Win-win argument
For EarthDay, I thought I would interrupt my planned follow-up to the education posts and talk about something I thought overlooked. Specifically, it is interesting that there is a war of words over which technology is better, hybrid or diesel. First, there was this post on Voices of Reason in which Jason expressed his doubt over the benefit of hybrids. Then, I came across this post on M1EK's blog defending the hybrid, which sparked a debate in the comments over hybrids vs. diesels. All good stuff, but the funny thing is that we have people arguing over these two technologies like GTO and Mustang fans arguing over "Quien es mas macho." I say that the existence of the argument at all makes us all winners.
Then, more recently, there was a NY Times editorial questioning the use of hybrid technology in the Lexus (sorry, I only heard about it, but it's a well-known argument), followed up by much hand-wringing in the environmental echo chamber. Apparently, there is a template that sees any action not approved by a regulatory agency as questionable and probably evil. I see this use of hybrid technology as good news: every technological advance in the last 20 years has been put to work not to increase mileage, but to increase power without altering mileage. This one is no different. So why is it good news? Because it's a signal that hybrid technology is every bit as acceptable as turbo and multi-valve engines to one of the world's most conservative users of technology: Toyota. The FUD on the hybrid issue is dead. Now, when is Ford going to build Reflex, the hybrid diesel that appeared on the cover of IEEE Spectrum magazine this month?
Really, folks, this is all good news. If I'm arguing with MiEK over whether my 46 mpg is better or worse than his Prius - and, coincidentally, whose 0-60 time is better - then there are no real losers.
Two related links: Check your environmental footprint and look at this backward-looking video from 2060. My footprint is relatively large due to my long commute, but I'm still lower than the average American (17 vs. 24). The former from Matthew Kahn's Environmental and Urban Economics blog, the latter from Tim Haab and John Whitehead's Environmental Economics blog.
Then, more recently, there was a NY Times editorial questioning the use of hybrid technology in the Lexus (sorry, I only heard about it, but it's a well-known argument), followed up by much hand-wringing in the environmental echo chamber. Apparently, there is a template that sees any action not approved by a regulatory agency as questionable and probably evil. I see this use of hybrid technology as good news: every technological advance in the last 20 years has been put to work not to increase mileage, but to increase power without altering mileage. This one is no different. So why is it good news? Because it's a signal that hybrid technology is every bit as acceptable as turbo and multi-valve engines to one of the world's most conservative users of technology: Toyota. The FUD on the hybrid issue is dead. Now, when is Ford going to build Reflex, the hybrid diesel that appeared on the cover of IEEE Spectrum magazine this month?
Really, folks, this is all good news. If I'm arguing with MiEK over whether my 46 mpg is better or worse than his Prius - and, coincidentally, whose 0-60 time is better - then there are no real losers.
Two related links: Check your environmental footprint and look at this backward-looking video from 2060. My footprint is relatively large due to my long commute, but I'm still lower than the average American (17 vs. 24). The former from Matthew Kahn's Environmental and Urban Economics blog, the latter from Tim Haab and John Whitehead's Environmental Economics blog.
Labels: philosophy
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