Bush and energy

There has been a lot of discussion about President Bush's "Advanced Energy Initiative" and his line that we are "addicted" to oil. No one seems to be pleased about this: conservative commentators think the market will take care of things, and more liberal pundits see this as woefully too little too late. Thus, Bush gets hammered on both sides for rhetoric without any substance. It seems to me when critics pile on like this, with both sides fuming over their own agenda, the President is probably doing something right. But, there's more. It's true that we are highly dependent on oil (I'll refrain from "addicted", but the rhetorical fireworks were a good way to get people's attention), and the sources of this oil supply often make us more vulnerable to other countries. Yes, I realize most of our imported oil is from Canada and that oil is a world wide commodity, so that purchases don't really come from any particular country. In spite of all this, Venezuela, among others, is able to threaten us with ceasing exports. Clearly, we are not as free as we think; therefore, something should be done. This is all in addition to the environmental impact of burning so much oil, another pressing reason to get on with innovation. And that is exactly what this plan proposes to do. The conservatives (as expressed by Tony Blankley on "Left, Right and Center") are right in that the market will control how we get our energy. The market, however, is at the mercy of its supply. If a certain product doesn't even exist, the market certainly can't favor it, no matter how wonderful it is. Therefore, it is prudent to avoid fighting the market with incentives and rebates while influencing it with innovation and alternatives. As far as I can tell, this plan aims to produce better and cheaper alternatives to oil so that the market will have the freedom o choose them down the road. There seems no way around it, oil prices will go up. I am pleased to see that a plan, no matter how little for now, is in place to give us an escape from our current situation. And the better the alternatives get, the quicker we can get out.

Did I mention...

...I'm not too interested in Chrysler products either? They have a ton of good qualities (RWD + obscene horsepower = exquisite goodness). However, I just can't make the convincing argument to myself that these qualities are enough to overlook their issues, some of which come through the linked article. This is why the Japanese are decimating our auto industry. Unfortunately if GM doesn't get its act together, I'll end up an American auto teetotaler.

Daily Douglas Adams*

"But we just left there," protested Zaphod. "We left there and came to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe."
"Yes, sir," said the waiter, feeling that he was now into the home stretch and running well, "the one was constructed on the ruins of the other."
"Oh," said Arthur brightly, "you mean we traveled in time but not in space."
"Listen, you semievolved simian," cut in Zaphod, "go climb a tree will you?"
Arthur bristled.
"Go band your heads together, four-eyes," he advised Zaphod.
"No, no," the waiter said to Zaphod, "your monkey has got it right, sir."
Arthur stuttered in fury and said nothing apposite, or indeed coherent.

*Not really daily.

"It's the circle of life...

...and it moves the soul..." Well, not quite. But there is clearly something disturbingly circular going on in the world; check out this Fusion and this Fusion (could I just buy the car and shave with the grill?). It's not too hard to imagine that the shower is where this design had its conception. However, I am encouraged by Ford's prescience in including five blades on their new-Taurus. Clearly those Japanese and Korean competitors better watch out.

"It was winter. He was 59."

A beautiful and moving piece.

American cars: not so bad.

I'm still not convinced to consider a third Ford. It's going to take more than this to assure me that a Ford purchase on my part isn't the definition of insanity.

Diesels

Check out this article. The picture, I must say, leaves something to be desired. However, the guy knows his stuff and gives an interesting interview regarding the future of diesels. I'd buy one at the right price from the right company; sadly that correlates with nothing in the market now (VW's reliability woes are a deal breaker, and Mercedes-Benz is a bit over my head).

NAIAS

Here is my obligatory NAIAS post, with a few of my snapshots. I could ramble on about how cool the Camaro was (see below) or how I liked the Kabura (see below again), but mostly I'd like to point out a couple cars I saw that didn't make the most news elsewhere (either they weren't as popular or not as new). First up is the Honda FCX concept:

I think this car is gorgeous, with just the right techno flair mated to smooth sweeping curves. This reminds me a lot of the new Civic, and I hope Honda takes their Accord this direction.

Also, I ended up loving the Porsche Cayman. I know it's "just" a hard top Boxster, but man does it have beautiful lines. Something about the fixed roof adds some grace. Here's a picture of the important part:


Finally, I'll wrap up with my favorite pictures from the show, labeled appropriately. Enjoy.

Chevrolet Camaro:


Mazda Kabura:



Saturn Sky:

Namesnik

A nice reflection on a great life. At least part of the world noticed.

This I did not know

Of all the places, The AutoProphet has some interesting details about who owns Caribou Coffee and how they run their business. Apparently, they require Caribou to operate under Shari'ah law. As you might guess, I'm not a big fan; however, they seem to implement Shari'ah in ways that do little damage. For instance, the company's financial dealings are their own to decide, and I'm not sure I care to have pork in my coffee anyway (though they may lose my business to Bruegger's for their bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on an Asiago cheese bagel; man is that good). However, there are aspects of Shari'ah law with which I vehemently disagree, and though they don't announce it, perhaps these are followed or to be implemented given the chance. That, mainly, is why I may not spend my money there. If a Muslim found out that my business practices offended him (due to his religion or, really, for any other reason), I would not be surprised if he didn't want to fund the enterprise. Therefore, Starbucks it is.

Kaus and design

Mickey Kaus may know a lot, but clearly his automotive styling tastes run counter to the majority of humans. Many people think the Challenger, or even the Mustang, is a better looking car. But with the Camaro concept winning awards like this, no one seems to be calling it "horrid". I for one prefer the Camaro concept's look to that of the Challenger and Mustang. It has a modern treatment of the classic Camaro lines baked in, and I see that as preferable to a basic Xerox of the original shape, e.g. the Challenger. I think the Camaro makes the other two look old and dated, but of course they are supposed to look old and dated. However, I'm not old, so why would I want an old looking car? I could always buy an original (or, at least, a copy) in any event; you might retort that safety, emissions and interior design have come a long way in the last forty years. You would be right, and that's why people don't buy the old cars and why there's a market for these retro machines. But I figure, if you're going to update the safety, emissions, reliability, ergonomics and interior design, why would you want to mate that with forty year old styling? Thus, the Camaro concept is victorious.

May he rest in peace

My favorite swimmer of all time, and a man I have always held in the highest regard, passed away recently. Eric Namesnik swam at the University of Michigan for a number of years, won two Olympic silver medals and took second place in what I would call the most exhilarating race ever. He inspired me in my short swimming career; the story always went that he was the straight arrow hard worker, while Tom Dolan had the natural talent. Despite all the hard work, it seemed to end up that Dolan always came out on top. I identified with that, and it helped me keep striving even when things didn't go my way, both in and out of the water. More than just a phenomenal swimmer, it turns out Eric was a stand up guy as well, coaching in the years after his retirement and loving his wife and two kids. I pray that his family can hold together through this, that his wife can grieve and yet be comforted, and that his children would indeed have a strong father figure in their lives. The world should mourn when good men like this are taken from us. It doesn't of course, but it should.

Coup d'état?

This wasn't my first choice, but, I'll admit, this may prove a better move in the long run. At least GM is in the game.

Graduate Student Waves

I found out recently, since my current line of work keeps me far from quantum mechanics, that I do indeed have a wave associated with me. (The de Broglie matter wave, apparently. If I'm misguided in some technical way about this, feel free to correct me. Also feel free to use your obviously considerable intellect to better mankind rather than correcting a mere engineer like me.) This is in stark contrast to the position I took in a offhand discussion with a friend a few weeks back. My point was: "Look! Do you see any waves? Exactly." Now I realize they are just too small to see, even with some really cool scientific instruments. Thus, I'm not entirely sure how to experimentally confirm all this, but since we do seem to have extraneous graduate students lying around, we could atleast attempt the two slit trick with them. With a little funding I'm sure I could find few willing souls.

Intuition and Zygotes

Check out this post by Ross over at The Daily Dish. I find this an interesting discussion of the pro-life point of view, with points I haven't heard elsewhere. My view is likely similar to Ross's "pro-life position", so this (and similar) discourse encourages me that a realistic and rational "pro-life" change can be made to American law. What that change would specifically be, I don't know. There are so many issues surrounding abortion (cultural, political, logical and practical) that no simple solution exists. Maybe I'll be inspired and think of a good one someday, but regardless of who is the impetus, I hope to see that change soon.

Pontiac and Credibility

If there's one thing that Pontiac needs these days, it's credibility. You may call this by many names: desirable product, buzz, an identity. But what it all boils down to is getting people to understand who Pontiac is and believe it's true. And it's not too hard to figure out who they want to be; they are "Driving Excitement", remember? Who believes it though? I've driven some Pontiacs; I wasn't excited.

But I'll tell you this, they have a couple serious cars to back up that claim. In particular, the GTO and Solstice. One has 400 HP, a wicked interior and a price you would expect from Hyundai. The other is a frontal assault on the sport roadster market that Mazda's Miata has dominated since time immemorial. Both of these are great cars that hit right at the heart of what sports cars can be. But these are not enough. Pontiac needs more, and by more I mean another car (or two or three) that hits at its core reason for existing. Here's my next move.

I suggest another body blow to the sports car market: a fighter for the WRX and Evo. What would this take? Seriousness, for one. GM loves to be everything to everyone and end up mediocre, but to compete in the market today you just cannot do that, especially not with a brand like Pontiac. The vehicle must not only fight the two behemoths, it must win, and it must win rally races. This will take a focused, almost niche, vehicle, but credibility is paramount, remember? Nothing is more credible than being able to buy a car that is, in large part, raced insanely down back roads through forests. Simply film some races and your marketing is done. Moreover, it must be an in your face, no compromises all-wheel drive beast with styling and attitude. Make it ugly for all I care, but make it functional and fast. Body cladding and fake hood scoops are a joke. Nostrils and duct work to cool massive rotors, diffusers and ground effects to divert atmosphere and huge gauges with minimalist interior finishing to aid racing are functional and respectable. Besides that dusting the competition makes just about anything cool in this world.

Finally, this will open the possibility of selling the car in detuned mode, Subaru Impreza style. The mass of cars will move in this trim, but the reason for it will be the beast up the price ladder. A move into this market would make Pontiac one heck of a car company. Who else produces a trio of cars like the Solstice (quite nearly the best roadster on the market), the GTO (is there even a competitor for this muscle car? Ok, maybe the Mustang) and this WRX fighter? All they need now is a name. It could be the G4 (to go along with the G6, since it would have a blown four-cylinder as opposed to the 6's in the G6). Have a better name? Let's hear it.

Unfortunately, none of this will likely happen. GM is spent just from the Solstice, and they would need this car now. A surprise attack at the NAIAS would be magnificent, and its that sort of work that is needed at GM these days. Perhaps they are applying themselves somewhere else and another coup is imminent in a different division. I hope so, but I doubt it.

Japan and missiles

Though the Japanese are decimating the United States auto industry and some are upset over their trade practices, Japan is still a staunch ally of the United States as whole. So it comes as no surprise, considering this and Japan's proximity to North Korea, that we are helping them with missile defense. The project seems a good idea to me, for both the United States and Japan. Neutralizing the threat of North Korea is a good thing; they've had carrots offered for years with little positive response. This a "big stick" that we (and Japan) can carry that is merely defensive, and it will help encourage positive movement by North Korea (and possibly other such countries).

Yes. We need this.

Ross, again, has insightful commentary on Christianity, this time with respect to our culture. A must read. I'm interested to see what else he has in store for his stay at The Daily Dish.

A magnificent clarification

Check out this post by guest blogger Ross at The Daily Dish (Sullivan). I may disagree with the Catholic Church on some things, but in this arena I think we stand side by side. And this little post seems to get it, the reason why science and a faith in God are compatible. It also is one of the few posts on any blog that acknowledges one of the significant driving forces that keep people from being comfortable with evolution: the evolutionary biologists themselves. I don't see how proving evolution disproves God any more than all the previous scientific advances disproved God (and yes, he's still alive and well). But these biologists think otherwise, and they often fail to separate their science from their beliefs. One I accept. The other I don't.

Apparently...

...I'm not a real man. At least now I know.