Wow, Pat Condell has expressed something that I believe with every fiber of my being: exposing children to religion is irretrievably stupid, incredibly dangerous, and insidiously criminal behavior. The core message of the video above is about faith and I agree with that too, but toward the end he discusses how we’re abusing children’s rights by brainwashing them before they even have a chance to know which way is up. We don’t ask them questions, we give them answers they haven’t asked to receive.

Many years ago I read a book by Neal Stephenson called Snow Crash, the core thesis of that book is that certain practices and behaviors can be programmed into the human psyche. It’s a small step from that thinking to begin to believe that religion is a self-replicating virus that largely depends on parents exposing their children to the infectious agent before they are able to build immunity (reason and rational thought) to it.

Guess it’s a video weekend. Visit Pat’s site and view his other work.

If your target audience is straight and male, then this is a very effective technique:

Peak oil is a controversial topic, so Oily Cassandra, good on you. Very effective way to get your target audience to listen. Marshall McLuhan is right, the medium is the message. Now, turning to the actual message, I tend to agree that peak oil has happened or is happening now.

However, I’m not as pessimistic about the outcome as Cassandra seems to be. Yes, there is a downside risk of cataclysmic societal collapse ala “The Road Warrior” – but there is some hope. Oil will not run out tomorrow. Peak oil means we’re not going to be able to increase production of oil from present levels and will enter a decline curve. In the meanwhile, biofuels, while not perfect can help form a bridge to an electric powered economy which is satisfied by a number of different technologies that exist today. It won’t be easy, but it is possible.

The best way to get an American’s attention is to hit them in the wallet, well that’s happening with the devaluation of the dollar and the increased demand for resources globally and ultimately, that, will drive innovation and alternatives. Don’t give up hope Cassandra, education on the subject is a net positive, but it’s not a foregone conclusion that we’ll see the outcomes you predict.

Since I’ve moved all the energy posts to the Renewable Energy Journal, I’ve been trying to keep folks here informed about what’s happening with some snippets of the content posted there each week. So here goes…

Geothermal 101 – A great primer on the geothermal industry.

Western GeoPower Raises $8.6M – More cash for project development raised by WGP.

Want to Get Your Project Financed? – You’ve got a great renewable project, but how do you get the money to execute it?

Drilling Commences at Neal Hot Springs – Oregon gets on the geothermal scoreboard with large-scale project development commencing.

More Dilution at Ormat – The company sells some stock, raises some money, and sinks 5%.

Raser reports Q1 – It’s a mixed bag for Raser, will they get their projects completed in enough time to stave off insolvency?

The Folly of Fueled Power Plants – Another commentary from Blakeslee, pejorative and entertaining.

Waste Water Resort – Sounds horrible, looks great. Don’t judge it until you get the details.

Geothermal Investment Heats Up; Cleantech Bubble Called – So which is it? Does cleantech rule or is it on the precipice of becoming this decade’s stock crash?

Picken’s Green Gigawatt – When an oil tycoon ponys up $3B to start a renewable project, the world recognizes there’s money to be made in them there hills.

That’s it for now, check out the Renewable Energy Journal if you’re just here for energy content. If you like the melange of other stuff, then by all means keep visiting!

Yesterday, in a 4-3 ruling, the California Supreme Court overturned a ban on gay marriage. This is a momentous decision we should all care about, not because it legalizes these unions (congratulations to the many committed couples I know who are now free to exercise their right) or because someone may oppose that view, but because it is a reaffirmation about what America is all about: Freedom.

Ultimately, a citizen of the United States should be able to do, think, say, and pursue *ANYTHING* they choose provided that choice does not infringe upon the rights of others and that person is a productive member of society. This ruling isn’t so much about the specific topic from my perspective, it’s about being American, being free, and actually fulfilling the words of our forefathers “All men are created equal” – and in the 21st century that should read “All People Are Created Equal.”

I’m very often critical of our government due to its many, many failures. But in this instance, I’m proud to see that government is working, protecting the rights of citizens in the pursuit of happiness in the face of determined and committed bigots who oppose freedom for all but themselves in the name of morality, religion, and tradition.

Be free, be happy, and participate in our process or run the risk of losing your freedom.

This weekend at the Ace International Speedway. . .eedway. . .eedway. ..eedway. . .

The Power Tool Drag Races

What, you may ask, are power tool drag races? It’s a sport where gearhead geeks procure and modify any kind of power tool you can think of to race down a 75 foot long wooden track as fast as possible. The goal, to be the fastest power tool in the universe! We got a preview at the Maker Faire a couple of weeks ago, this is the main event.

Here are the logisitics:

The Ace International Speedway
2255 Mc Kinnon St San Francisco, CA 94124-1326
May 17th and 18th 2008
Racing from: Noon – Dusk
Doors Open: 10:00
$20 one day $30 for two
https://www.powertooldragraces.com

The event description:

THRILL as big-block belt sanders and supercharged steam-powered arc
welders put the hammer down on our Custom Made Power Tool Drag Racing Track!

CHILL as machines reach speeds of up to SIXTY WHOLE MILES PER HOUR with LITTLE REGARD FOR PERSONAL SAFETY!

SPILL your beer as you revel in the very height of redneck gearhead culture!

If you live in and around the Earth, this is an event not to be missed! Get to San Fransico now! Music, drinks, debauchery, and really, really cool and fast power tools! Check it out this weekend.