Series 3, Issue 14
The week of August 12, 2019
Energy Conundrums
The week of August 12, 2019
Energy Conundrums
The "Collinridge Dilemma" is a peculiar conundrum in which attempts to influence or shape the development of technology faces a double-bind problem:
The “conundrum” is baked into technology.
Sometimes we adopt new technologies that perpetuate the same circumstances we tried to disrupt (solar's dirty little secrets, etc.). Sometimes we cling to “tried and true” technologies in order to avoid tough decisions (fossil fuels; utility grids, etc.). Sometimes we embrace new waves of technology that promise to optimize decisions but introduce new unknowns (analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.).
This issue of Energy Today examines a few energy conundrums. Rather than pass judgement, the articles in this issue treat each conundrum with compassion - whatever the issue and no matter our certainty, try as we might, we are simply not good at knowing or predicting how technology will impact the future.
- An information problem: impacts cannot be easily predicted until a technology is extensively developed and wisely used;
- An authority problem: control or change is difficult when the technology has become entrenched.
The “conundrum” is baked into technology.
Sometimes we adopt new technologies that perpetuate the same circumstances we tried to disrupt (solar's dirty little secrets, etc.). Sometimes we cling to “tried and true” technologies in order to avoid tough decisions (fossil fuels; utility grids, etc.). Sometimes we embrace new waves of technology that promise to optimize decisions but introduce new unknowns (analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.).
This issue of Energy Today examines a few energy conundrums. Rather than pass judgement, the articles in this issue treat each conundrum with compassion - whatever the issue and no matter our certainty, try as we might, we are simply not good at knowing or predicting how technology will impact the future.
Recommended Articles
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Tesla vs Edison
and the War of the Currents by Frani Halperin In the late 1800s there was a battle raging. It wasn’t over territory, ideology, or settling old grudges. It was a clash over how we – and for that matter the world – were going to get our energy. (And a century later, the contest would inspire a rock band to name itself “AC/DC".) |
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There Will Be Buyouts
A Brief History of Texas Oil and Private Equity by Kevin Dowd On January 10, 1901, a mechanical engineer named Anthony Lucas struck oil on Spindletop Hill, just outside of Beaumont, Texas. The site produced a gusher unlike any the world had seen, spewing more than a hundred feet into the air. More geysers soon followed. The Texas oil boom was on. See also: George Mitchell
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Space Research
Saving the Planet ... Again
by Greg Autry
In 1968, the U.S. astronaut William Anders returned from circling the moon in Apollo 8 with a photograph. It was a simple snapshot of the Earth, the whole Earth, rising above the desolate lunar surface. As Anders later remarked, “We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.”
Today conservationists and other critics are more likely to see space programs as militaristic splurges that squander billions of dollars better applied to solving problems on Earth.
However, many of Earth’s problems – most urgently, climate change – can be solved only from space.
Saving the Planet ... Again
by Greg Autry
In 1968, the U.S. astronaut William Anders returned from circling the moon in Apollo 8 with a photograph. It was a simple snapshot of the Earth, the whole Earth, rising above the desolate lunar surface. As Anders later remarked, “We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.”
Today conservationists and other critics are more likely to see space programs as militaristic splurges that squander billions of dollars better applied to solving problems on Earth.
However, many of Earth’s problems – most urgently, climate change – can be solved only from space.
See also: Meet CIMON
California's Oil Hypocrisy
California is well-known for its progressive policies. The state has waged an aggressive campaign to move away from fossil fuels. One of the consequences of this campaign has been a steady decline in California's oil production.
On the other hand, California's oil consumption is increasing.
California is well-known for its progressive policies. The state has waged an aggressive campaign to move away from fossil fuels. One of the consequences of this campaign has been a steady decline in California's oil production.
On the other hand, California's oil consumption is increasing.
See also: Peak Oil
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News from the Society
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The Editors of Energy Today welcome submissions of original articles for publication consideration. Please contact the editorial staff by email with questions or attach the proposed article as a Word document.
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