How Many Lawmakers Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 02. 1.07
Religious organizations have asked that question; now, a group of legislators is pondering it. California lawmakers are considering following the advice of the UK's Dr. Matt Prescott, and banning traditional incandescent light bulbs by 2012. Assemblyman Lloyd Levine introduced his bill, aptly titled the "How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb Act," by noting that we still rely on a 19th-century technology for many of our lighting needs:
"Incandescent lightbulbs were first developed almost 125 years ago, and since that time they have undergone no major modifications," ...Levine said Tuesday.If the law passes, California would be the first US state to take the step of banning the bulb. It likely wouldn't be the last: brisk sales of CFLs, rapid maturation of LED technology, and the relative ease of switching to one of these alternatives may make dispensing with Thomas Edison's most famous invention an easy choice for lawmakers. ::ENN"Meanwhile, they remain incredibly inefficient, converting only about 5 percent of the energy they receive into light."
Levine is expected to introduce the legislation this week, his office said.
You know, for the life of me I can't figure out why it's so hard for people to make the switch from incandescents to CFLs.
God, they'll find anything to complain about.
How harsh the light looks (there's warmer ones out there)
How they're ugly (um, lampshades?)
How the flickering, even if it's too rapid to detect, gives people headaches. (are you serious? I guess maybe all of Asia has some sort of headache-less gene, considering almost all buildings are lighted with CFLs there.)
ridiculous. I had to scout high and low to find the "right" CFL lightbulb that gave the right amount and the right color of light, with the right shape (so it didn't look weird), just so I could convince my roommates to make the switch in the living room/kitchen area.
God.
Technically speaking, all fluorescents flicker, but I don't buy that it is possible for the human brain to perceive flicker at the 20 kHz range of most electronic ballasts. Older magnetic ballasts operate at 60 Hz, and flicker is definitely noticeable with these.
It is also not true that the incandescent bulb has had no major improvements since 1879. Incandescents underwent rapid and continuous improvement until 1930 or so, after which there was no real room for improvement. The only noteworthy development since 1930 was the invention of quartz halogen lamps in 1959.
I don't agree that banning incandescents is the answer, since there will probably always be applications where they are more appropriate, and since such bans can create political backlash. A targeted excise tax is a much better idea. Make them more expensive to buy than compact fluorescents, to get the economically clueless on board. Meanwhile, if people want energy hogs, they can pay for them.
Forcing people to switch to CFL bulbs is the wrong approach entirely. Very few people want them: they're expensive to purchase, only slightly more reliable than cheap incandescent bulbs, and emit harsh, unpleasant light. Most people DO NOT like the way they look under CFL illumination, or for that matter, ordinary fluorescent lights in the workplace.
Should we take rank with Fidel Castro? That's right, Fidel, who forced the whole of Cuba's peasantry to convert to fluorescent. Faced with an unreliable, obsolete generating system and without ambition or funding to improve it, he simply forced an unwanted light source on his people. Wasn't that great.
Try the same thing in California and watch the whole green thing go down the tubes. People want their freedoms and they don't want to take a step backwards. People work hard, buy homes, and expect to light them with pleasant light sources. More importantly, they don't want some heavy-handed law crafted by the arrogant forced upon them.
The world needs electric power, take it or leave it. People want to light their homes and they want the light to be nice and pleasant. Got problems with global warming, with CO2 production, with foreign oil, with Thorium from coal? Then get real: Nuclear Power. It's the cleanest, cheapest, most reliable form of energy on the planet. Nuclear IS the right choice for the environment. Take freedoms away from US citizens - you'll hurt the cause of good environmentalism, and you'll end up with nuclear power anyway. You greenies need to pick your battles. It's Choice A or Choice B:
A) Nuke plants, lighting freedom, sound environmental policy
B) Nuke plants, angry citizens, weak & ineffective environmentalism.
Now I'm sorry but I have to get back to my book - under a full 100 watts of pure Tungsten - ooooh it's just.... shameless!
Anyone know a reference for the energy study?
I wonder if it figures in the extra heat needed to warm the rooms in winter when the incandescents aren't acting as heaters and the reduced AC in summer when the heat from bulbs in undesirable.
__________________________________
Writer's note: Jon -- I'll see what I can find out. If I find the reference, I'll add it to the post as an update.
"I had to scout high and low to find the "right" CFL lightbulb..."
Perhaps that's the reason that they aren't catching on as quickly as we'd like? Or maybe it's because an incandescent is currently ~50 cents and a CFL is six times that?
It could also be that each bulb has as much as 40mg of mercury in it, which is simply substituting one problem for another (because they aren't being disposed of properly), although I doubt it.
My point is that CFLs, in my view, should be a very short term step in the process of phasing out incandescents.
This company uses solid state lighting technology and there are others.
--
editor note: About mercury in CFLs.
Breitling Navitimer Two-Toned Review
Bytor reviews another version of a replica Breitling Navitimer. This version benefits greatly in accuracy from the faults of its earlier brothers. Many of the common Breitling replica flaws have been addressed, leaving a very convincing replica watch. One point not mentioned by Bytor is the inaccurate date window; this still is a flaw that can be used to immediately spot a replica Breitling. Breitling’s true date wheel is quite unique to their brand and is easily identifiable.
This article is reprinted here from The Replica Collector Forum.
Replica Breitling Navitimer
First I have to say one thing: Breitling Navitimer two-tone isn’t excatly my “usual style”. This is my “PoM Award watch” and I wanted this model for unselfish reasons (believe it or not). Personally, I prefer the standard stainless steel but since I (and many others) have already reviewed the stainless Navitimers to death I chose the TT model.
Even though there’s a big and constant demand there haven’t been too many reviews of the gold reps. So why not write one?
This doesn’t mean I don’t like gold watches, even my 2 first replicas were Rolex TT Subs. Far from it, I absolutely adore many TT models, including this Navitimer. I just feel I’m a bit too young to comfortably wear gold. Gold doesn’t generally go well with bulky and masculine sports models, but I don’t feel Navitimer falls into this category: With only 30 meters of water resistance and highly polished bracelet Navitimer isn’t exactly a hardcore “sports chronograph”. So gold, in my opinion, goes really well with it. It’s extremely beautiful and dressy, without being too “flashy” and vulgar.
As a replica the TT Navitimer is excellent. The center plated gold links look authentic to my eye. But then I’m not a jeweler, and I have no idea how the rep would “survive” under close inspection. I can only say that this watch has far superior feel compared to the two-tone Submariners I have owned, probably due the “solid” middle links and overall heavy weight of the watch and the bracelet.
Of course I can’t make any technical statements… or say anything about the longevity of the gold plating. I can only say that I’ve never heard anyone complaining about the plating fading off of the bezel. And even if the bracelet starts to fade… we all know how well Navitimer goes with a leather strap. The two-tone model is even available on a leather strap as a default.
Please check out our website:
fashionhause There are top quality of replica handbags for sell
with perfect weight, feel, and like the originals.or email us : info@fashionhause.com
[url=http://www.fashionhause.com]replica handbags[/url]
[url=http://www.fashionhause.com/forum/]Rolex forum[/url]
[url=http://www.fashionhause.com/links/]replica watches[/url]
[url=http://www.yesreplica.com/]rolex replica[/url]
[url=http://www.fashiontrends.cn/]fake rolex[/url]
[url=http://www.smokershops.com/]swiss rolex replica[/url]
[url=http://www.tiffany-sterling-silver.com/]tiffany sterling silver[/url]
tiffany sterling silver
replica handbags
Rolex forum
replica watches
rolex replica
fake rolex
swiss rolex replica
Sterling silver Necklace Tiffany Dreams
925 Sterling silver plated Tiffany Necklace - To highlight the sensual neckline or the face's best features necklaces offer marvelous ways to emphasize your beauty. From subtle and smooth pieces to the more elaborate and luxuriant, our Tiffany's necklaces are a graceful collection. Unique creations each in their own right, Tiffany's necklaces make up one of the most impressive collections of silver pieces known.
Tiffany-sterling-silver delights in the opportunity to offer our customers fine sterling silver rings, fake Tiffany necklaces, pendants, replica Tiffany bracelets, bands, brooches, replica Tiffany earrings and more, all at remarkably low prices.
Please check out our website:
http://www.tiffany-sterling-silver.com
Or email us:
Info@tiffany-sterling-silver.com
Louis Vuitton Audra White
Monogram Multicolore canvas with natural cowhide trim and golden metal hardware , Monogram Multicolore is a creation of Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton , Ruby alcantara lining for white; mole alcantara lining for black , Two compartments inside , Natural cowhide handles with chunky golden metal links .
Please check out our website:
http://www.fashionhause.com There are top quality of replica handbags for sell
with perfect weight, feel, and like the originals.or email us : info@fashionhause.com