Nuclear Power Is Not An Option For Energy Independence

In recent years former opponents of nuclear power in U.S. have changed their minds in the face of concerns over global warming caused by burning fossil fuels. Some thought that this would revive the nuclear power industry in America. But, the United States’ ability to produce the nuclear fuel is in question. USEC, the company in America that enriches uranium, is in serious financial trouble. This is the focus in this New York Times article. Something even more startling pointed out by the article is that the U.S. imports 90 percent of its uranium. Nuclear power now appears to not be an answer to the United States’ long term energy plan.

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nuclear+power, uranium, global+warming

The System Dynamics of the US Government

Have you ever heard someone say something to the extent of, "The founding fathers would be rolling in their graves if they knew what going on today?" That kind of thinking really doesn’t make sense. The US government is no different today than it was at its founding. It is a system. The system permitted the creation of laws, constitutional amendments, or procedures that are different today from those created 231 years ago. So, if someone thinks that the government is broken they are wrong. It’s always been this way. The system of governing is still the same. Perhaps if the leadership of the United States is not performing as it should then a new system of government needs to be created. It would be foolish to believe that the perfect form of government has already been created. As times, communications technology, and belief systems change it is possible that a major change in governmental systems is needed to deal with the complexity of the modern world. I don’t know what this new system is yet and I’m not advocating revolution. I’m just suggestion that we leave our minds open to a new way.

The inspiration for these thoughts comes from a paper I recently read on system dynamics titled, Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System by Donella Meadows. It describes the least powerful and most powerful ways to create change in a system. I highly recommend reading it. If you’re short on time you can get the Wikipedia version.

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system+dynamics, founding+fathers, us+government, donella+meadows

More Evidence That US Patent Laws Need To Change

Just a quick update on what some other people are saying about how US patent laws are strangling innovation. Check out this interview with Alan Cox. Take a look at his response to question 12 concerning Microsoft and intellectual property:

12) Do you share some people's fear of Microsoft's threats (concerning patents and intellectual property)?

"I don't think they are the biggest danger. As Microsoft has been finding out recently it is the patent trolls, and organisations with buried patents in interesting areas that are the biggest threat in the USA. The real answer to that problem however is to pull the USA back into line with the majority of the world which simply does not recognize patents on software but respects them as literary works subject to copyright law. Also therefore we have to make sure the continuing US attempts to spread bogus patent law into the EU are defeated."

It appears as though I’m not the only one that sees this is a problem.

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Microsoft, intellectual+property, patent