We take in two trillion in taxes every year. We spend three trillion. While government has a role, is that role three trillion worth? Put that in perspective and ask what we get for that extra $1,000,000,000,000? Control the spending problem then worry about the taxing issues.

Write them both, either could be president in January, and maybe they'll bring up NASA funding around job creation during the election.

OK, that's a stretch....

Customs and baggage when flying internationally. Does take that long plus I said "and getting transportation". Many airports have lines for taxis, buses/trains to rental car lots, and even the walk to the mass transit. Some airports are better than others, but 1-2 hours to get "bags and transportation" is not excessive.

It takes 2-3 hours to get through security at the airport, and 1-2 hours to get bags and transportation at the other end, plus an hour commute time to the hotel. I'd rather have a big plane with a lay flat bed, and show up the next morning.

Global warming is caused by man building huge coal powered data centers, Earth sends hurricanes to destroy data centers, life on planet is saved.

BBS wars, trolling in the 80's.

This was older research before the glut on panels lowered the price. I also included banks of batteries, which have lower life expectancy than the panels. Plus I factored in financing. One thing many people don't factor in is solar panels don't add to the value of your house significantly, and may detract if it ugly's up the house. A grid tied plan is more cost effective and I could easily replace my bill. The problem is the upfront capital costs. Even with tax breaks, and great rates for green improvements from my credit union, costs are hard to justify. All I'm saying is a faster return on investment will increase uptake of individual solar installations.

I'm obviously more concerned with my personal needs, but you are right, a solar power plant has different economies of scale to an individual deployment. The power company needs to make a capital investment in any type of power plant they create. I don't believe power companies are evil, so if the plants make sense financially they would be built. There has to be a projected demand for the energy, current plants have to be near retirement or cost too much to operate. Solar works, but you have to have a way to store the energy for nighttime hours or have non-renewable plants that run at night. And the individual has to feel the value, or they won't make the capital investment. This will come from either lowering the price of solar or increasing the price of fossil.

I've looked at putting solar panels on my house, and it will cost $30K after tax breaks and credits. The life span of a solar panel is 15-20 years with a denigration of efficiency of about 25% over that period. Then they will have to be replaced again. The payback period is roughly 10-12 years, so I'd come out ahead, but I have to make a significant capital purchase and live in the house for over a decade. What happens if I get a new job that requires me to move next year? The $30K investment in the house doesn't raise it's value that amount. For this to work, the payback period will have to drop to 5-6 years, and solar panels will have to be considered a viable option. Geo-thermal heat pumps, vertical wind turbines, efficient appliances, zone cooling and heating, tankless water heaters and (to channel Jimmy Carter) sweaters have more reasonable payback.

I've had the opposite experience. Gadgets have allowed me to have more contact with friends and family. I'm able to work from home some days during the week, and take short breaks to help with homework, or fix a broken toy. I have conversations with friends all over the country and keep up with what they are doing. People I otherwise would have lost touch with. I travel a lot, so I get to take my library with me, so I read more. I can keep up with my favorite sports teams easier, and regardless of location. Sure, I'm interactive with work 24/7 and put in my hours, but I'm also interactive with my family and friends 24/7 and have more quality time with them. I'm old enough to remember the days you had to physically be present to work or to relax. Showing up to work on time, watching the clock to see when you can go home, getting in the car to drive in and solve problems at three in the morning. Having your team sit in the same block of cubes because you needed to be physically close, taking time off to meet with a teacher, or pay a bill, or do banking. Gadgets mean I see my family more, spend less time on useless chores, work more productively and have a better life. Stop whining.

I'd like to have a navigation system in my hands that can use the stars, sun and a clock to navigate. I know how to use the tools of traditional celestial navigation, but having it as a portable backup for GPS would be nice.

One billion to give 2500 teachers a $20K stipend. So it costs $400K per teacher to provide that $20K raise?!!!!

Google can start something like this, but they should reach out to individuals, Universities and other corporations that may be interested, form a foundation, and let it be free as in freedom. If it is something interesting and people want to use it, more people will contribute effort to growing and maintaining the environment. If Google finds it useful, then Google can contribute money or time to the foundation and leverage the efforts of everyone else involved. In the long run it is better for Google and for people using it.