<br /><br />I do think that small stationary nukes in industrial use or possibly nuclear locomotives would be the real signal to invest in nuclear cars. Maria Lopezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00011548114422637862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821345570811107481.post-46519364910514928732012-09-20T11:32:07.183-07:002012-09-20T11:32:07.183-07:00Nuclear-powered vehicles are viewed as potentiall ...Nuclear-powered vehicles are viewed as potentiall practica: http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2012/ph241/durkin1/Marty Nemkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14850388752934193821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7821345570811107481.post-59984300313602693112012-09-20T10:53:46.817-07:002012-09-20T10:53:46.817-07:00Barring small scale fusion that somehow doesn'...Barring small scale fusion that somehow doesn't leave metal stuff surrounding the reaction radioactive, nuclear powered flying cars are unlikely because fissionable material is very heavy and, of course, dangerous. <br /><br /> I would believe in nuclear powered flying cars when I see reactors used to power hotels or to power wastewater plants and disinfect sewage. In both of these cases, there is less chance of a stupid mistake than with a car.<br /><br />Remember that energy advances are much desired and the fact that few have appeared suggests that they are hidden by a conspiracy that doesn't care about profit or just very hard. Asking for truly safe, light, small scale nuclear power is asking for a lot.<br /><br />I think genetically engineering people will always be contentious. If it does take off it may drive a massive leftward tilt because people will question whether other people who the same genes deserve more money than them. Without it I think things could go to the left or to the right. <br /><br />Because of my leftward bias, I think a rightward shift is most likely. However, I'd count any repressive regime that funnels most resources to the guys on tops as functionally right wing even if it produced redistributionist propaganda.<br /><br />You have also left out the Brave New World scenario where those in power engineer other folks to be stupid sheep.<br /><br />I do think massive bioattacks are possible, including anti-plant attacks that cause starvation. <br /><br />I don't think you could live as a physician in the world you envisioned as there would be no incentive to train a non-engineered person from the past in that field. In fact, I think that few avenues for employment would be open to folks from the past and you might end up squatting some place and living off what you can garden or hunt.Maria Lopezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00011548114422637862noreply@blogger.com