[extropy-chat] Nuke 'em

[David Lubkin]

Eugen wrote:

>--> The planet needs not to be paved more than it is already, a fraction
>of area covered converted will already do.

During the peak of interest in maglev, I recall someone had the idea 
of running personal rapid transit over the existing asphalt network, 
since it already goes most everywhere and the rights-of-way have been 
settled. It would be powered (in part) by replacing the asphalt with 
solar collectors. There was also the thought that if the collectors 
were sturdy enough, existing vehicular traffic could co-exist on the 
network, making a gradual transition possible.

Of course there are lots of variations one might now consider. For 
example, powering the electrical portion of a hybrid vehicle from a 
solar-collecting road.

Why did the concept disappear? Is it that solar collectors got better 
but not enough better? The conversion cost was too high?

There was also the more recent notion of laying fiber optic lines in 
highway medians, which was forgotten when fiber optic business tanked.

Between now and MNT or another [insert miracle], like Mr. Fusion, 
what would be the best new use for the road infrastructure?


-- David.