From: Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Date: Fri May 10 2002 - 08:21:04 MDT
>From: T0Morrow@aol.com
>John makes a great point, I think, in the quote below. When I
>daydream about how I'll enjoy the fruits of advanced technologies,
>I often think about such things as running the Pacific Coast Trail
>or living on top of a Utah butte. True, I could do those things
>now--but not without incurring various unacceptable risks and
>discomforts. Humans probably have some inborn affinity for
>thriving in nature; nature has too seldom cooperated with that
>preference. That will almost certainly change, and for the
>better.
No need to be extreme, we have the technology....
You just need one of these: (From the Reality sculptors list)
From: Patrick Salsbury <salsbury@sculptors.com>
So, imagine, if you will, that you get one of these houses from
Reality Sculptors, and they have the thing pre-built and ready to
deliver to you, anywhere on the planet. (After all, when you buy a
car, you don't expect them to come and build it in your driveway,
do you?)
The house arrives at your distant mountain getaway, by
helicopter. It's settled onto the ground, auto-adjusting and
leveling itself with its 3-6 legs, so that it can find stable
footing, even on a strange slope. It arrives lightweight, with
little to no water on board, since that would just be extra weight
for the helicopter to haul.
Once stabilized, solar panels begin to unfold and deploy. The power
systems come online and make sure that they are all charged up and
"topped-off" with energy. The computer systems come up, take GPS
co-ordinates, and tie themselves into the Net via the nearest
connection. Grabbing your email, and the daily news. (As an aside,
that's what I do in my "earning a living" mode...news over the
internet. Check out http://www.clari.net/ to see where I work, and
what we produce.)((Patrick is no longer at Clarinet...Brian))
While the systems are coming online, you uncoil a hose to the
nearest mountain stream or pond, and drop the intake into the
water. The house begins to take on water, filling its reserve
tanks. (Probably 1000 gallons, but I need to do some calculations
on what sort of consumption is reasonable for a family, using
apropriate low-flow technology.) The water is filtered, purified,
and sterilized while being pumped in, so that it's available in
drinkable form. The hydoponic systems start being hydrated
once the water is available, and the computer system gives you
information on what sorts of crops will do well at your latitude,
longitude, altitude, and season. (Perhaps the house comes equipped
with a seed library as well as lots of info on where to order more
seeds, and books/info online.
Once the water tanks are full, the house has another 8000 or so
pounds of ballast, which will help anchor it in place until you're
ready to leave. (At which point, you say "we're leaving on
such-and-such date" and the computers calculate how much water
needs to be "bled off" each day until departure, leaving you once
again with a lightweight, easy to move house.) When it rains,
rainwater is collected, purified, and directed to the holding
tanks.
Solar power charges most of the system, but the house also has a
wind generator on a telescoping tower, since there's usually good
wind on most mountains and open spaces.
Within about 24-48 hours of delivery, your house gives you the
"green light", letting you know that all systems are functioning,
power & water stores have been topped off, the hottub is filled and
warm, and awaits you out on the deck, along with a telescope, so
you can take in the wonders of the universe from your mountain
retreat that's far, far away from the glow of city lights.
Cool huh?
Brian
Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
SBC/Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W
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