On Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:22:44 -0500, DSK wrote:

Remember, I'm not one of the doom-n-gloomers predicting the
end of civilization. I *do* think that the era of cheap
energy is over (until we develop fusion). Unfortunately that
also means that the era of ever-cheaper transport is over.

Not necessarily in my opinion. Two things need to happen:

1. New/better/cheaper ways of making electricity, e.g., fusion,
solar, tidal, wind, whatever.

2. New/better battery technology with lighter weight, faster recharge
and longer cycle life.

These guys appear to be really on to something new with batteries:

http://www.altairnano.com/markets_amps.html

Since I've become a significant stockholder recently, let's hope it
works out. I was on a conference call with senior management a week
ago and was impressed with their expertise and business plan.

I'd love to beta test some of those batteries on the boat but fat
chance. :-)