54
ENERGY
Humans at one time depended mostly on themselves as a source
of energy--or help from other humans. As humans evolved,
they created a wider variety of tools. Waterwheels were a
great advance, especially in grinding grains, etc.
The steam engine and other inventions brought on the
industrial revolution. Along with that came crowded
factories that were noisy, dusty, and often dangerous to the
worker. Electricity was kinder to the workers. Some people
believe that the fractional horsepower motor has eliminated
the need for most big factories.
Throughout recorded history, there have been glorious
advances in human knowledge and achievements, along with very
dismal episodes. Today, humanity has developed great powers
over nature and over other human beings. This power has
brought on problems which are endlessly discussed. However,
solutions to the various problems are often passed over. The
solutions are usually controversial.
Where do we start. I will start with the coming shortage on
oil. Presently, we are importing about 54% of our needs.
This makes our country vulnerable. There is a frantic search
for more oil, but the easy sources are mostly depleted.
There should be a frantic effort to cut down on use of oil.
Here are possible solutions. They will not be popular.
1. Increase the tax on gasoline to bring the price close to
$3 per gallon. This could cut down on what I call frivolous
driving.
2. The Chinese believe in regional self-sufficiency. They
believe that the farmers and raw materials producers
surrounding Shanghai should supply Shanghai. And the same
with their capital city Beijing. The local farmers should
concentrate on feeding Beijing.
Locally, big trucks take strawberries from Watsonville,
California to New York City. The strawberries we grow in
California are not special. The Hudson River Valley could
supply all the strawberries needed in their area. They can
grow them with little or no irrigation. When the price of
oil skyrockets, there will be no way of supplying cheap
strawberries to New York.
3. I would place a heavy tax on air conditioners in cars.
Air conditioners in homes are much too wasteful and
contribute to poor health. Houses can be built with better
ventilation systems using fans and special construction like
they used to do in Arabia. I suggest eliminating garbage
disposals in the kitchen. They are hard to maintain and
cause danger to children. Clothes dryers use a lot a energy.
People could be encouraged to use clotheslines.
At one time, people worshipped idols and were full of
superstitions. Today, fancy automobiles have become our
idols, and people have new superstitions. Millions of people
buy automobiles that they cannot afford. They borrow at high
rates of interest to pay for their cars. Auto loans are the
biggest consumer debt. I believe the figure is over one
hundred billion dollars.
Auto loans, high repair costs and high liability settlements
are another astronomical expense.
I suggest that the government say to the big three American
car makers: design a moderate sized car that is built to
last twenty years, with no change in outward design during
this period. Small improvements of parts could be made
without changing the outward appearance.
This car would not be inferior in quality. It would have
great tax advantages. No air conditioning. Possibly a stick
shift. No radio or hi-fi; they are a distraction to drivers.
I believe they cause accidents. The car could have various
additions, but this would increase the tax. The car
companies would save money. They could use the same body
molds indefinitely. Auto companies presently spend billions
just to change the look of a car without changing the
functions. There would be practically no recalls. No
advertising would be necessary. The mechanics could become
quite knowledgeable about fixing this particular car. In
case of an accident, there would be no fancy grills to fix,
no weird looking fenders. Possibly the car could be made in
more than one size, but most of the parts would be
interchangeable. They could be made with plenty of room
under the hood. Presently we see big motors squished down
into cramped spaces--difficult to service or repair.
Oil prices will rise to the point where school busing is too
expensive. The nation will need to go back to neighborhood
schools. All children, rich or poor, would not graduate
unless they could demonstrate that they could use their hands
skillfully and communicate adequately with other people. To
do this, they could earn money at school making various
things. They could learn to do assembly work where there was
little chance of injury.
Selected adults would work in the factory associated with the
school. They would share a lunchroom with student learners
who were earning a small amount of money. Some of the money
the students earn could go toward having really good lunches
with the adult workers. Good workers could be rewarded with
dinners where they could bring a member of their family or a
friend. Adults who smoke or habitually use foul language
would not be hired. A small apartment house might be
associated with the school. Apartments could be rented to
older skilled people who might also work in the school
factory. The students could make their own school outfits or
dresses. They could do this on an assembly basis.
School Lunches. At many schools the school lunches are less
than adequate. The lunches should be a model of sensible
eating. They might avoid being taken in by the junk food
craze. Eggs should play an important part in the lunches.
Eggs should come from growers that treat the hens decently
and not in wire cages. The school should be willing to pay
the price for quality. All eggs can be tested for freshness
by putting them in a bowl of water. Quite fresh eggs lie
flat on the bottom. As the egg gets older, the air space at
the big end of the egg becomes larger. As the egg gets
older, the large end tends to rise. If the angle is 45
degrees or less, I consider the egg reasonably fresh. If it
reaches a 90 degree angle, it is rather stale. It is not
harmful to eat but does not appeal to me. I'd throw them
out. If an egg floats, it is really ripe. Some people like
fertile eggs. I do not know if this is significant.
Music. Singing is one way of acquiring fluency in a
language--simple songs where the words are intelligible.
Much of the singing I hear on TV is just a loud jumble of
noise--accompanied by weird antics by the musicians and
singers. All the students should learn some songs in a
foreign language.
