As if teenage girls don't already have enough problems with their self image/esteem, publicly humiliation is a surefire way to set them on a path to success.
On the contrary, some areas of research follow very specific trends and advancement in those fields is simply a matter of time and funding.
Solar cell technology is a good example; with advances falling along a predictable exponential curve. Computer processing power is another example that doesn't need explaining.
Of course, nobody can say when we'll invent warp drive or the cure for cancer, but that doesn't mean we can't chart future progress in other areas.
With respect to biofuels, varying levels of "success" can be (and are) estimated based on dollar amounts. 30% probability of success at $200 million, 75% probability of success at $2.5 billion, and so on. It's not foolproof, of course, but I imagine that's the kind of estimate lawmakers base this type of decision on.
As I said before, it's possible that their estimation was too optimistic. Or maybe the oil companies figured $6.8 million in penalties is a lot cheaper than R&D costs (that's me being cynical).
In response to your second question: "should government penalize anyone for failing to innovate?"
I suspect that you may be making broader implications with this question. I personally don't view this as a government attempt to get its hands on the wheel of American business.
Do I think a company like Apple should be punished for failing to innovate? Of course not. There are market mechanisms in place to assure that kind of innovation.
Oil companies, however, are not just anyone. In many ways, they provide the backbone of society in its present form. Market rules do not apply. We cannot afford for them to NOT innovate. But, as Ryan said, not innovating is in their own best interest.
If penalties like this provide a little motivation, then I'm all for it.
Oof, it's late. I probably stopped making sense after the first sentence, but I do love the stimulating conversation Neatorama provides sometimes.
I am far from knowledgeable about this subject, but I thought this kind of thing was the norm.
"Automakers must have a fleet-wide average of X miles per gallon by X date."
"Light bulb manufacturers must increase efficiency X percent by X date."
Unless I'm mistaken, the manufacturers (in this case, oil companies) are responsible for funding the necessary research and implementing it in time to comply with the standard.
This post makes it sound like oil companies were just waiting around for someone to make this breakthrough, but were subsequently penalized when it didn't simply "emerge" from everyday sciencing.
Wouldn't it be more apt to say "Government Penalizes Oil Companies For Failing to R&D New Biofuels Within 5-year Deadline?"
It's possible that the "gub'ment" had miscalculated the feasibility of this technology... or maybe oil companies weren't as motivated by the legislation as they should have been. Either way, I doubt they'll sweat the 6.8 mil. It's hard to feel sorry for companies that literally have more money than they know what to do with.
More importantly, I'd like to hear about these midnight trains going "anywhere." Has NASA heard of this technology? Is there a flat rate or is the fare adjusted for distance traveled? Do we get to pick the destination or is it somehow randomized? Does it depart from any stations other than "small town" and "South Detroit?"
One ticket to Kepler 22-B, please. And I'd like some headphones for the movie that never ends.
I admire the work that went into this, and it's an interesting look back in time, but the description really had me expecting to find that Indiana Jones had directly borrowed shots (scene-for-scene) from older movies.
I guess it's proof that you can re-create any movie with clips from other movies.
Maybe someone out there will offer 50% off for explaining the basic tenets of evolution! Even mainstream Christians shouldn't have a problem with that, and people might learn something in the process.
I remember going to my friend's house when I was very young and we'd sometimes eat sandwiches made with American cheese, Mac & "Cheese," and various other cheese-type food approximations. Being the polite kid I was, I really, really had to suppress my gag reflex just to be able to finish what was given to me.
I'm pretty sure you'd have to be raised on the stuff to find it enjoyable, let alone preferable. Just sayin'.
I like how, in the monster truck video, there's a random white box on the ground that says simply "PIZZA."
This stunt brought to you by Pizza! Pizza: all your favorite meals...but on BREAD! This message was paid for by the Pizza Council and the National Pizza Association who encourage you to eat responsibly. Don't pizza and drive.
When I first saw that picture I instantly thought "that looks like [Radiohead singer] Thom Yorke!" It would've been a perfect fit for the article's subject matter.
Following the link to Mr. Greenjeans's Flickr account...turns out it's a "cast" of someone's face, found in the backyard of his customer.
Oh well. An interesting picture for an interesting article!
Aha! The dirty secrets of the mountain bike racing underworld exposed! The riders don't actually DO anything. They just hold on while the bikes automatically navigate the course for them. Have we really become this lazy!?
What a manchild.
On the contrary, some areas of research follow very specific trends and advancement in those fields is simply a matter of time and funding.
Solar cell technology is a good example; with advances falling along a predictable exponential curve. Computer processing power is another example that doesn't need explaining.
Of course, nobody can say when we'll invent warp drive or the cure for cancer, but that doesn't mean we can't chart future progress in other areas.
With respect to biofuels, varying levels of "success" can be (and are) estimated based on dollar amounts. 30% probability of success at $200 million, 75% probability of success at $2.5 billion, and so on. It's not foolproof, of course, but I imagine that's the kind of estimate lawmakers base this type of decision on.
As I said before, it's possible that their estimation was too optimistic. Or maybe the oil companies figured $6.8 million in penalties is a lot cheaper than R&D costs (that's me being cynical).
In response to your second question: "should government penalize anyone for failing to innovate?"
I suspect that you may be making broader implications with this question. I personally don't view this as a government attempt to get its hands on the wheel of American business.
Do I think a company like Apple should be punished for failing to innovate? Of course not. There are market mechanisms in place to assure that kind of innovation.
Oil companies, however, are not just anyone. In many ways, they provide the backbone of society in its present form. Market rules do not apply. We cannot afford for them to NOT innovate. But, as Ryan said, not innovating is in their own best interest.
If penalties like this provide a little motivation, then I'm all for it.
Oof, it's late. I probably stopped making sense after the first sentence, but I do love the stimulating conversation Neatorama provides sometimes.
"Automakers must have a fleet-wide average of X miles per gallon by X date."
"Light bulb manufacturers must increase efficiency X percent by X date."
Unless I'm mistaken, the manufacturers (in this case, oil companies) are responsible for funding the necessary research and implementing it in time to comply with the standard.
This post makes it sound like oil companies were just waiting around for someone to make this breakthrough, but were subsequently penalized when it didn't simply "emerge" from everyday sciencing.
Wouldn't it be more apt to say "Government Penalizes Oil Companies For Failing to R&D New Biofuels Within 5-year Deadline?"
It's possible that the "gub'ment" had miscalculated the feasibility of this technology... or maybe oil companies weren't as motivated by the legislation as they should have been. Either way, I doubt they'll sweat the 6.8 mil. It's hard to feel sorry for companies that literally have more money than they know what to do with.
One ticket to Kepler 22-B, please. And I'd like some headphones for the movie that never ends.
I guess it's proof that you can re-create any movie with clips from other movies.
I remember going to my friend's house when I was very young and we'd sometimes eat sandwiches made with American cheese, Mac & "Cheese," and various other cheese-type food approximations. Being the polite kid I was, I really, really had to suppress my gag reflex just to be able to finish what was given to me.
I'm pretty sure you'd have to be raised on the stuff to find it enjoyable, let alone preferable. Just sayin'.
This stunt brought to you by Pizza! Pizza: all your favorite meals...but on BREAD! This message was paid for by the Pizza Council and the National Pizza Association who encourage you to eat responsibly. Don't pizza and drive.
Following the link to Mr. Greenjeans's Flickr account...turns out it's a "cast" of someone's face, found in the backyard of his customer.
Oh well. An interesting picture for an interesting article!