Yes, in the long run, society will benefit from the cheap energy itself, either way. Patents aren't like copywrites, patents run out in 20 years. In my case, it would be more like 15 years because it will take five years to bring my ideas fully to market. That gives just enough time to help the World through the hard times and economic chaos that will come upon us for the next couple of decades, if things are done smoothly. My concern is that I forsee a very tumultous time as society adapts, not only to cheap energy, but also to the coming extreme Artificial Intelligence and increased automation. We must find ways to give everyone equity in the production of goods and services and the energy they require. Wouldn't it be nice to actually have some of OPEC's money to use for economic development, for creating industries that make goods that last for generations and are easily maintained?; we could actually work less, buy less and accumulate more!!! Wouldn't it be nice to buy everyone on Earth a clean, abundant water supply? We could grow far more food on far less land! Wouldn't it be nice to buy basic medical and educational services for the poor? Incidentally, I have read patents as a hobby for many years; there are many good ideas that failed for business reason, they never sold the rights to anyone, the patent ran out and now no investor will touch the idea since he is not rewarded with a temporary monopoly.
> From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Vo]:How to Really Give Power to the People! > Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 08:25:47 +1100 > > In reply to Wm. Scott Smith's message of Sat, 29 Jan 2011 11:16:36 -0800: > Hi, > [snip] > >Besides, free energy wouldn't be free, just from the standpoint that, "extra > >money" being diverted from energy into the otherwise same economy will not > >increase goods or services nor will it give you more spending power since > >the prices of everything else will inflate. Your increased spending power > >will simply vanish into the ravenous, slobbering, gaping, burping mouth of > >the Beast we call Inflation. > > You couldn't be more wrong. *Real* wealth is built upon two pillars:- energy > and > information/knowledge. Nearly free energy will have a tremendous impact on the > *real* wealth of the whole planet. We can only hope that that impact lifts > everyone far enough out of poverty to ensure a global reduction in the birth > rate. (The population is actually falling in some Western countries, and rises > most rapidly in the poorest countries). > Regards, > > Robin van Spaandonk > > http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/Project.html >
