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Hidden History of the Human Race Pt.9

Video: YouTube

I’m perfectly OK with a scale of human existence being much longer than generally thought. But, I’m not incline to some spiritual; for want of a better term, ethereal type being devolving back in to our current form. Now I’m not knocking all together the concept of devolution… the current US President George W Bush has some striking likenesses to a chimp, though I’d not want to be so disparaging to the chimps.

As for catastrophic events on Earth, which may have brought to a screaming holt the development of earlier humans, they are many. The polarity issues (North to South and visa versa) occur on a regular though widely spread, apparently the last one occurred about 780,000 years ago, and were overdue for the next one… this will create havoc with GPSs, Aircrafts and boats, and who knows what effects it may have on our electrical systems.

Another possible set back for humans in the distant past could have been of a volcanic nature… should the caldera in Yellowstone let go, and it too is apparently overdue, it would or will devastate, not just the US, but perhaps the planet.

Then a third candidate is meteor or asteroidal impact, and if you want to feel a little paranoid about that nightmare, do a search in Google Earth for impact sites, it’s alarming how many there are and how they are spread over time.

So the possibility that earlier humans and their civilizations were devastated in the past is with us and you only have to realize that under certain circumstances, our civilization is very much dependent on electricity… think about that, think about what happens if the electricity is turned off for a few months along with sudden catastrophic climatic change.

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)

Video: YouTube

It’s probably the Engineer in me that loves this stuff… these machines are awesome and I’m very impressed with the way Malaysia solved their traffic and flood mitigation problems.

This initially is going to sound a little hypocritical, when I mention that I was a draft dodger. No it wasn’t that I wouldn’t fight to protect Australia… I just wasn’t going to be involved in propping up a corrupt South Vietnamese government. Actually, I’m in favor of National Service… not necessarily in the military service, but more for full Citizenship Rights; including tax benefits.

Now the National Service which I would like to see implemented in Australia, is I believe, more along the lines of Norway’s National Service, where people who had ideological issues with the military, could opt instead for positions within other government organization or on national projects.

What has this to do with TBMs? Well, when I see these machines, I see an opportunity for Australia to carry out large long term projects. Projects such as using a variety of these TBMs to rebuild our dilapidated and wasteful storm water and drainage systems, which would then incorporate power, gas, and water mains… that would get rid us of those godawful and dangerous power lines, thereby reducing the numbers of people killed and horribly injured on the roads (and save countless billions of dollars in the long run). It would also reduce the likelihood of increasing power outages from the probable increasingly frequent and violent storms caused by climate change… and it would allow us importantly, to make use of whatever storm water we get.

No doubt I’ll be shouted down by a variety of people, but I don’t see any government being likely to under take such huge projects, those morons cant see past the next election, and their sole method of insuring they win, is pleasing big business, who likewise are short sighted and can’t see past their own bottom lines.

If I was Emperor, after I’d rid us of most of the Lawyers (spit on the ground) and politicians; I’d run the country by referendums like Switzerland. The first thing I’d suggest, is that we maximize the funding to the universities, collages and schools, get them to come up with the necessary alternative plans needed to run Australia… part of my idea is to reward participants for their two years of National Service, by giving them a fully funded University or Collage education, or conversly a low interest business loan or home loan. A dumb country only serves the elite few, whilst an educated country serves the majority… you either spend money on jails or schools.

By doing this we could undertake national projects that could extend for decades and which would normally never be undertaken by governments… or businesses. We could do the things that politicians are now totally incapable of doing, and perhaps gain a few fringe benefits, such as engendering some national pride and camaraderie, which I’m sure would come when people from differing walks of life work together, as they did on the rare but incredibly successful Snowy Mountain Scheme… anyway I’m raving again and my finger is getting sore from typing, so enjoy the other clips.

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in action in Kuala Lumpur

Video: YouTube

POST CONTINUES Read more

Regenerative Drive System (RDS)

This morning whilst listening to our public national radio station, I heard a report of our current Labor government’s removal of some government grants.

Initially rather than go on with my usual diatribe about governmental and banking ignorance and or corruption, I’ll quote directly from our brilliant; despite the previous Howard’s government’s attempts to screw it, ABC Radio National.

Permo-Drive: Commercial Ready grants scrapped

“Now more on how the federal government has scrapped the Commercial Ready program, which provided funding, through dollar for dollar grants, to innovative and fast-growth businesses. Over the years, the scheme had provided more than $700 million in grants and its withdrawal has left 220 Australian businesses dangling, with applications worth from 250,000 dollars up to 5 million dollars pending.

Well, one of those businesses relying on a Commercial Ready grant was Permo-Drive, a company based in Ballina, New South Wales. They’ve developed a remarkable hybrid drive system for trucks and they have 20 demonstrators ready to roll along with huge interest from trucking companies here as well as overseas, including from the US Army. Now the company has written to its 1,900 shareholders to say that without the grant money, the company is no longer viable and will go into liquidation early next month.” ABC Radio National (AM)

Can you believe it? I mean Australia is blessed with a disproportionately large number of brilliant inventors, with an equally large number of famous inventions, yet we are ruled by I’m sure by a disproportionately large number of total morons with IQs lower than my pet rock it seems.

Before I go any further here is a cut ‘n paste section from Permo-Drive’s website technology page complete with images.

POST CONTINUES Read more

Water Fuel Cell panacea presentation

Video: Google Video

To me the obvious ideal fuel is Hydrogen, it’s clean, but above all there’s plenty of it in the universe. I remember once reading that “Hydrogen, given enough time would turn in to people”… or words to that effect, the point is, it was the starting point, it’s the fuel of the original star/s, and from which all other elements cometh.

The problem is, Hydrogen’s not really a commodity that lends it’s self to being controlled or capitalized by big business and until we stop political donations, the energy corporations etc. will not let the politicians force them, or us down that road, think about that next time you fill up your tank and look at the price of petrol.

Website: Panacea Online University

Robin Chase Getting cars off the road and data into the skies

Video: TedTalks

A great presentation of a brilliant and logical solution to our most pressing problems. Wireless mesh-networking technology and a sort of carpooling system, will reduce many of our problems dramatically and quickly… this idea is more likely to improve the standards of living, social integration, reduce pollution hence global warming and perhaps save the planet, than any other thing I’ve seen so far.

There are sooo many opportunities to this method of transportation, and probably far more unseen benefits. The down side, companies wont make as much profit… and therefore governments probably wont react, that’s the worry, the fact that more people will benefit but less companies will. So it’s up to the people, and the price of petrol will help people make the decision that will benefit them.

Our current Australian Labor government, who undoubtedly receives political donations from the coal companies, would sooner give $500,000,000 to coal companies to develop the laughable ‘clean coal’ technology, than to encourage this type of wireless mesh-networking carpooling system… the ‘clean coal’ option they are talking about will take years and years… and still may not work, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

National Bike to work day

Video: Streetfilms.org

National Bike-to-Work Day was started in 1956 by The League of American Bicyclists as a part of the National Bike-to-Work Week. Some have even gone so far as to have a Bike-to-Work Month as well.

The Bike to Work day is a way in which the Bicycle is recognised as a viable means of transport. The event is also a much needed inspiration for green and environmental awareness as well.

The video above shows footage of Bike-to-Work Day in Austin, San Francisco, New York City and Portland, Oregon.

Streetfilms.org has the low down on this event and you can see their story and many more at the link below

Website: National Bike to work day via treehugger.com

Car Runs On Air

Video: YouTube

This little Air car reminds me a bit of the Citroën 2CV, which was and possibly still is, that ugly little underpowered French car, which strangely enough was quite popular. In defense of the French, the Citroëns as a rule have always been very innovative, but as with most rules, the 2CV I still think was the exception that makes the rule.

I believe that this Air car could well be an answer to pollution, global warming and commuting, it’s specs are pretty good, and to be honest I can’t see why it would not be so. Their claims are that it will do up to 200 miles, 60 mph and it can apparently be charged in something like 3 minutes… these are all very good and believable numbers, and it could do this with virtually zero emissions, especially if it’s compressed gas comes from using photovoltaic solar cells to power the air compressors.

However, the ‘perpetual motion’ thing is marketing doing what marketing does, make glib, uninformed statements which are ignorant of the laws of physics.

Dragon Power Station

Photo: Coolgadgetconcept.com

So by now we would have all heard of Wind, Solar, Hydro, Geothermal and Wave Energy. All of these are good reliable proven sources of renewable green energy.

Well there is a relatively new system called the Dragon Power Station that has been developed by entrepreneur Terry Kenny. The principle of his design is a set of plates that are installed into the road, when trucks or cars pass over these plates they compress hydraulic fluid in tanks under the road, this in turn creates a pumping action, which is then used to turn a generator and produce electricity.

Terry has installed his Dragon Power Station at the Port of Oakland where there are around 2500 trucks driving over his plates each day. He expects for this prototype to produce between 5000 to 7000 kilowatt-hours each day, enough to power 1750 homes.

Good thing about this design is that given the trucks or cars driving over the plates would already be doing so, there appears that there would be very little net carbon emissions with this system, maybe a small amount in the production of the hydraulic fluid being used.

“The “Dragon” is already set to be installed in some other prime locations and Kenney foresees a profitable deal out of these devices.”

Website: Dragon Power Station via Dragon Power Station

Meet Trev

Photo: South Australia University

Photo: Car Domain

Staff and students at the South Australia University have designed and built an amazing vehicle called the TREV (Two-seat Renewable Energy Vehicle). The Trev is a tandem two seater, with enough luggage space for at least two overnight bags and it weighs only 300 kgs; obviously using a 2+ tonne vehicle for 2 commuting people or less is totally ridiculous.

This energy-efficient car is clean and quiet. It complies with road safety and worthiness regulations, has a top speed of 120 km/h and gives something like 150 km of city driving before it has to be recharged! The electricity costs about $0.18 per kWh and the cost of recharging Trev is only about 2 cents per 2 km (mile)!

The South Australia Labor government has long been a leader in the promotion of alternative energy. Recently the SA government passed legislation, that allows anybody or even small businesses, who produce more power than they need from renewable sources, to sell back their excess power for twice the going rate… how totally excellent is that, and tomorrow we shall have a closer look at that.

Website: TREV Team South Australia University

“Time flies fellows, clock’s ticking”

Video: TEDTALKS


Well, where do I start. Phew, what an excellent approach to fixing so much of the Oil and Transport problems… not at a cost, but whilst making savings and employing more people.

So many solutions & opportunities, it’s all straightforward and doable, and I believe possibly in a much shorter time frame. But, there’s always a but, it is not going to be accomplished by the planet’s current management.

D&D Experience 13 Miniatures

Video: YouTube

Now it may sound or even look a little weird to have not just ‘young adults’; I wont say here playing, using Miniatures, but there are valid reasons, hey if your going to shoot an arrow, or as a Sorcerer or a Wizard, a Lightning bolt at someone, you should know that they are in the line of sight, that there’s not say one of your own team in the way. By the way, Lightning bolts are soo cool… as a Sorcerer I took out my first two Dragons with these.

The Miniatures also prevent ‘poetic licensing’; otherwise known as bullshiting, as to where exactly you were when you took your shot… and how far since that too is important, which is what all those squares are about, they each represent 5′.

It’s sad to say that Dungeons & Dragons is not immune to the same sort of Bullshit that the rest of society is, we’ve got our own share of self centered, egocentric, manipulative, lying SOB or just plane dumbarses as everyone else, but at least they can be entertaining. Hey, it could be worse, you could be working with or for one, or even worst still, one could even be ‘leader of the free world’. Mmm, talk about fantasy, I keep hoping I’ll wake up in a cold sweat!

How A Simple Innovation Saves Money

Video: YouTube


This is a great example of lateral thinking that too many companies would omit from their operational procedures.

Actually it’s not really so much lateral thinking but more Thinking, which more often than not is not done because of office politics, a tenancy to fix the blame rather than the problem and a system where managers often are, when they are not trying to justify their often excessive salary packages, are more interested in screwing workers and unions rather than encouraging those on the shop floor to take part in the managerial process.

A company should be a Team not just rhetorically but in reality. Where workers who come up with solutions are rewarded… from my experience it was often the workers who had the practical knowledge, but were largely ignored because of the illusory divide between the ‘workers’ and ‘management’… now I’m going to be accused by some of being a ‘communist’ or a ’socialist’, when in fact I’m a member of an even more hated group, a group hated by both the Capitalists & the Communists, which to my mind are both badly failing systems.

I’m a Social Democrat, a believer in true Democracy, unlike America’s phoney ‘democracy’ where votes are either ignored or stolen. Where most people have either given up or can’t be bothered to vote. I’m a supporter of more Referendums like the Swiss, though with more Spirit, I’m in favor of a touch of anarchy, not quite as bad as the Italians but more like the classic Australians, who fought above their weight both in sport and war when they had to, who despised class systems, stuck up for the underdogs and were willing to give a hand when needed.

I’m raving again aren’t I? mmm OK this is what really has set me off. We just got rid of what I consider to be probably The Worst government Australia has had, a government run in my opinion by a few incredibly mean spirited individuals led by John Winston Howard, though put in power by the same types responsible for the like minded George W Bush. Well eventually Australia woke up and the extreme right wing ‘liberal’ Howard government was Slaughtered.

It was the extreme right wing desperation to drive down the workers with what’s called AWAs (Australian Workplace Agreements) effectively banning Unions and forcing individuals to supposedly bargain without representation with intimidating bosses waving cleverly worded contracts. This despite Unions in the last 20 years having for the most part, been more responsible than the bosses, whilst the bosses and directors pay themselves huge and ever increasing salary packages. It is I believe, this that largely led to Howard’s spectacular demise.

So far so good, the people decided and the Rudd Labor government, and although I’m not convinced that this new government is all together immune to the influences of Lobbyists and the machinations of the ‘New World Order types, I did appalled Rudd’s Sorry to the dispossessed Australian Aboriginals who have been treated sooo appallingly for so long. Rudd seemed sincere though it remains to be seen how much the Aborigines situation changes.

But what really pissed me off was a recent Liberal rather clumsy attempt to apparently tie Rudd in with corrupt members of both parties both state and federal, in a an apparent shonky development deal in Western Australia. Now we are going to have another American type smear campaign, that some parts of the media, in the pathetic guise of informing the public, will blow up for their own benefit, possibly in the hope that it will either distract or immobilize the new government… the arrogance of this is almost too much to be believed.

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