|
Uhh...
Apr 27, 2002 4:42:46 GMT -5
Post by StolenThunder on Apr 27, 2002 4:42:46 GMT -5
Incidentally, it's sixteen years from the Chernobyl bang today, and it's far from being history. You can dispute about the safety standars of the place compared to those of the modern ones how much you like, but the truth is this ball of rock cannot bear many disasters like Chernobyl, and even with the most modern of nuclear plants, the possibility of something unexpected happening exists. Especially at this day and age. The Chernobyl incident, however, is one of those things that people do not understand about nuclear power. There was no fault with the reactor. At all. The incident was caused by improperly supervised, and unauthorised experiments on the water cooling system. There was no actual problem with the reactor, until some fools made one. As for Three Mile Island, this was again caused by human error. An error in maintaining a section, and a defective valve led to a loss of coolant incident. Then, the safety systems kicked in - shutting down the reactor and began to cool the system. However, then, human error was to blame. As someone shut down the cooling system, and then some [but very few] radioactive gases were released from the reactor vessel. Both incidents were caused by people that clearly weren't suitable for their jobs, and the media and people took it as the chance to proclaim nuclear power the fuel of the antichrist. In addition, nuclear waste is tiny compared to that of conventional fossil fuels. There is also research underway at the moment, which deals with making waste safe in just a few years. On a side note, over 90% of all radiation in this world is naturally produced. But you'd better not tell the masses that. They'd go crazy with fear... There are no other ways. Renewable energy is all well and good, but so very limited in its potential use. It simply cannot provide for a country. Yes, use them to a greater degree, but they just cannot be relied upon.
|
|
|
Uhh...
Apr 27, 2002 5:33:17 GMT -5
Post by Gnom on Apr 27, 2002 5:33:17 GMT -5
The Chernobyl incident, however, is one of those things that people do not understand about nuclear power. There was no fault with the reactor. At all. The incident was caused by improperly supervised, and unauthorised experiments on the water cooling system. There was no actual problem with the reactor, until some fools made one. As for Three Mile Island, this was again caused by human error. To quote my own earlier post: I wouldn't call it safest, not while the human factor is there. Whatever the cause for the incidents mentioned, there isn't room for many more incidents like them. IMO, nuclear power is just too dangerous toy for the erratic human race to handle at it's current point of evolution. I believe that's what I said too... I'm living in a hope that The One And The Only means for producing energy hasn't been invented yet. In the meantime, nuclear power based on fission reaction shouldn't be used recklessly, only as a last resort when there's no viable alternative --for now.
|
|
|
Uhh...
Apr 27, 2002 5:54:32 GMT -5
Post by StolenThunder on Apr 27, 2002 5:54:32 GMT -5
I wouldn't call it safest, not while the human factor is thereYes, but remember that the plant in Chernobyl was old, and the workers poorly trained. In modern reactors, much is automated anyhow, and well regulated. But this assumes that there will be accidents. With proper care, then there will be none. Certainly it shouldn't be used recklessly, but it has to be used. Otherwise, there's going to be a whole lot of problems in 70 years. Anyhow, we've somewhat strayed from Israel.
|
|
|
Uhh...
Apr 28, 2002 9:55:32 GMT -5
Post by Ana Ng on Apr 28, 2002 9:55:32 GMT -5
The sad truth is, Americans have absolutely no interest in losing their dependance on oil. Most Americans are too interested in buying obnoxiously large, fuel-burning SUVs... which is another rant in and of itself.. I don't know what's up with this sudden need for enormous vehicles... Makes me wonder if the average American male's thingy size has been shrinking lately...
|
|
|
Uhh...
Apr 28, 2002 15:07:49 GMT -5
Post by Elric3960 on Apr 28, 2002 15:07:49 GMT -5
What facinating words in emphasis! The way it gets reported over here, the US loves to be the new British Empire, telling everyone how to live, eat and what TV to watch...................... It just goes to show how skilled the Media is on both sides of the Atlantic, my dear. The Pentagon, the hay-making politicians in Washington and Corporate America could put centuries of power-mad kings and emperors to shame! If your BBC News covered the protests by the American people every time soldiers get sent "over there" and televised "anti-war sermons from the pulpits" they'd get a more accurate picture of how Joe and Mary American and the Beeb's journalistic cousins, the editorial pundits, feel about being "The New British Empire" as you put it!
|
|
|
Uhh...
Apr 28, 2002 15:23:01 GMT -5
Post by Elric3960 on Apr 28, 2002 15:23:01 GMT -5
Forgive me, I was thinking the incident that was immediately threatening my blueberries with Cesium 137, but there you go... Didn't people's interest in disaster movies increase after last September, too? Yes and no. They initially held back on releasing the Schwartzenegger film "Collateral Damage" because of the bombing. They edited several films that were done on location and redigitized whole scenes where The World Trade Center was in the shot! Either they didn't want to "date" the film by having them in there or they thought that it would have opened old wounds. Whatever the reason, I thought it was wrong.Agreed. Decisions made by people in power don't always reflect the feelings of the general population. I'm glad that you can appreciate that at least!
|
|