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Daves_not_h3r3_man t1_iv7agfe wrote

Reply to comment by einarfridgeirs in Researchers designed a transparent window coating that could lower the temperature inside buildings, without expending a single watt of energy. This cooler may lead to an annual energy saving of up to 86.3 MJ/m² or 24 kWh/m² in hot climates by mossadnik

No, I'm almost 50. I've been around enough to understand a very simple phrase.

Unintended consequences.

It's really not that complicated

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Daves_not_h3r3_man t1_iv7bc3f wrote

And more specifically, people seem to want a quick fix. We are talking about very complicated topics ones that affect far more than just humanity which, unfortunately most people seem unwilling to tackle.

To reiterate, there's more to life than people. Until we can have a more holistic view of what life actually is, all of these things are temporary Band-Aids.

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15pH t1_iv7mp9c wrote

We must always consider new tech risks in the context of the benefits. How useful is this new technology vs how likely and severe are the risks? It is wise to be concerned about potential risks, but we cannot ignore the known benefits.

Also, we should not fear unintended consequences based on a decades-old perspective. Over the last 40 years especially, the world has shifted from mostly ignoring the environment to having national and international regulations and watchdogs to address unintended consequences and new pollutants.

Of course, the regulations and watchdogs are still mostly weak and we still must be watchful, but it is time to evolve our default assumption from "no one has considered the unintended consequences" to "experts are testing and considering the materials and processes used."

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unassumingdink t1_iv8609o wrote

> ver the last 40 years especially, the world has shifted from mostly ignoring the environment to having national and international regulations and watchdogs

Who are all some version of powerless, intentionally underfunded, or only able to levy fines representing a fraction of the money made from reckless activity.

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