Ofgem Propose £21 On Energy Bills To Cover Bad Debt.

[Anna B 1,414]

3 hours ago, Delbow said:

The price of renewable energy continues to fall. Despite all the people who have claimed over the years that 100% renewable energy isn't viable because cloudy/still days etc, the efficiency of renewable energy production continues to improve and the costs of infrastructure continue to fall. The technology to store excess renewable energy to offset days of lower production continues to improve, and is at a fairly early stage so has a long way to go. The price per Kw/H continues to get closer to zero. This is going to put us in a situation at some point where the energy industry should go the way of the music industry, i.e. the companies have to accept much less profit because it becomes so cheap to generate it, almost free. But obviously the energy companies will be appalled at the prospect of us - you and me - having access to limitless, clean, virtually free energy, because their priority is making money for themselves, not providing power to you and me. So, we don't need to be in a situation where companies think about raising our energy prices to cover those who can't afford to meet their needs (of whom there are plenty), but this economic system demands that we maintain the insanity of making basics unaffordable to lots of people, when we could have it all for free if we wanted. Crazy.

That's what Capitalism is all about, but God forbid you should mention the alternative (Socialism) on this forum.

[Delbow 704]

1 hour ago, Anna B said:

That's what Capitalism is all about, but God forbid you should mention the alternative (Socialism) on this forum.

Heh, thanks for the warning.

 

I can see why people are wary of that though, it's been executed quite badly in the past. Mainly in the way that work has been organised, and then a lot of oppression to cover up that the work has been really badly organised. We're in a very different position now though, in that we could automate the majority of work that needs doing. That doesn't work when you need people to be earning a wage to buy things so that things are made and people have jobs making those things, but it does when you can leave most of it to machines. We could live lives of plenty while reducing our impact on the environment and have to work very little - but the board of British Gas and the others don't want that because it would mean they no longer had more than the rest of us.

[Anna B 1,414]

5 hours ago, Delbow said:

Heh, thanks for the warning.

 

I can see why people are wary of that though, it's been executed quite badly in the past. Mainly in the way that work has been organised, and then a lot of oppression to cover up that the work has been really badly organised. We're in a very different position now though, in that we could automate the majority of work that needs doing. That doesn't work when you need people to be earning a wage to buy things so that things are made and people have jobs making those things, but it does when you can leave most of it to machines. We could live lives of plenty while reducing our impact on the environment and have to work very little - but the board of British Gas and the others don't want that because it would mean they no longer had more than the rest of us.

Oh I agree! I've been saying it for ages, but people usually dismiss the idea out of hand.

 

It needs a mega rethink of sociey and most people can't get their heads round it, but it's perfectly possible. It's a bit like wanting world peace - a good idea, but nobody tries because they think it's just a pipe dream.

A universal income has been mooted, but is met with horror that some people might actually get something for nothing, and that goes against the grain, especially in Britain, where social class and one-upmanship is endemic and built around work and money.

Another better solution is to share work out so everybody works less, and this is combined with universal income. 

 

However if we don't adopt some new method the consequences are dire. We will have masses of people unemployed, and other people working their socks off to keep up, while we are 'ruled' by the super wealthy who also don't work, just live off the work of others. 

We are getting to the stage where we will have to chose between a Utopia which requires much more equality, or a Distopia which will resemble the Hunger Games and lead to division, resentment, poverty, and wars. Of course that will keep the Arms manufacturers in the money, so they will want that.  

 

But the Utopian option is just as possible, but requires all people to work together for the common good, to have plenty, but not to excess, and that should be enough. It would also help the planet. But then some people would not be able to look down on people and lord it over them would they? And as you say, we can never have that, can we......? 

 

I feel sorry for people who think like that to be honest, but what can you do to make them see how shallow and destructive they are being?

 

 

[Pettytom 1]

9 minutes ago, Anna B said:

 

Another better solution is to share work out so everybody works less, and this is combined with universal income. 

 

 

 

 

Brilliant idea Anna.

 

I’ll job share with you. How is your Analytical Chemistry?

 

Asking for a neurosurgeon friend

[Anna B 1,414]

29 minutes ago, Pettytom said:

Brilliant idea Anna.

 

I’ll job share with you. How is your Analytical Chemistry?

 

Asking for a neurosurgeon friend

Surgery and medicine will be done by robots too eventually.

I'm not saying there won't be problems that need sorting but nothing is impossible, if the will to do it is there.

[Pettytom 1]

3 minutes ago, Anna B said:

Surgery and medicine will be done by robots too eventually.

I'm not saying there won't be problems that need sorting but nothing is impossible, if the will to do it is there.

Are you really suggesting that neurosurgeons will be replaced by robots?

 

No wonder that you believe in JC and Brexit.

 

Speechless.

 

 

[Thirsty Relic 215]

20 minutes ago, Pettytom said:

Are you really suggesting that neurosurgeons will be replaced by robots?

 

No wonder that you believe in JC and Brexit.

 

Speechless.

 

 

I may be taking what you 2 are saying a little far, but here goes.

 

Many delicate operations have been performed by robots - linked to surgeons that are continents away and linked by V.R..  I would suggest that in any jobs, there are "boring", "monotonous", and "automatic" jobs that can be done by less skilled people, and eventually by robots.  Who thought in the 1950's that cars would be made a decade or so later almost totally by robots?  A.I. is already making decisions for us (often without our knowledge), and taking the place of people in the process. 

 

As for JC and Brexit... well Brexit is happening, and if we weren't made by robots, then .....

 

Just a comment!

 

 

[Anna B 1,414]

1 hour ago, Pettytom said:

Are you really suggesting that neurosurgeons will be replaced by robots?

 

No wonder that you believe in JC and Brexit.

 

Speechless.

 

 

Yes. It's already happening. We have remote controlled robots that learn, doing operations already. As they become more advanced Neurosurgery will certainly be possible.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-50745316

 

[nikki-red 308]

Back on topic now please.

[Pettytom 1]

6 hours ago, Anna B said:

Yes. It's already happening. We have remote controlled robots that learn, doing operations already. As they become more advanced Neurosurgery will certainly be possible.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-50745316

 

That’s neurosurgeons using robots, which is different.

 

To get back on topic, if the energy companies do try this, then maybe there should be some aggressive price restrictions introduced by government.

[AKAMD 0]

What?  This Government?  You are 'aving a larf!!!!

 

I have seen a TV ad for Peoples' energy; owned by the people and not for profit.  Does anyone know who is behind this and is it for real?