1381

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 24, 2014, 06:18:43 PM »

Cars do not cover roads all the time.  However, if it is a semi-busy road, then there should be less than two seconds between cars.  So, let's just say any spot on a road has a car on it 1/3 of the time.  Would it not be 33% more efficient to have the panel above the cars? 

The glass being strong or weak really has nothing to do with this.  Glass will eventually be scrached, reducing the efficientcy.  Are you suggesting that they have magical glass that never scratches? 

This all sounds like a scam.  It sounds like these people are trying to make money off of a pipe dream, fed by green hopes.   

It seems like you didn't watch the video either. If all cement and asphalt are replaced by solar panels then you don't even have to worry about the busy roads since there is more than enough sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots that are not being covered by cars to make up for the busy ones. And it's not just about the energy. There are benefits to these solar panels being placed specifically underneath cars.

If a panel gets damaged it is easily and quickly replaced. I'm sure you know what happens when a road gets damaged. Construction crews have to come out and clog up traffic for extended periods of time just to strip and repave the road.

And it's not a scam, "Solar Roadways has received two phases of funding from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration for research and development of a paving system that will pay for itself over its lifespan." This pipe dream is just to get the first prototype parking lot which they inevitably will get.

1382

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 24, 2014, 03:15:37 PM »

It seems to me that, if you want to create electricity by having light penetrate a clear surface, the last thing you would want is for it to have cars drive over/on it.  Rubber is not transparent, and dirty oil is not either.  Not to mention the scratches from little rocks imbedded in the tires.  Plus, the panel does not make electricity when a car is directly over it.  This seems like the dumbest idea I have seen in a while.  Why don't they put put the panels a couple of meters in the air along side the roads?  This would make more sense. 

So you think there are cars covering all the roads all the time?

And the glass is not weak or thin. They've been through 2 rounds of testing and have exceeded all requirements concerning weight and traction.

Plus, it's their hope to have this on sidewalks, driveways, and as sport courts in parks.

1383

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Transgenderism

« on: May 24, 2014, 05:10:51 AM »

Here's a helpful link: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/transgender

In fact, since I reject social gender expectations entirely, one could consider me to be transgender by the second definition of the adjective form on that page.

I would think most people can since very broadly it refers to someone that identifies with elements of both genders. So in that sense a tom boy or a sensitive man would be a transgender, but that's clearly not the common usage of the term.

1384

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 24, 2014, 04:55:12 AM »

I had to look back at why you were even arguing about saving space.

Solar roadways are not just for energy, did you watch the video?

I read all of the relevant material a few months back when Dave posted this exact same thing and I still think it is a terrible idea.

I don't know what he posted but this may have more information. And so far you haven't really said anything as to why you think it's a terrible idea. If you think it's just a novelty that won't catch on that's a bit different than it being a terrible idea.

1385

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 24, 2014, 04:47:19 AM »

Then why of all the points I made you picked this one to attack?

I had to look back at why you were even arguing about saving space.

Solar roadways are not just for energy, did you watch the video?

1386

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 24, 2014, 04:24:35 AM »

You mean all the ones with vast areas of empty space? Which first world country doesn't have any space at all?

Ooh, so your definition of "loads of space" just means any empty space at all. That makes more sense now.

But this doesn't even really matter sense saving space wasn't even one of the big beneficial factors.

1387

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 24, 2014, 04:05:05 AM »

You're leaving out a few densely populated countries there: England, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland. Honestly, that looks pretty crowded to me except for Spain, Russia, and the northern countries. And you're leaving out the other first world nations that are not in Europe.

1388

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 24, 2014, 03:55:34 AM »

Most first world nations don't have a lot of space. And in any case, saving any space rather than destroying and fracturing habitats is always beneficial.

Your definition of first world nation must differ from mine then, because as I see it all of them have loads of empty space.

That's odd.  First world nations aren't up for debate. The blue are first world nations. The USA, Canada, Greenland, and Australia are the only ones with "loads of space" depending on how you define the quantifier "loads".

1389

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 24, 2014, 12:49:26 AM »

They won't be heated 100% of the time.  Just to melt snow.  Which will then freeze later.

It won't let me tag a time, I think there was a work-around but I don't remember what it was. Start the video at 1:15. Sure sounds like it would be heated constantly, they would have the energy for it. Plus, it looks like water runs off pretty easily.

1390

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 23, 2014, 10:58:08 PM »

4. Plow trucks (for us snow prone areas) won't be required.  And ice has a hard time getting into solid glass.  Not saying it isn't possible, just saying it's not as vulnerable as asphalt.

The solar panels will be heated so ice wouldn't be a problem.

1391

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Transgenderism

« on: May 23, 2014, 08:04:19 PM »

I'm honestly on the fence about transgenderism myself.

I can accept both of the arguments here. It seems like it may be a disconnect with society's gender norms like Parsifal said. And if it can help people be the person they truly feel they are then sure, why not? It's their choice, not mine.

But ultimately the issue seems bigger than a personal one which is how I feel about cosmetic surgery in general. People aren't comfortable with aging, women aren't comfortable with small breasts. It doesn't bother me when an individual has cosmetic surgery, but it bothers me that society makes them feel like they need it in order to be comfortable with themselves.

1392

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 23, 2014, 07:50:26 PM »

I just don't see it happening. If it works in a small environment, great. The cost and work of replacing each roadway with solar panels is a ridiculous endeavor. I can see it maybe being adopted by some small (but densely populated) cities, but other than that...

I think it would definitely take time. But if it worked so effectively and had nothing but benefits, then it would be stupid not to. Maybe they would start in small cities, and then all new roadways would be made from solar panels, and then they would slowly start replacing interstates and back-roads.

But I think that other countries would pick it up quicker. Places like Malaysia and South Korea.

1393

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 23, 2014, 07:39:50 PM »

pipe dream.

Why's that? They're ambitious, but if it worked well enough in small settings then it could take off.

1394

Science & Alternative Science / Re: Solar Roadways

« on: May 23, 2014, 07:29:26 PM »

Solar Roadways has received two phases of funding from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration for research and development of a paving system that will pay for itself over its lifespan.
...
The implementation of our concept on a grand scale could  create thousands of jobs in the U.S. and around the world. It could allow us all the ability to manufacture our way out of our current economic crisis.

Seems so to me. It seems like it's nothing but positives.

1395

Science & Alternative Science / Solar Roadways

« on: May 23, 2014, 07:06:48 PM »

Just learned about this and I'm in love with the idea. How possible do you think this would be? Do you think it'll ever happen?

http://elitedaily.com/news/technology/need-convincing-solar-roadways-worth-funding-video-will-help/604220/

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/solar-roadways/x/7638461

1396

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Transgenderism

« on: May 23, 2014, 05:32:57 AM »

You want me to elaborate on how permanently butchering oneself is a disgusting thing to do?  Seriously?  I don't even know how to answer that; I feel just the description is ample enough explanation.

I didn't think it was that big of an issue, Americans systematically butcher their newborn babies.

As do Jews. Are Jews real hip with transgenders?

1397

Arts & Entertainment / Re: First Look at Ben Affleck's Batman

« on: May 22, 2014, 03:00:32 PM »

I think it's a perfect title to represent what a juvenile genre superhero movies are

Yep.

1398

Arts & Entertainment / Re: First Look at Ben Affleck's Batman

« on: May 22, 2014, 03:49:11 AM »

Sounds like an obvious and unimaginative prequel title to the Justice League. No surprise.

1399

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Transgenderism

« on: May 22, 2014, 02:46:39 AM »

I think that using surgery to radically alter your physical appearance and butcher your sexual organs is a poor way to deal with what is at heart a psychological issue.  I am actually an extremely liberal guy about most things, but I think that the notion that we should just accept this practice because "this is who these people are" is taking things a bit too far.  It is truly disgusting.  Whatever happened to just learning to accept ourselves for who we are?  Does that not apply if we have difficulty accepting that we are male, or female?

How do you feel about cosmetic surgery in general then?

I'm not directing this at you, but I notice that men who will have problems with people changing their sex will be completely okay with women getting breast enhancements which seems selfish. "I hate queers who want to be women especially when they trick me into having sex with them. But I love a person born with a vagina that has big fake titties!"
Cosmetic surgery is mostly a psychology problem as well (unless it's for legit medical issues like reconstructing faces or back problems). I'm just interested in where people draw the line with surgeries.

1400

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Just Watched

« on: May 21, 2014, 11:16:06 PM »

If people are paying full price to buy a movie they've never seen before then they've got the money to blow and are probably not the ones who get upset about salesmen mentalities.