power and water, page-2

The issue seems to be be one of developing a selective eye as the need arises. Only when some object is deemed important will a class of expertise develop surrounding that. What proportion of society now could tell you the finer points in selecting a horse for transport purposes? What fraction might that have been two hundred years ago? If we need timber, and forests are plentiful (of no import) we cut down great swathes. Sometimes we discover the object's importance too late (like the Easter Islanders). If water is plentiful why worry; the metal pipe only provides an alternative route to the sea. As shortages occur necessity become the mother of invention. Yes, we can reduce evaporation, recycle water, find new processes altogether. Some backroom science and engineering is required supported by funding if society deems it desirable. After the Oil Shocks in the 1970s many wonderful ideas for renewable energy were generated but collapsed when oil became cheap again. Now we are reinventing that wheel again but this time on a more permanent basis. We are also now beginning to comprehend concepts such as 'sustainable societies'. Hence there is actually progress in civilisation. I like to contrast this with the knowledge that human intelligence has not changed in the last 5-6000 years so that basic aspiration and motivation also remains unchanged. Here we have a problem!

Juke