The uninformed often cite nuclear power as the way to go. And why do they say it's the way to go? That's because nuclear power produces very low carbon emissions, therefore we save the earth, therefore it's good. So very wrong! Nuclear power produces 2 major problems. The first is heat. Nuclear fission produces so much heat which gets transferred to water which is used to cool the reactor. So you get lots and lots of hot water which is dumped where? Into the sea, rivers, lakes etc, and trust me, hot water pollutes and kills wildlife. And not only does it just kill the wildlife nearby, but it screws up the salinity and temperature gradient for a larger part of the water body its dumped into.
What is the second problem? Well, that's nuclear waste. Nuclear waste can be used to make nuclar weapons, so that's one thing you have to deal with. Secondly, it takes thousands or millions of years to disintegrate. So how? Just dump into the ground lah! Yah the ang mohs have been trying to dump nuclear waste under a mountain in Nevada, and they have so much problems with that. There is even a whole ship load of nuclear waste from the US that is doing a world tour because nobody wants to be responsible for it. Just this week there is an article in the Economist bout some scientists who discovered a way to shorten the life of nuclear waste to 100+ years and its supposed to be a big deal! 100+ years is still a pretty long time!
I think fuel cells are the way to go. That's probably the cleanest fuel around, though it costs a bomb. And all that production of hydrogen probably has some side effect. What process is used to make hydrogen? Not so sure, but I recall learning in secondary school that it was the Haber process? Haber process also produces ammonia, is that good or bad? Seems like every new scientific process has many side effects that we may not realise in the short term. Guess that's just life....
Friday, March 24, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
Never trust the HR!!!
I stole this from a friend's blog. But considering its incredibly funny, and she found it on google, I guess I'm not gonna get sued. Here goes:
A highly successful Human Resources Manager was tragically knocked down by a bus and killed. Her soul arrived at the Pearly Gates, where St. Peter welcomed her: "Before you get settled in," he said, "We have a little problem... you see, we've never had a Human Resources Manager make it this far before and we're not really sure what to do with you." "Oh, I see," said the woman. "Can't you just let me in?""Well, I'd like to," said St Peter, "But I have higher orders. We're instructed to let you have a day in hell and a day in heaven, and then you are to choose where you'd like to go for all eternity." "Actually, I think I'd prefer heaven", said the woman. "Sorry, we have rules..." at which St. Peter put the HR Manager into the downward bound elevator.
As the doors opened in hell she stepped out onto a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club; around her were many friends - past fellow executives, all smartly dressed, happy, and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played a perfect round of golf and afterwards went to the country club where she enjoyed a superb steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil, who was actually rather nice, and she had a wonderful night telling jokes and dancing. Before she knew it, it was time to leave; everyone shook her hand and waved goodbye as she stepped into the elevator.
The elevator went back up to heaven where St. Peter was waiting for her. "Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing, which was almost as enjoyable as her day in hell.
At the day's end St Peter returned."So," he said, "You've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. You must choose between the two." The woman thought for a second and replied, "Well, heaven is certainly lovely, but I actually had a better time in hell. I choose hell." Accordingly, St. Peter took her to the elevator again and she went back down to hell.
When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends dressed in rags, picking up rubbish and putting it in old sacks. The Devil approached and put his arm around her. "I don't understand," stuttered the HR Manager, "Yesterday I was here, and there was a golf course, and a country club, and we ate lobster, and we danced and had a wonderful happy time. Now all there's just a dirty wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable." The Devil looked at her and smiled. "Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you're staff."
A highly successful Human Resources Manager was tragically knocked down by a bus and killed. Her soul arrived at the Pearly Gates, where St. Peter welcomed her: "Before you get settled in," he said, "We have a little problem... you see, we've never had a Human Resources Manager make it this far before and we're not really sure what to do with you." "Oh, I see," said the woman. "Can't you just let me in?""Well, I'd like to," said St Peter, "But I have higher orders. We're instructed to let you have a day in hell and a day in heaven, and then you are to choose where you'd like to go for all eternity." "Actually, I think I'd prefer heaven", said the woman. "Sorry, we have rules..." at which St. Peter put the HR Manager into the downward bound elevator.
As the doors opened in hell she stepped out onto a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club; around her were many friends - past fellow executives, all smartly dressed, happy, and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played a perfect round of golf and afterwards went to the country club where she enjoyed a superb steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil, who was actually rather nice, and she had a wonderful night telling jokes and dancing. Before she knew it, it was time to leave; everyone shook her hand and waved goodbye as she stepped into the elevator.
The elevator went back up to heaven where St. Peter was waiting for her. "Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing, which was almost as enjoyable as her day in hell.
At the day's end St Peter returned."So," he said, "You've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. You must choose between the two." The woman thought for a second and replied, "Well, heaven is certainly lovely, but I actually had a better time in hell. I choose hell." Accordingly, St. Peter took her to the elevator again and she went back down to hell.
When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends dressed in rags, picking up rubbish and putting it in old sacks. The Devil approached and put his arm around her. "I don't understand," stuttered the HR Manager, "Yesterday I was here, and there was a golf course, and a country club, and we ate lobster, and we danced and had a wonderful happy time. Now all there's just a dirty wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable." The Devil looked at her and smiled. "Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you're staff."
Cal in The Economist
Thanks CC for pointing out that Leon Powe, Cal basketball player, is on page 57 of The Economist this week. If you are not reading the Asian edition it's probably on a different page. I haven't read the article yet, so I have no idea what his pic is doing there, but I don't think it has anything to do with Cal. Well, Go Bears anyway!
(StanfUrd Sux!)
:P
(StanfUrd Sux!)
:P
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