05-31-2007, 01:11 AM
Quote:You'll get no disagreement from me, if you read my original posting. Especially the Lithium link and afterwards.
No offense, but the quote you used make it seems as if I said current EVs are a perfect solution that is ready now, which is not what I wrote at all. Let's not take my words out of context, I don't remember doing that to you so I'd appreciate the same courtesy extended back.
Maybe I didn't write it clearly, but the main reason I put up that lithium link was -NOT- to tout EVs as a perfect and ready for prime time solution. Let's get that clear here and now.
Huh?
If I reply to your post it doesn't necessarily mean it's a counter argument to yours. You brought up electric cars, and I decided to elaborate my thoughts on it. No need to get your flame retardant undies on, there was no flaming intended :)
The internet is a funny thing, tone doesn't carry over in words. But human beings read with tone, even when its reading silently. I can't apologize for the post per se, rereading it I don't think there was anything wrong with my response. But I do extend an apology for the mix up over tone, I can see where you felt it might be a counter argument to you. Most definitely not my intention!
Quote:Why not combine the two.
It's not as outlandish as it seems. There have been plenty of people who use bicycles to generate electricity. There was a professor when I was a student that powered all the energy in his office with a solar panel and a bicycle hooked up to a generator.
In a sense, the human body does produce a lot of energy that could be harnessed for other uses. Working out being a prime example. It's not unlike the idea behind modern hybrids, harnessing the energy lost during braking.
Since we can't get around the laws of thermodynamics, using the body for the express purpose of energy doesn't make much sense. Even barring draconian images of men on monster hamster wheels, the increase in food demands would offset the use. But if we are doing the work for other reasons, such as fitness, why not try to tap into the extra energy a bit. I'm sure some big gyms could benefit from hooking up cardio equipment (treadmills, bikes, etc) to small generators and storing the energy to power lights etc.
Cheers,
Munk