I'm still enthusiastic. :)

So am I - I guess that's why I had 3 kids.

Add me to the enthusiastic list, I only wish I could live beyond my years!

I'm still hoping for either a) a way to transfer what is "me" into a human analog when my current meat suit dies, or b) a cure for death. IMO, both of the above are not purely science fiction.

Best,

Kurt

most definitely captured a fantastic vision of the future there Kurt; didn't mean to detract.

I call it slave labor

No civilization/society/government lasts forever.

Clearly, the US is on the downside of its curve. Our work ethics (other ethics, too), values, have been in decline for a while, and continue to decline. It is tough or impossible to reverse that course. Our role as an economic superpower is declining, and will continue to do so as we become relatively less competitive in the world economy. We can't control our own borders. Entitlement spending is swallowing our entire budget, and will only get bigger, not smaller.

We were optimistic as a country in the past because . . . there was reason for optimism.

That being said, I'm still optimistic! Mainly because we are a giant ship, that will take a long time to sink. So there is still plenty of time for us, our children, and probably their children, too. At this point, we are still the greatest country in the world.

You caused me to take a deeper, more philosophical look at the question!

Thank you. :)

Best,

Kurt

Here's some more stuff from Dubai.

Claimed to be the world's first "mixed-use positive energy building" meaning it will produce more energy than it consumes.

It's part of a larger development called "Masdar City" that is supposed to be "zero waste, zero carbon emission".

I think it looks cool, too.

Source: http://www.smithgill.com/MasdarHeadquarters.htm


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205027229.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205027248.jpg

FWIW.

Best,

Kurt

I did not see any Americans in that picture Kurt!


IT is still the desert! I rather surf Hawaii and ski Aspen. Let them have their fake world...

I know, Luis. :)

Earlier in the thread I was just pointing out that some of the utopian visions, at least aesthetically and perhaps environmentally, are not just visions, but being built today.

I like America fine and great things are happening here as well, just not to the extremes found in Dubai.

Best,

Kurt

Actually I've always thought the contrast that is seen in pictures of the banks of the Nile was stunning and beautiful. A vibrant river with a strips of lush green then sudden desert is a very cool image to me.

Kurt thank you for that earlier comment. I've gotten such a benefit from many others here in PPOT and I generally fail to mention it. Will try not to be so forgetful in the future.