[ExI] EP and Peak oil

[Kevin Freels]

Richard Loosemore wrote:
> Eliezer S. Yudkowsky wrote:
>   
>> Lee, the world is 40 years behind where it should be on nuclear power 
>> as a direct result of anti-rationalist environmentalist meddling in 
>> government.
>>     
>
> The fact that you would be so factually ignorant and irrational as to 
> talk about "anti-rationalist environmentalist meddling" is a bad sign 
> indeed.
>
> Someone who is irrational is a problem.
>
> Someone who is irrational and claims "rationalism" as the justification 
> for their dogmatic beliefs is sinister.
>
> What is even more ridiculous, for me, is that your conclusions about 
> nuclear power are not, by themselves, inaccurate.  But linking that 
> analysis to a statement about "anti-rationalist environmentalist 
> meddling" betrays an inability to understand the system as a whole.
>
> For example, one side effect of the nuclear resurgence now taking place 
> is that the proliferation problem is quietly diversifying into new and 
> terrifying directions:
>
> http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn13459-disposable-nuclear-reactors-raise-security-fears.html
>
> It is news such as this that makes it seem that those "anti-rationalist 
> environmentalists" may have been correct in saying that nuclear power is 
> managed so irresponsibly that, in practice, it has world-threatening 
> side effects.
>
> The issue, then, is whether nuclear power and renewable sources can be 
> developed in such a tightly controlled and secure manner that the 
> considerable dangers of nuclear power can be kept under control.
>
>
>   
It appears this has already been addressed. Here's a great article on 
Pebble Bed Modular Reactors which eliminate many of the concerns you have.
http://www.physorg.com/news8956.html

The only thing I can't seem to find info on is the energy cost and 
processes used to make the pebbles in the first place.
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