In the early days of the old list, I, as well as others, mentioned all of the down sides of fusion which would not make it much better than fission in some respects, much as Lidsky campaigned.
The perfesser and I discussed this at some length during his visit here in November.
Others on the old list were quick to point out the much heralded and never done P + B11 reaction as aneutroninc, but that is a very long ways off and does, itself, wind up with some radioactives anyway. (doesn't all fusion effort seem distant at times?)
I have also championed fission as the only workable immediate solution to an ever worsening energy problem.
If it really gets bad, as I have ranted before, all the problems with fission will magically just disappear or be quickly swept under the table. The power hungry hoards needing immediate Sega and DVD fixes will stomp the greenpeacers and tree huggers into the stone age. Such is the nature of mob mentality.
Believe me, when the lights start going out all over the world, the mob mentality will show its face and the politcos will weathercock in talleyrand fashion in the direction of least resistance and do what is right AT THE MOMENT.
The pity is, strides should have been taken enrgetically all along, but the good ship lollypop was sailing smoothly on an ocean that just seemed slightly choppy. Storms and crisis conditions come upon the unprepared with frightening speed.
Richard Hull
Created on Tuesday, February 06, 2001 5:47 PM EDT by Richard Hull