I like the vids, although the second one was a bit blurry on my computer. One quibble with the first one: water vapor IS a greenhouse gas, so burning H2 produces greenhouse gases also. People tend to focus on CO2, but water vapor also plays a substantial role in heating the atmosphere. Now, if the H2 were derived from seawater and if burning H2 for fuel would not change the overall percentage of water vapor in the atmosphere, then an H2-fueled economy would reduce our overall GHG emission profile and would thus be beneficial. There is another danger with a H2-fueled economy in that H2 is extremely reactive; great care would have to be taken to minimize the danger of explosion. We would also need to retool our infrastructure to handle H2, which will cost a lot of money. Personally, I think a combination of biofuels (not from corn, though–that’s a Republican scam–switchgrass is better), nuclear, solar, and (where applicable) wave, geothermal, and wind power would be more practical.
Also one small request: I’ve noticed that I have to click ‘Change’ on the header to enter the anti-spam word or otherwise I’ll be blocked as spam. Is there any way you can change that such that one doesn’t have to click ‘change’ to put in the anti-spam?
Very cool, Gia! It’s nice to see you and Brian are keeping busy. BTW your accent is becoming more patchwork as time goes on. I hear UK, US, and maybe a touch of Scottish, too. :-)
I’m swamped; I shouldn’t even be reading blogs. My book is due in six weeks and I have three full chapters to write! I’ve been too busy to even do the review of Sunshine I wanted to; I have three pages of notes sitting on my desk, too. When does it come out in DVD in the US? Maybe I can get it written up for that.
I read the comments before watching the vids and thought “What is Phil going on about? How could Gia possibly sound Scottish?” Well, blow me down if he’s not right! Your opening lines of dialogue really did have a lovely celtic twinge to them. Is one of your five-jobs-a-week jobs working for Virgin’s call centres north of the border by any chance? If so then I’m ringing up to report more problems as of right now.
You have to love a woman who says, “I am really nerdy about it!” and “I’m a bit kind of geekier” That is why I read your blog….
I noticed the accent too, never would have pegged you for a fellow yank.
Is it wrong to email click[at]bbc.co.uk just to compliment on the well-spoken expert? Alright, maybe I’ll throw in a positive bit about QR Codes, too. :)
That’s not all Brian is doing. I just heard him live on Minnesota Public Radio’s Mid-Morning Show with Keri Miller talking about the Large Hadron Collector. He was way cool. I’m anxious to hear about what they find after they “throw the switch” next summer. Disappointed a bit that he didn’t talk about his Minnesota connection, but I figured you gave him strict orders not to mention it. The two of you continue to do marvelous things! Keep it up!
I like the vids, although the second one was a bit blurry on my computer. One quibble with the first one: water vapor IS a greenhouse gas, so burning H2 produces greenhouse gases also. People tend to focus on CO2, but water vapor also plays a substantial role in heating the atmosphere. Now, if the H2 were derived from seawater and if burning H2 for fuel would not change the overall percentage of water vapor in the atmosphere, then an H2-fueled economy would reduce our overall GHG emission profile and would thus be beneficial. There is another danger with a H2-fueled economy in that H2 is extremely reactive; great care would have to be taken to minimize the danger of explosion. We would also need to retool our infrastructure to handle H2, which will cost a lot of money. Personally, I think a combination of biofuels (not from corn, though–that’s a Republican scam–switchgrass is better), nuclear, solar, and (where applicable) wave, geothermal, and wind power would be more practical.
Also one small request: I’ve noticed that I have to click ‘Change’ on the header to enter the anti-spam word or otherwise I’ll be blocked as spam. Is there any way you can change that such that one doesn’t have to click ‘change’ to put in the anti-spam?
Very cool, Gia! It’s nice to see you and Brian are keeping busy. BTW your accent is becoming more patchwork as time goes on. I hear UK, US, and maybe a touch of Scottish, too. :-)
I’m swamped; I shouldn’t even be reading blogs. My book is due in six weeks and I have three full chapters to write! I’ve been too busy to even do the review of Sunshine I wanted to; I have three pages of notes sitting on my desk, too. When does it come out in DVD in the US? Maybe I can get it written up for that.
Phil, I’m not sure when it’s coming out in the US – though I would assume ‘around Christmastime’…
Penny, I’ll look into the anti-spam thing. I actually can’t remember which one I’m using! (doh!)
Just testing my new anti-spam thingy.
It works! :)
Is somebody a “QR Code Expert” now? Hmmmm ;)
Great videos, Gia. I’m very proud of you!
I read the comments before watching the vids and thought “What is Phil going on about? How could Gia possibly sound Scottish?” Well, blow me down if he’s not right! Your opening lines of dialogue really did have a lovely celtic twinge to them. Is one of your five-jobs-a-week jobs working for Virgin’s call centres north of the border by any chance? If so then I’m ringing up to report more problems as of right now.
Ach! Me soond Scottish? I cannae see how ya can say tha, ya bawbag!
You have to love a woman who says, “I am really nerdy about it!” and “I’m a bit kind of geekier” That is why I read your blog….
I noticed the accent too, never would have pegged you for a fellow yank.
Is it wrong to email click[at]bbc.co.uk just to compliment on the well-spoken expert? Alright, maybe I’ll throw in a positive bit about QR Codes, too. :)
That’s not all Brian is doing. I just heard him live on Minnesota Public Radio’s Mid-Morning Show with Keri Miller talking about the Large Hadron Collector. He was way cool. I’m anxious to hear about what they find after they “throw the switch” next summer. Disappointed a bit that he didn’t talk about his Minnesota connection, but I figured you gave him strict orders not to mention it. The two of you continue to do marvelous things! Keep it up!
Ahhh – that’s just talking about stuff – that’s not busy! lol