IMHO If it means climate change due to CO2 emissions is reduced in intensity and Peak oil is delayed, then ethanol is well worth the disadvantages of higher food prices, a few broken engines and a little less mileage. But I have to agree, there are better alternatives. If you want to stick with ethanol, then buy from the most efficient or cheapest source. If Importing sugarcane ethanol from tropical countries in SE asia or S america is cheaper, then do it and dont be afraid to give the finger to american corn farmers. If they can't compete then let them starve Butanol seems to be a promising alternative since you can sometimes use non-food plant products, its not hygroscopic and AFAIK you can use it in unmodified diesel and gasoline engines Dont put politics and emotions into this decision. Use hard math.

The reason I still keep my 10 year old walkman is because aside from my car radio, its the only device I have that has AM radio and works during a power interruption, and I'm too cheap to buy a newer AM radio when I have one that works perfectly. AM radio is perfect for news reports during typhoons

Its possible that all calculations use normal light water reactor designs. I bet the economics would be much better if you used advanced designs like thorium reactors or travelling wave reactors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelling_wave_reactor

SERENDIPITY. I love it

i think biochar as previously posted here would be better since you would not need to rigourously keep anaerobic conditions

I know a pediatrician who had an autistic child. Unfortunately the trauma of the event and the internet conspiracy theorists convinced her to withold that vaccine for her next child. Unfortunately, the next child also became autistic. So now she firmly does not believe in the conspiracy theory. Of course this is merely anecdotal evidence with a very small sample size and many other statistical no-no's.

If you are in the philippines, try this http://www.cdrking.com/index.php?productstype=All+Products&searchvalue=joystick&x=0&y=0&mod=products&type=search

I'm a PC gamer and I live in a third world country. For me digital distribution like Steam is a lifesaver. First, only a few legitimate games ever get to my country as physical discs so digital distribution gives me much much more choice. Second, digital distribution can make the price really affordable. All I have to do is wait for it to go on sale. Since I never plan to turn around and sell these games, the inability to sell them does not bother me. After playing I'll just back them up to a burned DVD But of course DRM is always a problem