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ahxes t1_j09fiet wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in [OC] Cost of Carbon Zero - Historical Look At U.S. Funding of Fusion Energy by Metalytiq

You might have used perpetual motion to avoid the interjection but its not a fair comparison. The math says perpetual motion will always remain energy neutral. On the flip side, the math says fusion yields an energy positive.

Im just pointing out the difference between spending money on something we know can’t work vs something that we know can work given enough time and resources.

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SecurelyObscure t1_j09gtnq wrote

I wasn't comparing the feasibility of fusion vs perpetual motion. I was using the wasted time and effort put into researching something to demonstrate why it's not a reasonable to compare r&d costs to the amount of money spent on obtaining a known energy source.

Billions are spent on all sorts of energy research. Solar, hydro, chemical, biological. The overwhelming majority will go nowhere. Some end up being outright scams, like perpetual motion devices. Picking one that might eventually work and saying "God we're dumb for not doing this instead of using oil" is like saying people are dumb for having bought stocks other than Amazon in the 90s.

Or are you going to tell me how actually stocks are a financial entity so it's not a fair comparison to energy.

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ahxes t1_j0a7br8 wrote

I actually think thats a pretty apt comparison.

Given the hindsight, I think every person who bought stocks in the 90’s wishes they bought Amazon instead.

Just like the people on this post wish that more resources went into fusion research.

Hindsight is important. We need to be able to admit that things need to change and wish that we found the right path first. We also need to acknowledge the path in the first place. We needed fossil fuels to get where we are, but if more money went into green energy research earlier we would be years ahead of where we are now and maybe a lot of the problems we are facing today wouldn’t be as big to overcome.

IMO: R&D is not a waste of time or money when the pay out is a solution to the energy crisis.

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