The next common enemy... - Page 9 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #**121** 03-20-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

We have perhaps the highest degree of labor saving devices of any society ever known on the planet. And yet I see little interest on your part to inconvenience yourself in any way, even if it means living more intelligently.

That depends on how a person defines "intelligent", doesn't it?

mikemover · #**122** 03-20-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

We have perhaps the highest degree of labor saving devices of any society ever known on the planet. And yet I see little interest on your part to inconvenience yourself in any way, even if it means living more intelligently.

Almost exactly what I was going to say.

Mike

mikemover · #**123** 03-20-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

That depends on how a person defines "intelligent", doesn't it?

Well, let's see....

Diesel:

Engine itself lasts longer.
Better fuel economy.
Less damage to the ozone layer.
Easier maintenance.
Lower maintenance costs.
More fuel options.
Less dependency on foreign sources of fuel.
Etc., etc.....

Hmm.................................

Sounds more "intelligent" to me.

I think perhaps it's worth buying a longer extension cord!

Mike

Lebenz · #**124** 03-20-2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Sounds good to me. How would they go where I want and when I want? What If I changed my mind halfway and needed to make a stop for a gallon of milk? So there is no drawback and all positives? Really? You sound like an advocate. All plusses and no negatives. Or a used car salesman, take your pick.

This is an idea I'm thinking about advancing, or at least trying to. I present as an advocate but seek feedback.

Given a short wait for a transport, if someone forgets something they can always arrange another ride. There is also the possibility of courier service being a portion of the overall service offerings, due to the wealth of availability built into the system. Lets see, at the outset we replace taxis, couriers, the majority of private vehicles, all while making it possible for a person or a family to ride anywhere in the county and ultimately within say 200-300 miles pretty much at their convenience. If it costs too much for some, they can continue to take a bus. And all would achieve notable savings along the way. The realistic and obtainable goals are nothing shy of a revolution.

There would be no scheduler in the typical sense. Rather a system that monitors all the vehicles and their transport loads and times would take the place. A lot of vehicles are going to be proximate to you at any time. The first available or closest matching your stated transport needs would be the one to arrive.

Lebenz · #**125** 03-20-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

We have perhaps the highest degree of labor saving devices of any society ever known on the planet. And yet I see little interest on your part to inconvenience yourself in any way, even if it means living more intelligently.

Edit: This is typical of human nature. Make it easy and folk will never want for anything but making it easier.

aklim · #**126** 03-20-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemover

Well, let's see....

Diesel:

Engine itself lasts longer.
Better fuel economy.
Less damage to the ozone layer.
Easier maintenance.
Lower maintenance costs.
More fuel options.
Less dependency on foreign sources of fuel.
Etc., etc.....

But costs more
20% but costs are rising to above premium gas and isn't as advailable
Couldn't care less
Different maintenance items
Not sure about that. Ask me about stuck GP in head.
Couldn't care less
Not too concerned about it.

And to add something else on:

Fuel pump and surrounding floor is often messy and I have to wear gloves
Have to find a spot, IF POSSIBLE, to stick the plug in when cold
More finicky when it is cold. Forget to heat it and well.....
My 99 E300 with a chip is not even as spritely as my 99 C280. All this when you consider that it is 200cc more and turbocharged.

Not saying diesels are bad or good. Just that they both have some strong points and some weak points. For a car, I would, knowing what I know now be buying gas. For a hauling vehicle, diesel. Now if the diesel prices are what they were a couple years ago when they were cheaper than regular gas and you have some alternative fuel that does the same thing as regular diesel with similar properties but cheaper, well, now you have my attention. Otherwise, it is like E85. Costs the same, sucks in power and mileage. No thanx. I'll stick with the known devil.

Botnst · #**127** 03-20-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lebenz

But what is “the market” really? Can you name an instance where someone didn’t have a good idea and frequently not so good of an idea, and sold it to the public? All “the market” is or ever was or ever will be is presentation done by someone to fulfill a perceived need or create the perception of value that is often called savings.

Some examples:

The Shane company is your friend in the diamond business.
Costco: More for less.
Chevron: Clean your engine with every fill up.
Starbucks: Want a cup of coffee with 14 additional ingredients? And a scone?
The Men’s Warehouse: Quality clothing for less. I guarantee it.

These are examples of “the market.” The list is endless.

The key shortcoming at this point is the lack of infrastructure. We don’t have the tools in place for GPS routing of the type I describe, we don’t have the means of providing wireless internet from all over the city or county. We don’t have quite enough computers to provide all potential customers with web access. But we are getting there in a hurry.

Will the country drown due to our selfish demands? Will we give a little more to serve our needs? History demonstrates that life in common is all about sacrificing perceptions of need in trade for security. Folks don't even realize it because it is normal for our perceptions. Right next to food, clothing, and housing, transportation is our leading element of personal security. What more market force is needed?

This is clearly a HUGE opportunity just waiting for the pieces to come together.

I agree that there is a huge potential for somebody to make a profit off the differential between costs of personal ownership and the cost of a taxi service. In other words, both a taxi service and individual ownership maximize freedom of travel. However, taxi service costs an awful lot. But if your dream system can occupy an expense zone less than taxi service and more than than ownership's expense but have greater convenience than traditional bus service it would be a winner. I don't know whether the difference in cost is great enough but I'll bet that's the zone to shoot for.

Anyway, I think your idea is intriguing. I think you have accurately identified the potential of various technologies to ameliorate the convenience difference between mass transit and private ownership. I hope you continue to explore this idea as I think it has potential.

cmac2012 · #**128** 03-21-2006, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

That depends on how a person defines "intelligent", doesn't it?

Well how about for starters; an intelligent culture might be one that doesn't rush to destroy its life support system and then dream about somehow growing crops on Mars so we can have an escape chute.

Of course, technocrats and dittoheads sneer at the idea that any ecological damage is taking place or if so, consider it not worth worrying about.

Consider:

Every desert in the world is getting bigger;
Every major acquifer is shrinking;
Topsoils are being lost worldwide;
Many fisheries are ailing or in collapse.

But hey, no probs Jackson, we got our gadgets!

I've been reading lately about the Atantic Menhaden, a herring like fish that is a feedstock for many sought after fish -- cod, bluefish, swordfish.

It used to be incredibly thick along the coast but has now diminished considerably. It's still being harvested in Chesapeake Bay for oil and fertilizer.

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2006/03/net_losses.html

http://www.menhaden.org/news_pr_102504.htm

So what does this have to do with anything? Not much, just that we are, for the most part, oblivious to the gradual ruining of that which sustains us.

crash9 · #**129** 03-21-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Every desert in the world is getting bigger;
Every major acquifer is shrinking;
Topsoils are being lost worldwide;
Many fisheries are ailing or in collapse.

... we are, for the most part, oblivious to the gradual ruining of that which sustains us.

Gradual may be yesterdays hope. Words like “tipping point” and logarithmically are popping up a lot. Some ideas that the bottom of the food chain in the southern ocean have died already and that the polar regions are melting ever faster. My understanding is that an “Ice Age” develops very quickly - 4/5 years after some tipping point is reached- and maybe the inverse is the same.
I just had the first heavy snow, or any real moisture for that matter, the day before the first day of spring.

mikemover · #**130** 03-21-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

But costs more
20% but costs are rising to above premium gas and isn't as advailable
Couldn't care less
Different maintenance items
Not sure about that. Ask me about stuck GP in head.
Couldn't care less
Not too concerned about it.

And to add something else on:

Fuel pump and surrounding floor is often messy and I have to wear gloves
Have to find a spot, IF POSSIBLE, to stick the plug in when cold
More finicky when it is cold. Forget to heat it and well.....
My 99 E300 with a chip is not even as spritely as my 99 C280. All this when you consider that it is 200cc more and turbocharged.

Not saying diesels are bad or good. Just that they both have some strong points and some weak points. For a car, I would, knowing what I know now be buying gas. For a hauling vehicle, diesel. Now if the diesel prices are what they were a couple years ago when they were cheaper than regular gas and you have some alternative fuel that does the same thing as regular diesel with similar properties but cheaper, well, now you have my attention. Otherwise, it is like E85. Costs the same, sucks in power and mileage. No thanx. I'll stick with the known devil.

The "couldn't care less" part of your reply is exactly what we're talking about.

Mike

aklim · #**131** 03-21-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemover

The "couldn't care less" part of your reply is exactly what we're talking about.

Mike

Make it worth my while and we can talk. You are a musician. If I were selling a set of instruments you don't like nor do you want, would you buy? I don't care about the ozone layer nor do I care about the alternative fuels. SHOW ME THE MONEY. Show me the savings to my wallet by using alternative fuels and I'll switch. If they had a station selling biodiesel cheaper than regular diesel and it works exactly the same, I'll buy biodiesel. If you want me to gather oil and process it and what not, no thanx. I don't have the time or the facilities. As to the ozone layer, I'll be dead before it happens, assuming it isn't caused by some weather phenominon that we don't understand.

mikemover · #**132** 03-21-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Make it worth my while and we can talk. You are a musician. If I were selling a set of instruments you don't like nor do you want, would you buy? I don't care about the ozone layer nor do I care about the alternative fuels. SHOW ME THE MONEY. Show me the savings to my wallet by using alternative fuels and I'll switch. If they had a station selling biodiesel cheaper than regular diesel and it works exactly the same, I'll buy biodiesel. If you want me to gather oil and process it and what not, no thanx. I don't have the time or the facilities. As to the ozone layer, I'll be dead before it happens, assuming it isn't caused by some weather phenominon that we don't understand.

I had no idea you were quite this simple, selfish and short-sighted.

Believe me, I'm no tree-hugging enviro-nazi....far from it. But your "I don't give a damn about the ozone layer, I'll be dead before it happens anyway" attitude is quite revealing.

Regardless, when you're paying $10 a gallon for gasoline in a few years, I'll be driving around collecting FREE fryer oil from my friend's restaurants, McDonald's, and chinese take-outs for my diesels.

Mike

aklim · #**133** 03-21-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemover

I had no idea you were quite this simple, selfish and short-sighted.

Believe me, I'm no tree-hugging enviro-nazi....far from it. But your "I don't give a damn about the ozone layer, I'll be dead before it happens anyway" attitude is quite revealing.

Regardless, when you're paying $10 a gallon for gasoline in a few years, I'll be driving around collecting FREE fryer oil from my friend's restaurants, McDonald's, and chinese take-outs for my diesels.

Mike

I wasn't originally. I was taught all those high falutin values but I watched the human race and realized it doesn't work except with a select few. I changed. The difference is you have hope, I have given up on people.

If it becomes a problem, we will either develope the technology to fix it or die or adapt. Once again, it isn't my issue. I can't fix it so I am not going to try.

Question about that. Near Madison, they are, as we speak, building a factory to recycle used fryer oil into biodiesel. Maybe if you friend can keep giving you the oil, you might get away with it. Think it will be as advailable as it is now? Think the state with it's diesel fleet won't eat it all up?

Lebenz · #**134** 03-21-2006, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Regardless, when you're paying $10 a gallon for gasoline in a few years, I'll be driving around collecting FREE fryer oil from my friend's restaurants, McDonald's, and chinese take-outs for my diesels.

Mike

A nice fantasy but cheap fuel oil will soon be more aggressively scavenged than pop bottles and quarters laying on the sidewalk

mikemover · #**135** 03-21-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I wasn't originally. I was taught all those high falutin values but I watched the human race and realized it doesn't work except with a select few. I changed. The difference is you have hope, I have given up on people.

If it becomes a problem, we will either develope the technology to fix it or die or adapt. Once again, it isn't my issue. I can't fix it so I am not going to try.

Ever hear the wise old saying that goes, "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem"?......

Mike