Querch
Querch t1_j0kys7u wrote
Something you forgot to mention is how AI could make one or more tailored companions for people. Why even have friends who are real people when AI companions can be "much better"?
On the other hand, I think deep down, people will understand that it's a sad and lonely way to live. Some people will believe that lie that they're living a life that's real but others just can't. There will be people who'll reject the whole arrangement; some will reject it harder than others. The only question is how many and where will they go.
The thing is that vapid hedonism gets tiring. That threshold is lower for some than in others. Admittedly, there will be some who stay trapped. But those who refuse that will go out and seek something real and meaningful, wherever that might take them. One example I can think of is for one such person to get in touch with like-minded individuals and plan for starting a subsistence farming commune of sorts, where they will make what they need themselves. Case in point: there are the Amish in the USA. They never went away.
That said, I'm sure if the environment changes into what OP describes, I think we'll see quite a few Luddite communities spring up in response. Though that is a big if i deed. I really don't know how this AI thing will play out.
Querch t1_iz9tgd3 wrote
Reply to comment by Salt-Artichoke5347 in Jabal: the new wheat scientists say can withstand extreme heat and drought by tonymmorley
Desal water remains expensive, though. It's ultimately better to not have to desalinate seawater to farm crops. If fresh water is that scarce, why not use treated wastewater?
Querch t1_iye7d91 wrote
Reply to Solar power prices expected to decline 50% by 2050: Ajay Mathur - A decline in solar power prices will help in production of green hydrogen at reduced costs, said the director general of International Solar Alliance. by yourSAS
Here's an image of the LCOEs for solar in different global markets, for reference.
We could be looking at LCOEs as low as $15/MWh, unsubsidized, in the best places.
Querch t1_ivft8t3 wrote
Reply to comment by vVWARLOCKVv in Dutch pilot project for hydrogen heated homes allowed to begin by alex20_202020
>Is it cheaper than natural gas
Last I checked, the cost to produce green hydrogen is somewhere north of EUR 6.00/kg, translating to a cost of EUR 152.26/MWh (HHV when assuming a condensing boiler). The spot price of methane, at the time of posting, EUR 109.683/MWh LHV. The HHV number would be a tad lower.
So yeah, hydrogen for heating isn't looking to be a competitive option to natural gas. IMO, it'd be better to look towards district heating using waste heat, district heating using geothermal energy, water-sourced heat pumps and air-sourced heat pumps first. Green hydrogen can take a niche supporting role in the form of hydrogen-fired peaking power plants.
Querch t1_ir68njl wrote
How's the backlash?
Querch OP t1_j2ybxrs wrote
Reply to comment by CharacterOtherwise77 in Renewable energy generation between July and September (2022) was up 55.3% on the same period in 2021, The Scottish Government has revealed. by Querch
From the article:
>>“Renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms, hydropower and tidal energy are contributing more and more to Scotland’s economy as well cutting energy costs for consumers and helping meet our net-zero target. As we develop more projects, on and offshore, those contributions will only increase.”