Comments on: What’s that in the road ahead? http://www.dinocrat.com/archives/2008/12/08/whats-coming-down-the-road/ Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:47:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: MarkD http://www.dinocrat.com/archives/2008/12/08/whats-coming-down-the-road/#comment-314936 MarkD Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:47:11 +0000 http://www.dinocrat.com/?p=7290#comment-314936 Friedman has an opinion. His is worth as much as anybody else's, which is to say not much. I have one of those rechargeable cordless drills with one working battery. I can buy a new, better, drill for less money than a replacement battery. I'm not ready to invest in that technology when my (conventional) Honda Civic runs fine, is paid for, and will last another half dozen years. When I buy my next car, I'll consider asking Friedman for advice. Actually, I won't. He never asked me about his columns and I know as much about journalism as he does about cars. Friedman has an opinion. His is worth as much as anybody else’s, which is to say not much.

I have one of those rechargeable cordless drills with one working battery. I can buy a new, better, drill for less money than a replacement battery. I’m not ready to invest in that technology when my (conventional) Honda Civic runs fine, is paid for, and will last another half dozen years. When I buy my next car, I’ll consider asking Friedman for advice.

Actually, I won’t. He never asked me about his columns and I know as much about journalism as he does about cars.

]]> By: Paul http://www.dinocrat.com/archives/2008/12/08/whats-coming-down-the-road/#comment-314931 Paul Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:31:22 +0000 http://www.dinocrat.com/?p=7290#comment-314931 The moma's boy has never changed a spark plug in his entire life. Who GAF? A twirp. A nancy. Where is the Taliban when you need them? The moma’s boy has never changed a spark plug in his entire life. Who GAF?

A twirp. A nancy. Where is the Taliban when you need them?

]]> By: Cancuklehead http://www.dinocrat.com/archives/2008/12/08/whats-coming-down-the-road/#comment-314928 Cancuklehead Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:06:00 +0000 http://www.dinocrat.com/?p=7290#comment-314928 Can you have a succesful hybrid technology without improving the wear characteristics of specific engine components? 80% of engine wear is the result of engine startup. Hybrid technology multiplies engine starts many, many times. It is reasonable to expect the engines to wear out sooner. Would you buy a hybrid car if you needed to replace the batteries and engine every 2-4 years? Can you have a succesful hybrid technology without improving the wear characteristics of specific engine components? 80% of engine wear is the result of engine startup. Hybrid technology multiplies engine starts many, many times. It is reasonable to expect the engines to wear out sooner.

Would you buy a hybrid car if you needed to replace the batteries and engine every 2-4 years?

]]> By: ShrinkWrapped http://www.dinocrat.com/archives/2008/12/08/whats-coming-down-the-road/#comment-314926 ShrinkWrapped Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:32:44 +0000 http://www.dinocrat.com/?p=7290#comment-314926 I suspect Tom Friedman sees himself as a very smart man who knows what he is talking about. The arrogance here is breath taking and is rarely on display with such insouciance. But perhaps I should not be so negative; we should leverage his brilliance! He could be the ideal person to be the new Automobile Tsar. I suspect that after he fixes the big three and the energy economy, making it green and prosperous in the next 18 months, he will have plenty of energy and advice left over to solve our problems with the Middle East. His wisdom and brilliance are nothing short of astounding. Only those of us who are terribly limited intellectually could possibly find fault with his plans. I suspect Tom Friedman sees himself as a very smart man who knows what he is talking about. The arrogance here is breath taking and is rarely on display with such insouciance. But perhaps I should not be so negative; we should leverage his brilliance! He could be the ideal person to be the new Automobile Tsar. I suspect that after he fixes the big three and the energy economy, making it green and prosperous in the next 18 months, he will have plenty of energy and advice left over to solve our problems with the Middle East. His wisdom and brilliance are nothing short of astounding. Only those of us who are terribly limited intellectually could possibly find fault with his plans.

]]> By: Jane http://www.dinocrat.com/archives/2008/12/08/whats-coming-down-the-road/#comment-314925 Jane Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:27:05 +0000 http://www.dinocrat.com/?p=7290#comment-314925 Excellent questions (your last 3). While I have no problems with Mr. Friedman owning acres of land or a mansion, I do have a problem with him thrusting his preferences and opinions n what is "best" for the rest of us. Your question (a) may be the crux of the problem - perhaps hybridization of an automobile has little to do with what has driven the industry into the ground as much as management and political factors and factions. Excellent questions (your last 3). While I have no problems with Mr. Friedman owning acres of land or a mansion, I do have a problem with him thrusting his preferences and opinions n what is “best” for the rest of us. Your question (a) may be the crux of the problem – perhaps hybridization of an automobile has little to do with what has driven the industry into the ground as much as management and political factors and factions.

]]> By: Ralph Woods http://www.dinocrat.com/archives/2008/12/08/whats-coming-down-the-road/#comment-314922 Ralph Woods Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:41:47 +0000 http://www.dinocrat.com/?p=7290#comment-314922 Mr. Friedman must hold a substantial stake in a battery manufacturer. Why else push an agenda that holds little promise for energy independence and will be a massive waste of capital? Mr. Friedman must hold a substantial stake in a battery manufacturer. Why else push an agenda that holds little promise for energy independence and will be a massive waste of capital?

]]>