In 2011, an interview was published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which is a magazine dating from as far back as 1945. Several scientists and other relevant representatives of the technological era sought from that time on to provide information and publicly express concerns in regards to the use of new weapons of mass destruction developed from emerging technologies.
¶ … 2011, an interview was published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which is a magazine dating from as far back as 1945. Several scientists and other relevant representatives of the technological era sought from that time on to provide information and publicly express concerns in regards to the use of new weapons of mass destruction developed from emerging technologies. The interviewee in cause was the late Stanford Robert Ovshinsky, a renowned figure in this respect, whose work has brought numerous contributions in different fields of inventions. Few of us using smartphones today are aware of the fact that Ovshinsky was the one behind the battery technology which applies to most of the world's smartphones but is not limited to that. However, his general interest and, for that matter, early interest in the world of inventions, was energy and storing energy. The interview thus, explores the inventor's perspective on alternative sources of energy, respectively, solar electricity. It starts with a brief introductory narration on Ovshinsky's nickel metal hydride battery related inventions and his genuine and continuous interest for energy technologies. The industrialist's efforts to bring about change in the field of energy in the United States are gradually recounted, questions looking to evoke past time challenges and, either successes or failures that Ovshinsky had been subject to throughout the years. What's more, the emphasizing on today's further reluctance of society to engage in change in the field of energy is pointed out. Further on, the inventor is asked to explain and expand on his achievements regarding photovoltaics from after his departure from Energy Conversion Devices, a company he had established much earlier. Ovshinsky's answers revolve around his interest for the development of photovoltaic panels which could become a competitive energetic resource if investment is considered in this respect, according to the aforementioned. Storing energy is ruled out by both the interviewer and interviewee as among the most important issues to be addressed, as well as making renewable forces more accessible.
What is most relevant about the interview is that it focuses on existing challenges in society and it brings forth a prospect of minimum costs energy production. The interview is not of a meritorious character, rather, it merely looks to emphasize on Ovshinsky's achievements strictly in relation to energy development. Thus, it is characteristically bound to express a critical point-of-view in today's societies which are intrinsically dependent on energy for existence and evolution. This makes the interview an attempt to emphasize on the existing possibilities ?that would allow us to achieve a more peaceful, less dangerous, and a better and more equitable world for everyone. 1 Thus, Ovshinsky's work in regards to photovoltaic panels is such illustrated so that target audience may know that alternatives to substantial carbon emissions do exist. However, the idea beyond such alternatives, as illustrated by the inventor, is that society needs to embrace chance in this respect and be interested in sponsoring relevant techniques. Thus, what we are provided with in the interview is the idea of existing possibilities, the need for implementing such possibilities and the difficulty that such ideas confront in terms of actual support. Ovshinsky is not unwilling to confess that important leading figures of the U.S. are limited at merely verbal encouragement and he mentions President Obama in this respect who, in a gleeful manner, urged the inventor to ?keep at it. Thus, what one is to understand from the issues raised in the interview is that not only do techniques and resources to ensure quality energy at fair prices exist, but also, we possess the means for achieving success in this respect. However, Ovshinsky is pointing to something else that would indeed be concerning if proved accurate. He draws on the public's credulity in regards to governmental decisions about alternative sources of energy and bringing about changes: Does anyone really expect that Congress will ever support renewables? Current policy doesn't really support anything new… 2
The interview is indeed relevant in regards to contemporary challenges that our industrial and technological societies must meet. The cheapest resource which is exploited worldwide for producing energy is coal which is also known to be the cause for most of the carbon emissions everywhere. This indeed has a global impact and it is likely that pollution in one part of the world will be the cause for negative side effects on another in the future. This is why the interview is not targeted at merely specific readers but indeed looks to draw on how societies everywhere could benefit from Ovshinsky's work, provided that relevant financial support exists. Moreover, while it presents certain technical explanations, the interview makes the information available to readers who are not perhaps as acquainted with the terminology as other interested audiences. In general terms, the information looks to cover and abide by the same initial principle which has been to inform people on potential dangers. And pollution represents a massive challenge for this new era of technological developments relying on electricity.
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