Martin Eisenberg wrote:

>>For the same amount of waste, you had an extra terajoule of
>>energy -- perhaps sufficient to do something sensible about
>>those ashes -- yes, perhaps even launch them in a capsule
>>that goes to outer space (I mean, why not? You had an
>>extra terajoule of energy! Spend half a terajoule in
>>sending those ashes straight to the Sun, and you still
>>had half a terajoule more energy than you would have)
>
>
> Aha. Have you ever thought to figure the impact of such use of
> reserves of iron, silicon, etc.? Mind you that ore mining and
> processing is one of the more intrusive things we do. You might also
> be interested to consider that your "illustrative" numbers are
> annoying the heck out of me personally.

Well... get over it!!

> Your opponents in this kind
> of argument will take you more seriously if you can found your
> estimations, or else keep them to yourself.

Why? It's not like what I'm saying here is really changing
the fate of Mankind... I'm just explaining a point of view
that I got from discussions with experts on the area...

Back in College, a couple of friends of mine were doing a
Master in Energy Engineering (don't remember if that was
the exact title -- hope that doesn't annoy you ;-)), and
one day, with my brother, who is an *Environmental* Engineer,
we asked them about efficient and environmental-friendly
energy -- believe me, we were as shocked as you (and Jerry
and Erik and others) seem to be when they told us that
Nuclear energy, hands down, was the best form of energy,
without any other competitor that comes remotely close.
After a few minutes discussing, we ran out of arguments,
and were convinced by their argument ever after... (mind
you, that was approximately 8 years ago, so I'm not sure
if things have changed -- doesn't seem like it, but I keep
an open mind that perhaps their argument is now outdated?).

All I'm doing is trying -- the best I can -- to explain
what I once was explained. I'm sorry that that offends
you (actually, no, I'm not really sorry, now that I think
about it :-)).

Carlos
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