While video recording and taking photos (time lapse) of our Electric Vehicle Tech session, I couldn’t help thinking about Detroit.
You see, these students have sat through 10 weeks of theory. Now they have a go at “degutting” the Internal Combustion Engine, to essentially make a “glider” (shell) for Electric components. The intended end-product is an All-Electric Vehicle, with zero emission (Bye Bye Sandy).
It’s not far-fetched or idealistic. Just realistic and achievable, right in front of my eyes.
When there is a will, there is a way.
More than a century of Detroit, of Fordism, and oil addiction.
Now at least someone somewhere is trying to jerk the chain, or even cutting it. UnDetroiting.
Of course we need to take the economics of this into consideration.
Is it pie in the sky? Does it have a good chance of getting broad-base support?
While the I-pod is reduced to the size of a match box, we still can’t drive a carbon-fiber EV which costs less and leaves less carbon footprint.
Of course, we need recharging infrastructure. Of course, battery companies better not file bankruptcy etc..
I just saw something in the making.
I can’t figure it out.
What it is, ain’t exactly clear.
But with $5.00 per gallon on the West Coast, and Sandy on the East Coast, I think the idea of Electric Vehicle needs a relook.
As long as we get from point A to point B, why does it matter that the “mouse is black or white?”.
Technology changes all the time and is supposed to serve not enslave people.
But we have worshipped at the altar of the neon god we made (Sound of Silence).
No wonder we are subjected to OPEC and MidEast fluctuation even when only 1/3rd of our supplies are from there. I am glad other energy sources and new-found ways are taking a larger shares of energy wealth. It’s in the head, in the heart and out there in space.
Whatever we need to survive (including being nice to one another) is available. Just a matter of coordinating and negotiating.
For a moment, the sky was the limit. If we hadn’t sent them home at the end of the day, many students would have stayed to finish “un-Detroting” the car. It is to show, when people are convinced and are together, they can achieve great things.
Thang Nguyen 555 