LED lighting, and a small ranty rant,

[Hammerskjold]

I take a dim view on the government banning something we've lived with for 100 years,

That reads a bit vague to me, excuse my weariness\wariness since I've been around that particular block for too long.

What do you mean by that exactly, do you mean you think it's stupid to ban a technology that is pretty much a buggy whip by today's standard? And it's pretty much on it's way out, except for very few uses that so far, there is no practical substitute for?

Incan light bulbs can take high temp no problem, so they're fine in oven lamps for example. IIRC, there is even exceptions for things like 'appliances clause' to cover this.

Though it doesn't make sense to keep putting incan lights or fluorescent in fridges and freezers, since LEDs is the opposite and loves the cold, and actually becomes more efficient the cooler the temperature. The only limiting factor is the electronics, but in general (and I don't claim I'm a electronickist here) most modern electronics likes cooler temps vs hotter temps.

If that's what you mean, I absolutely agree with you there.

If what you meant is we lived with a 100 year old technology, because it's now 'tradition', and tradition must be defended because it's apple pie and sunshine. Eh...no.

If I'm going 'inna woods', along with my LED flashlight and a magnesium firestarter (though most likely it will be a dollar store Bic lighter), I may pack a hatchet that has a basic design so old a cave man might recognize it.

But I sure as hell am not going to carry a hatchet made out of stone. Now flint knapping is a great skill to have if you're stranded with absolutely no gear. Hell, I'd love to have some stone tools artifacts, a real antique bronze age sword, for the sheer historical value of it. But for going inna woods, in 2013? No thanks. There's been progress on material improvement somewhat. Same thing with lighting technology.

Second, the process of choosing incentives, or bans is one that begs for lobbyist crony manipulation.

I have no problem with government setting standards, as in you cannot have rat poison in milk. Seriously, I don't see that kind of thing as 'meddling'.

I don't even mind if they give out a one time prize for demonstrable, tech improvement etc. There are certain things that whether you or I like it or not, and even you acknowledged albeit backhandedly, only government can do. The invisible hand of the free market is not always a benevolent one, and government intervention\regulation is not always the big bad 'freedom lovers' make it out to be.

I'm not alone in skepticism -- http://www.archlighting.com/lighting-des...mment.aspx

Hmmm, I'm more inclined to ask what's their stake on this? Maybe I'm misinterpreting the tone, but a few things do stick out to me here.

Two events, to be specific: the introduction of a 40W and a 60W A19 replacement lamp at the $10 price point, and the Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall of 554,000 A19, G25, and PAR20 LED lamps.

Now I'm not an architecturalist, but I did remember reading some years back, there was a debate on where the industry might go. Some wants LED to go custom designed, built in fixture. It has pros and cons, but it favours new construction obviously.

And I never read a straight answer on how easily maintained \ repaired \replaced these fixtures would be. I'd rather not see them go the inkjet printer model, with customers needing to contact specific models\brands for replacement \repair or your beloved Galt forbid, tied into an 'ecosystem'.

Another group saw a big market in retrofitting common, and already existing fixtures. It has it's owns pros and cons, but the big advantage I like is you don't need a new construction. If you have an A-19 socket, or any lamp with a compatible socket, retrofitting it is not a problem.

Now excuse my bluntness if I am wary and weary that a writer for architectural lighting site, may have a bias more towards new construction and customized fixture, vs common and already existing construction and standardized fixtures.

Disruptive technology is disruptive. Sorry if I don't shed any tears on some 'too big too fail' companies when they should've looked at 'adapt or die' instead.

But hey, there's always this store for all the freedom lovers who thinks big bad gov is taking away your incandescent bulb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P85vZpYF3Yg