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 Author Thread: Solar Power Breakthrough
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 8 (view)
 
Solar Power Breakthrough
Posted: 8/4/2008 6:39:08 AM

A catalyst speeds up a chemical process. It doesn't participate in the reaction, and it doesn't add energy.


I know what a catalyst does and I wasn't implying that the catalyst provided the energy. I am just more familiar with biological ones (ie. enzymes).


Electrolysis powered by solar energy might eventually prove to be economic....


That is closer to the point. Nocera and Kanan appear to have discovered a process that will make it possible to develop affordable means to harness solar energy. The original Science article is not so easy to access, but there are actually several other articles on the net describing this breakthrough and the first one I cited doesn't give as much detail as the original one I read.

I may also have confused the issue by bringing up the hydrogen boost systems for vehicles, because although somewhat related, they aren't directly relevant to why I started this thread. Sorry for that.

Here are a couple of better articles that may help explain why I think this is such a big deal. I found these via Yahoo news search, because Google originally sent me to less useful articles.

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-02-01.asp
http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-4645.html

What still concerns me the most is that in order for these potential technologies to be fully developed, they have to be accepted by the general public. That requires awareness of their existence and some way to prevent the information from being bought and suppressed by those who may lose profits if we move away from carbon sources of energy. Does anyone think we have finally reached the point where the public will demand that new technologies such as this be developed and made available? I hope so.
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 4 (view)
 
Solar Power Breakthrough
Posted: 8/3/2008 7:46:39 PM
According to Rocketman Len:

The electrical system in a car simply CANNOT provide enough power to electrolyze water in the amounts required to boost mileage that much.


If I understand it correctly, the reaction requires a catalyst and the discovery of one that is effective is key to this technology.

From thr Science abstract:

.........This catalyst not only forms in situ from earth-abundant materials but also operates in neutral water under ambient conditions."


I guess I would just like to see more discussion of this before someone manages to suppress it. If it is not legitimate I want to learn why it isn't, and how these scientists managed to get it published in a peer-reviewed journal as reputable as Science.
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 1 (view)
 
Solar Power Breakthrough
Posted: 8/3/2008 5:58:05 PM
I am surprised I couldn't find any mention of this in my forum search. Sorry if I used the wrong key words (ie. the title of this thread). This isn't the first time I have heard that this technology has the potential for much more practical applications than previously believed. My mechanic recently told me he is working on a technology that can use the electrical system in any vehicle to convert water molecules to their atomic components and utilize the resultant hydrogen immediately to increase gas mileage by 50 %. Thus eliminating the problems with storage that have been used as an excuse for not developing hydrogen technology for general use. Why aren't people excited by this and talking about it?


http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/peripherals/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=209901610
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1162018


This is not my area of expertise, but it certainly intrigues me. According to this article, scientists have found practical ways to harness power from sunlight and water, resources that are currently abundant almost everywhere on the planet. Could this be the answer to many of the current economic and political issues that are tearing the planet apart...... or if legitimate, will it get quickly buried like other potential technological advancements that threaten the profits of corporations that benefit from present global dependence on carbon-based energy sources?
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 32 (view)
 
The Global Poverty Act & Obama
Posted: 5/11/2008 10:00:55 AM
MG,thanks for putting the original post in perspective for those of us who are interested enough to read the real story.

jafo, let me get this straight..... so since Obama supported this legislation, (which sounds like part of his present job as a member of the committee and appears to be one of the few pieces of legislation that both parties in this Congress seem to agree upon), it automatically "proves" he isn't going to do anything for THIS country? That kind of logic explains a lot about why some people are blind to the real issues at hand and grasp at reasons to bash the candidate they dislike the most.

What exactly have Clinton or McCain done during the same time period that
"proves" either of them WILL keep any of their promises, or do anything to improve conditions in this country?
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 29 (view)
 
The Global Poverty Act & Obama
Posted: 5/11/2008 8:34:07 AM



Well it's good to know that he's not doing nothing in the Senate like so many people keep saying. No experience my foot!

Okay, he gave away US tax dollars for starving Africans. Yeah, he's now experienced and ready to be President.


AHHHHH! Now we have it. God forbid a person with African ancestry support any legislation that might help people from that particular continent. Geez, sounds like a real conflict of interest...... Good thing conflicts of interest aren't allowed for elected officials in this country!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 10 (view)
 
The Global Poverty Act & Obama
Posted: 5/11/2008 5:32:05 AM
Again, that 2005 G-8 conference statement was agreed to and negotiated by George Bush.

If you want to blame Obama on that one, it shows how skewed your thinking is. He had zero to do with it.


I agree. I get so tired of seeing people trying to find excuses to discredit a candidate. I would much rather see what reasons one has for supporting a particular candidate. That is much more useful information. Any kind of "negative campaigning" (especially when unfounded) only makes me lose respect for whoever is using such tactics and I tend to discount anything else they have to say on the matter. I would also like to believe the desperate attempts to use Obama's middle name against him seriously underestimate the intelligence of the average voter.

As for the original topic, I would love to see my tax dollars that are currently funding war, and the shameful profiteering associated with it, going instead to help improve the world view of this country and the conditions of people everywhere, regardless of who supports such legislation.

No candidate is perfect, but I believe Obama is sincere in wanting to make changes in the right direction. I just hope enough Americans with the intelligence to see what is really going on are paying attention and will be voting in November, not only to elect a Democratic President, but to change the balance of power in Congress as well. The record turnouts at the primaries are very encouraging.
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 381 (view)
 
Barack Obama’s longtime pastor.
Posted: 3/22/2008 3:17:49 PM
Maybe reading the following article would be useful for those who are willing to keep an open mind and recognize that this whole issue with the Reverend Dr. Wright has mostly been a way to divert attention away from the real problems in this country. I applaud Barack Obama for the courage he demonstrated with the speech he gave earlier this week in Philadelphia. I believe he is our brightest hope and he has my vote.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032208F.shtml
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 83 (view)
 
Imagine a world without supremacy at all.
Posted: 12/12/2007 8:29:28 PM
I rarely post on these forums but I admit I lurk in them a lot, and now and then I feel compelled to post. So I apologize for not contributing more than I do.

I have read most of this thread and I will say that the title attracted me, in spite of (or may be because of?) the utopian view it suggested. I was very curious to see who originated such a thread and what take they had, as well as what others had to say. I have read most of the posts and felt this might help anyone who read the following but not the subsequent posts by the OP. Here is what I am responding to:

Posted by Breea on 12/12/2007 851 P.M.

Original Post:
We would have no one to blame for our problems except ourselves. We can be proud of our accomplishments because of what we did, not because of what was given to us.We would be treated according to who we are inside rather than the color of our skin, gender, financial situation,religion, sexual orientation, or political views. When I get a promotion at work, I will know I deserved it, not because a white women was needed or because I got the promotion because a black women was not wanted. I will know a mechanic will fix my car properly, being he sees me as an equal, rather than a women who he can take advantage of because I dont know anything about cars.

Might I ask how this was so hateful, just curious.


I just wanted to saythat I honestly think the OP meant well and was trying to work through some of her own frustrations in a "constructive" way when she posted this. However she allowed her extreme prejudice and ignorance to show in subsequent posts, and that is what I believe was being referred to in what I (hopefully correctly?) quoted above.

As for my opinion, I work in neuroscience and I know that we are all born open and ready to learn. ALL of prejudice is learned, whether from what our parents tell us or from our own "experience". Generalization is natural because it helps us simplify the multitude of inputs we have to process, so some people (especially those who lack quality teaching at an early age) probably tend to generalize about others based on basic "observable" attributes at a very young age. Those assumptions may or may not be supported by subsequent life experiences. However what I think is most important is that the human mind is a wonderful thing that is capable of learning and growing throughout our entire lives. I wish more people took the time to read threads such as this one so that they could perhaps recognize the hypocrisy in their own thinking. Perhaps the OP could even benefit from going back and reading her own words?

Sorry for the possible overuse of the word "subsequent" in this post!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 13 (view)
 
Bush's most current failed exam
Posted: 7/22/2007 6:46:47 AM

Exactly HGT- liberals that are more dangerous than terrorists to this country. al Qaeda's best friends are the Democrats in Congress. God help this country if one of these pacifists gets in office- God help us!

Bush is far from perfect- immigration especially- but he has kept this country safe since 9/11. The liberals have fought him on every measure of security from the war to the Patriot Act. Bill Clinton ignored terror for eight years, turned down OBL three times, and let al Qaeda run amok. Let's not bring his dyke wife in for an encore.


Don't people like this read and pay attention to anything that is actually going on?

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/071707D.shtml

al Quaeda has grown MUCH more powerful thanks to the actions (and non-actions) of Buch & Co. The post quoted above exemplifies the kind of ignorant and naive thinking that allows this corrupt, fear-mongering administration to perpetuate the myths they have created. It frightens me to know there are still so many haters out there who are anxious to buy into the lies so they can feel comforted that their tax dollars are being spent to "protect" us. I think its great that these forums help us identify a few of them.

On topic: I hope they forgot to give him the "amnesia" pill before the procedure. He should experience and remember how it feels to be an American taxpayer right now.
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 53 (view)
 
Best Signs....
Posted: 6/30/2007 11:32:49 AM
A handwritten sign at a gas station/convenience store in southern Illinois:

FRIED CHICKEN
CATFISH
BUFFA

I turned to my young son and said: "I wonder what a 'buffa' is?", thinking it must be some kind of fish.

He said, "Um, how do you spell buffet?" LOL
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 141 (view)
 
George Bush's world
Posted: 5/27/2007 5:21:46 PM

Lobby your own goverment to speak with one voice. We're doing the same down here.


Ummmm. I AM an American and I HAVE lobbied for what I believe in . I was in Washington DC on January 27th for the Rally. I lobbied on Jan 29th for an end to the war. I believe we need to get our troops out of Iraq! What have you done for what you believe in?
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 137 (view)
 
George Bush's world
Posted: 5/27/2007 4:17:20 PM
msg. 135: Amen!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 134 (view)
 
George Bush's world
Posted: 5/27/2007 3:59:08 PM
Wow! This thread sure brought out the crazies and the hate mongers!

OP: thanks for your post. I agree with all but the last line:


I'm almost starting to feel sorry for him.


I might feel sorry for him if he wasn't in a position to cause so much distruction. I guess I do feel a little sorry for those folks who are so afraid of anything different from themselves that they would condone the slaughter going on in Iraq just for that false sense of security it seesm to give them. How tragic! I just hope they are all too preoccupied with hiding from the "boogyman" Bush has been threatening them with when the next election comes around!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 37 (view)
 
Cilantro Taste
Posted: 5/4/2007 8:02:21 PM

Ummm Italian Flat leaf parsley is Cilantro. Again always helping !


Ummmm, I think cilantro is sometimes called chinese parsley, but it is definitely not the same as Italian flat leaf parsley! They may look "similar" in the store, but the taste is very different. If you have ever grown it as I have, you would definitely know the difference!

BTW cilantro is great with fresh pineapple!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 2 (view)
 
EASY - lemon pepper chicken -
Posted: 3/17/2007 6:38:32 PM
Sounds great! Wish I had seen this before I made chicken stir fry tonight. I saw another thread earlier mentioning corn flakes.... definitely going on my shopping list!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 7 (view)
 
your ex and a close resemblance
Posted: 3/4/2007 6:28:52 AM

as i said,..i know i could get him or attract more from him..but is the roller coaster ride worth the price in the end...if it derailed???


From all that you have said, it sounds like roller coaster rides is what you are looking for. You appear to get off on conflict, so derailment is almost inevitable. I think you should try to figure out what you really want from this guy before you do anything that you will later regret.
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 23 (view)
 
Zen and the art of pizza baking
Posted: 2/23/2007 12:56:34 PM

How about a great sauce recipe? I have tried a few but they never work out right. I like that sweet an smoky tropical sauce from Panago- does anyone know how to duplicate it? Second, I like a sauce that is spicy but can stand on its own with plain cheeses.


I like to add a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil to petite diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes (drain excess liquid with a fine strainer first), and thicken with just a little tomato puree or paste if necessary. Then add desired spices, chopped fresh herbs like basil and oregano when available, garlic and even a little little red pepper. The balsamic vinegar gives it a tangy zip. I try to use fresh mozzarella on the pizza whenever possible and like it best when I keep the toppings simple and minimal.

If you do like a loaded pizza, a good way to prebake the crust while holding its shape is to press it on a pizza stone and cover it with aluminum foil. Press the dough into the shape you want (usually with an edge to hold in the toppings) and add enough dry beans to the top of the foil to fill all but the edge. Then prebake for about 10 or 15 minutes. The weight of the beans holds the crust in the proper shape, and the foil keeps it from turning brown too soon. I know it sounds weird, but I read that in a recipe years ago and found that foil alone won't do the trick and without the beans large bubbles can form that make it uneven and hard to put the toppings on.

Yum, now I have to make pizza tonight!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 109 (view)
 
Am I wrong? What is your favorite cheese?
Posted: 2/11/2007 10:35:15 AM
Oh, cheese is a definite weakness for me! Gruyere, fresh mozzarella, feta, bleu, roquefort, sharp chaddar, I can go on and on.......

Now I really want to go back to Sicily where all the little shops sell this fresh cheese that tastes a little like provolone and comes in these little gourd shapes that look like a sack that has been tied at the top. I think it might be called caciocavello, but I haven't been able to find a source of the fresh version (which has a wonderful mild nutty taste and smooth texture that reminds me of a good gruyere) anywhere here in the states. The aged version isnt nearly as good, in my opionion. I found when I was there in 1999 that if one tries to keep the fresh version of this cheese for a few days at room temperature it turns to "bleu cheese" ..... but that is good too!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 59 (view)
 
Iraq in Fragments
Posted: 2/4/2007 8:15:28 AM

Iraq in Fragments is an award-winning documentary about post-war Iraq directed by James Longley.

Review (http://www.opendemocracy.net/arts/iraq_3372.jsp):

"Iraq in Fragments illuminates post-war Iraq in three acts, building a vivid picture of a country pulled in different directions by religion and ethnicity. Filmed in verité style, with no scripted narration, the film powerfully explores the lives of ordinary Iraqis: people whose thoughts, beliefs, aspirations, and concerns are at once personal and illustrative of larger issues in Iraq today.

and another (http://www.berkeleydaily.org/text/article.cfm?issue=11-10-06&storyID=25593):

Director James Longley has fashioned a documentary that plays like the most meticulously planned fictional narrative, taking the words of Iraqis and draping them over his lush photography. Lines of great beauty and poignancy adorn a continuous stream of stunning imagery that captures the essence of the land and its people at a time when the nation’s fate is at best uncertain.

Just a FYI comrades, in case you have an extra lazy weekend and they might be screening the film near by you, or you are just plain curious how the faces of the dead look like...

Original website: http://www.iraqinfragments.com/


I am really glad this thread was revived! I checked the link and it is being shown at Key Cinemas in Indianapolis starting February 23rd. I will be there with an open mind
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 58 (view)
 
Iraq in Fragments
Posted: 2/4/2007 7:59:25 AM

I like more positive aspects of Iraq not that Saddam loyalist support by Iran and Syria are underminding the Iraqi government.

I assume some look for the worst so they can continue to blame Bush


And then, some of us just want the truth, whether we like it or not. I prefer to read as many sources of information I can and form my judgements based on the credibility of the source and what seems most logical, not based on what I "like". I think that is a huge problem with the American public right now. They gravitate to the so-called "news" that makes them feel better about doing nothing to try to change things.
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 49 (view)
 
The more you want someone...
Posted: 2/1/2007 12:27:04 PM

I mean someone you want so badly that it keeps you from maintaining your rationale and composure.

I have often heard there is no greater pain than sitting next to someone you are deeply in love with and knowing you can not have them. In the context of what I am trying to convey, when they are available you'll inevitably screw it up and come off as needy/clingy when in many cases it isn't that you are clingy or needy, you just really want that particular person - badly.

Love makes us do some really strange things.


I sure am glad to know I am not the only one!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 8 (view)
 
Is The Anti-War Movement Gaining Momentum?
Posted: 1/28/2007 9:39:46 PM

And you'll never even see photos of the 20 million Americans in the streets protesting. We don't exist. That doesn't mean I won't be there.


No kidding! The press is saying there were "10s of thousands" of people marching on Washington on Saturday. Were you there? I was there and that is a major understatement. It was more like SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND. (Actually I thought more like a million, but I will concede to about 500,000.) We were close to the front and it still took us two hours to move the first block! It was like an infinite a sea of people. The Capitol was completely surrounded for the first time in history! I kept hoping the helicopters we saw circling were taking aerial photos to give a better impact on the news. Unfortunately, I guess all the money for things like helicopters is now in the hands of those who are getting rich on the war and they plan to keep it.


That doesn't mean I won't be there.


No kidding! This was my first protest but definitely not my last!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 71 (view)
 
dating your step sister
Posted: 1/13/2007 10:18:50 AM

I posted this thread with a "twist" to the situation to find out what people would think about it....


Good job!

I must say this has been an interesting thread. One great thing about these forums is that sooner or later one can learn how (er...maybe "if"?) some folks REALLY think. Almost all the people who said it was WRONG, said IT JUST IS because she is your "sister". They seemed to think that was enough justification to force their own values on someone else. How two people in such a situation actually regard one another is purely subjective. "Step-sister/brother" is simply a label used to identify a pseudo-relationship formed when two people with existing offspring join in marriage. Whether any form of "sibling-like" relationship develops among the offspring depends on many things, including the circumstances and the ages of the individuals involved. People assume way too much.

Bobby, I wonder if your "sister" would get a kick out of reading this thread? My guess is she would be flattered by what you have said, and the two of you could probably get a good laugh out of it. It might be interesting to know what she thinks!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 41 (view)
 
dating your step sister
Posted: 1/12/2007 10:25:57 AM
Whats with all this making assumptions and passing harsh judgement?

The OP has done a very nice job of explaining the situation and I saw nothing that led me to believe he is trying to "take advantage" of this woman! SHE has been seeking HIS company. He finds her attractive. He wonders if she is interested in dating him. They are both adults! Duh! I see nothing morally or ethically wrong with what he is suggesting. They weren't raised together and AREN'T siblings!!!

What if their parents had never married and they met some other way? What if they were the ones who met and married first, and then later their respective parents became close and started to date. Would that be wrong too? Do some people really think it is wrong for more than one couple to be formed from the same two unrelated families? Geez! I guess its first come first serve!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 38 (view)
 
dating your step sister
Posted: 1/12/2007 8:11:54 AM
Actually, I think the only possible issue here is that you are both separated and therefore probably a bit vulnerable. That has nothing to do with the fact that you have parents who happened to marry after you were both adults. Even if you had lived in the same household at one time, I see nothing wrong with it as long as you are both comfortable and on the same page. We find mates under many different circumstances. You probably happen to know her because your parents married. So what? You could have met her through mutual friends instead.

You could just ask her outright if she has any interest in you other than as a "brother figure"...... and if so, take it very slowly to be sure it is not just a rebound thing that would likely fizzle and spoil the friendship you already have.

Another option is to just continue to be supportive and friendly as before and see what develops. If she is interested in more, I am sure that will become apparent over time.

I agree with a previous post that suggested this is not the best place to seek advice. I don't know where all these people get the idea that there is anything wrong with dating someone who is, in fact, unrelated to you. That attitude seems very narrow-minded to me. Just ignore people who presume to judge you and do what is right for the two of you. Who cares what others think?

Good luck!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 36 (view)
 
dating your step sister
Posted: 1/12/2007 7:47:07 AM
bert504:

"Go for it bobby. just because your respctive parents fell in love and married has absolutly no bearing on weather or not you and your Step Sister choose to fall in love unless the 2 of you let it. what any body else says in this thread is pure balderdash."

My thoughts exactly!
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 39 (view)
 
cheating and sex drive
Posted: 12/11/2006 6:03:51 PM
OP, do I have this correct? You were in a sexual relationship with a married man and he used this excuse for cheating (with you) on his wife? You are perhaps trying to justify your participation?

Maybe you only want to know what others think about this explanation, but you asked if it is "PERMISSIBLE to cheat under such circumstances". Whose "permission'" is being sought? According to your original post, the partner (wife?) in the relationship is being left in the dark and thus has no opportunity to voice an opinion. Isn't that person the only one who might have the right to grant such "permission"?

Regardless of your actual circumstances, I believe the replies you have received would be the same. Cheating is cheating no matter how one rationalizes it. People cheat for many reasons, but that excuse is one of the most ludicrous I have ever heard! I bet it is used to keep it only about sex so the affairs don't get "messy". The person who came up with that one must have serious narcissism issues.
 bekkw
Joined: 10/1/2005
Msg: 12 (view)
 
Yahoo/MSN Chat
Posted: 7/20/2006 7:32:29 PM
Ok, this is actually my first post ever. Apparently none of the others read what Darklight said. The reason NOT to delete the people is that once you have allowed them to put you on their friends list (how does one know if they should "refuse" until they chat a few times?), THEY can still see you online even if you delete them, and can still message you. Once you delete them, you can't control that unless you are invisible to everyone. There have been many occasions when I just didn't have time to juggle three or four (or more) conversations, but there was someone I really wanted to talk with, so I just let certain people "see" me online. So far I have not found a feature that removes oneself from a friends list, once one has given permission to be added. I don't have MSN, but on Yahoo Messenger it is easy to be selective about who can see you online by using their "stealth" feature. I have actually asked friends to appear invisible to me if they knew they couldn't chat with me right then. I think that is much more considerate (because you don't know they are online anyway, so aren't tempted to contact them) than just ignoring people who message you when you don't have time to chat, or are already chatting with someone else. Also, if you find that someone really creeps you out after couple of chats, the only way I know to stay invisible is to keep them on your list too. I think all of the assumptions being made about the person the OP is referring to are based on ignorance.
 
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