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Comment Re:Terrible feature (Score 1) 177

You might change your mind two hours into a 20 hour power outage. The ability to temporarily borrow power from an EV to keep your lights, fridge, and furnace running would be a major selling feature for many people.

I don't k now about a "Major Selling point"... I mean, a $500 Generator that powers the house during an outage to keep the fam happy while I take the EV to the store to buy groceries is a better and cheaper use-case. Besides, consuming the battery of the EV to power the house leaves me with no fuel should I need to go somewhere, and yes, sure, I can go supercharge somewhere and bring that juice back home to power the house, but I have to unplug and leave the fam freezing while I go supercharge. It's a solution to a problem that affects a very small # of people, and it's just looking for a use case - this has been solved with generators and stationary batteries.
Besides, 200 miles of range is pitiful - the pack has got to be tiny - how long is it gonna power your house for in a real outage and how many people will drain it to near zero and be unable to travel to the nearest operational charger? The poor truck will just have to sit there until the power comes back, or until you finally figure out how to start your generator so you can have some lights and charge your "truck".

Comment Re:Overdue... (Score 1) 340

So, the commander in chief has immunity and can commit any crime he wishes. What keeps society in check? Rules and laws. It creates a subtle risk that if acts outside of those rules, the consequences will stop him/her, therefore, careful consideration is taken to work within those rules.
There are two things in play:
1. So many rules and laws, including the one being discussed about destroying "evidence", that any one of us breaks a law or rule without knowing it 100 times a day. That's dangerous because it allows the majority (those who make and enforce the rules) to do as they please to anyone - there is literally no freedom.
2. A leader who does not have to work with the same rules is dangerous because there is no check whatsoever. What has impeachment done? Or threat of another impeachment? He has no respect for the law, meanwhile people who try to get through their day without breaking a rule are punished.
I'd argue that you are not truly free until you are in prison - there are a much smaller set of consequences and WAY fewer laws to inadvertently be breaking. we Americans are going about it all the wrong way. If 20% of us citizens nonviolently break enough laws that get us incarcerated, we can cause the gears to grind to a halt. There are only so many prisons that can be built, to house us all, and the economy will tank when enough taxpaying citizens are no longer contributing to financially fuel the beast.

Comment Re: What difference does it make? (Score 3, Interesting) 340

> "which is destruction of evidence by US law "
assuming there was evidence to be destroyed to begin with - that phone could have been a complete blank phone. They don't know - it's fishing So the argument has to be they KNEW there was evidence that was destroyed. But how could they have known. Chicken and egg. This is a case of sour grapes.

Comment Re:Yes! Make cars expensive again! (Score 1) 504

You used the "T" word. And in this case, I approve - that is exactly the sort of thing tariffs were invented for - surgical tariffs like this make sense - with an expiration timer - if our industries don't have pressure to improve product and lower cost, they won't - as has been proven over and over again.

Comment Re:Different worlds (Score 3, Interesting) 504

While you are not wrong, I'd argue it is a little late to be fist waving at this point. We allowed this to happen with so many other "made in China" products. What's so different about cars? Why is that the trigger? Is it because the US feels it is the auto-industry capitol of the world - churning out crap and afraid of some competition? Ok, that was maybe a little harsh, but the problem started a long time ago, with China chipping away at our perceived cost of goods being artificially low. So, what exactly do we do, ban Chinese cars and force our citizens to drive crap-mobiles? This is looking more and more like Soviet Russia - everyone must drive a Skoda!

Comment Noisy and large and expensive (Score 3, Interesting) 110

Throughout this topic, I see a lot of posts from the anti AC side claiming that installing AC in Europe is impossible - of which one argument is that split unit compressors are too loud. Have you seen modern splits from companies like Midea - who is the core manufacturer for many white labeled brands? Both the inside air handler(be it wall mounted or conceiled) and outside units are SILENT. The concealed units are much smaller than a traditional "Central" air handler and can utilize smaller ducting as well. I think people are hung up on the old binary scroll compressor at full tilt cycling on and off with a huge fans blowing at max speed. These modern inverter units modulate the compressor, utilize electronic servo controlled TXV's and modulate both the inside and outside fans to suite the demand. Not only that, but they are affordable and consume considerable less power.
Let's also address the issue of European dwelling construction and comfort: They are designed to absorb heat and minimize drafts - which is terrible for old-school AC's that try to cool the air as quickly as possible - creating cold clamy moist air. I've been in one such home with a Big old oversized AC. It is just gross. Modern units, like the technology mentioned above, deal with this "Stagnant" air perfectly by removing moisture form the air(by modulating the compressor to a lower setting and lower fan speed over a longer duration). This enhances comfort much more than simply lowering temperature and is ideal for those people who keep the place sealed tight.
Someone posted a chart which claims China is the largest producer of greenhouse gasses. If that is true, then I have to say at least China is making amends in a way with the new affordable and efficient HVAC technology. So, Europeans, I love you, but don't mock progress, give it a try, figure out a way to make it work - the only limit to this is yourselves!

Comment The bigger picture (Score 1) 110

As if by design, Bitcoin investment - that is to say, investment in the infrastructure required to mine the bitcoin - laid the foundation and infrastructure needed to power the AI boom. It stimulated grid improvements and large scale "data centers" and whole industries sprung up as a result. many of those companies the sprung up to fulfill the power buildout needs for Bitcoin miners are now servicing the AI sector. I wonder what's next in the "big picture" (evil?)plan (if thee is one) .

Comment Hey, I know... (Score 1) 95

Let's start a company that gives away FREE cloud connected ALPR cameras to install on your private vehicle!! You get the benefit of an always on dashcam to protect you and your loved ones. Heck, we may even pay you a small to rent the space in your vehicle for our equipment! Think of it as FLOCK mobile! Our TOS states that you can never turn it off, if you do, we'll know, and call the police to throw you in the slammer! And we'll fine you! What do we do with the data? We can't tell you, but rest assured, it's all in YOPUR best interest! Act now, and get TWO FLOCK mobile cameras! one for you and one for your loved one, because nothing says I love and trust you more than always on surveillance!

Comment Re:Passing a stopped school bus (Score 1) 95

This is exactly how it works currently - which I support. But some greedy capitalistic company thinks it is a good idea to monetize these deployed cameras beyond their current use. Some people mentioned rising up and vandalizing these cameras -which I also support in concept, but it will destroy the good the cameras are doing in their initial purpose. Baby tiger cubs are cute and all until they get older and grow fangs and become dangerous... Let's not attach grown tigers to our school buses.. Think of the children, not of the $$

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