Pilar Melendez  🪬Dec 16, 2022
George Takei  🏳️‍🌈🖖🏽
Humans can be fallible, violence prone, dangerous to themselves, other species and the world, true.
But humans can also cooperate, achieve amazing feats, and even save the planet from devastation.
I considered this when I heard that 70 years after the first use of atomic fusion, humans have achieved *ignition* at the Lawrence Livermore Lab. That means more energy was produced from a fusion reaction than was used to power it. We have a long way to go, but this is a huge milestone! #Hope #Fusion
Dec 15, 2022 at 3:21pmWeb
Show threadchrisDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei Thank you, George, for using your reach on social media to bring us words of encouragement and hope during the best and worst of times 🧡☮️
Show threadJackie WolfDec 15, 2022
@chrisculling @georgetakei Hope is good for getting you through the night, but in the light of day, we gotta prepare for impact. And since the #government isn't doing anything, its time to look at your own risks, and mitigate as best you can. Or move if needed. Personally, we did in 2018 - I figured we beat the crowds moving north and away from the oceans or away from the expanding desert. #Florida #Texas #climatechange #emissions
Show threadNelson SVG JamesDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei
Show threadAscendorDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei An amazing milestone, indeed. Yet, this does not allow us to step down on climate emergency and hope for the silver bullet: Fusion will not be ready in time. We need to build on renewable energy sources today.
Show threadFrankieJDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei thank you for this reminder. We need your powerful voice. I lead with kindness as a habit. Sometimes it is not enough.
Show threadGma47Dec 15, 2022
@georgetakei I find this breathtaking. Why isn’t it getting more play? Can you imagine a day where we no longer need fossil fuels? In my great grandchild’s future?
Show threadVictor R. Ziblis/Mr. XmasDec 15, 2022

@PatB47 @georgetakei

Probably because it's a decade of tech or more before we can usefully harness it into power plants.

Show threadGma47Dec 15, 2022
@VictorZiblis @georgetakei Thank you. Great gran is 3 now. I would like to envision this for him. Thank you for responding.
Show threadMonica DePaul, AuthorDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei Too bad the coal industry will smear it as dangerous and pay politicians to never implement it, just like what's happened with nuclear, despite it producing less radiation and no carbon compared to coal.
Show threadJackie WolfDec 15, 2022
@MonicaDePaul @georgetakei The old nuke plants aren't designed for whats here as abrupt climate change accelerates.
Show threadMonica DePaul, AuthorDec 15, 2022
@JackWolf @georgetakei ...so then we should be building newer, safer nuclear plants in addition to solar and wind.
Show threadPetrusVDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei Disagree, for may reasons: https://www.insnet.org/nuclear-fusion-is-a-black-hole-for-money-and-energy/
Nuclear fusion is a black hole for money and energy - iNSnet

Nuclear fusion will not contribute to solving the current climate and energy crisis, or any time soon. So we better stop it.

iNSnet
Show threadSpencer W HunterDec 15, 2022
@petrusv @georgetakei
Good article, and it confirms concerns I’m aware of. My only beef is the presentation of an either-or fallacy when we are perfectly capable of doing both. The “far-flung” future will forever remain that unless we work on it now.
Show threadPetrusVDec 17, 2022
@swhunter7 @georgetakei Indeed, not "either-or" - but a temporary stop of non-priority excessive energy-consuming practices will hardly harm science in the long run, and help solve our problems right now.
Show threadtichoDec 15, 2022

@georgetakei The sad part is that if and when this becomes a viable technology, it will be weaponized long before it is put to more wholesome uses.

"[...] dangerous to themselves, other species" indeed.

Show threadHendrik FlemingDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei @ticho fusion has been weaponized since 1952…
Show threadtichoDec 15, 2022

@hfleming @georgetakei Huh, until just now, I always thought thermonuclear weapons used just nuclear fission, not fusion. Well, thanks to you, this day wasn't a complete waste, for I learned something. :)

Thanks!

Show threadAndrew D.Dec 16, 2022
@ticho @hfleming @georgetakei IIRC the fusion is used mostly to boost the efficiency of the fission. We are theoretically capable of much larger weapons than the Tsar Bomba. Yay humanity.
Show threadAndrew D.Dec 16, 2022
@hfleming @georgetakei @ticho Touché
Show threadJson DohDec 15, 2022
@ticho
I choose to focus on "[...] amazing feats". Thank you, @georgetakei
Show threadPat ClementsDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei people can be easily manipulated. Critical thinkers are our only protection.
Show threadDarrellDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei Sir, you are a national treasure!
Show threadCwnidogDec 15, 2022

@georgetakei : A great advancement.

Now, are the dilithium crystals ready to take the strain?

Show threadJerriJamzDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei Love ❤️ your perspective, GT. Sassy man with a positive outlook👍🏻
Show threadBert LatamoreDec 15, 2022

@georgetakei However, we are still a long way from a practical source of power. This was not a sustained ignition, which is the next step. Then we have to design a practical power plant around that sustained ignition. Then we have to actually build those plants, which will require a huge investment.

Meanwhile, solar and wind power are becoming the cheapest sources of energy. Fusion may become a too little too late situation.

Show threadsxpertDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei @BertL not really, fusion should be able to produce at will, in a controlled fashion, 24/365
Solar and wind are dependent on weather conditions.
See germany right now:
Show threadRonald CramfordDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei
Nice. Hope rises up from horror and despair.
Show threadGinoDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei very true ❤️
Show threadGeoff TDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei
Absolutely, agree George! Every life form on this planet (universe) makes a contribution to the sum total of sustaining life. We can be the self awareness of life on earth, the new planetary immune/defense system (recent nudging of astroid), the new reproductive system, life to the stars or, we can be the virus that destroys life on earth (or close to). The choice is ours. In defense of this argument, let me remind that no other species on earth has the ability to make this choice.
Show threadGeoff TDec 15, 2022

@GeoffBC
We must "choose wisely"

Yes, fusion holds great promise, but for now, we must continue to explore and utilize every opportunity to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. And I feel we must include Small modular reactors (SMRs). Until fusion arrives, we must include limited use of fission, aka. nuclear reactors.

Show threadAginghippyDec 15, 2022
@the pace of advances on all energy fronts is [email protected]
Show threadEric GrilDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei NorCal ✊
Show threadWill EastonDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei unfortunately you've been "greenwashed" here... they did NOT get more energy out than they put in. They produced, with zero feasible way to collect or use any of it, more energy than they pumped down the laser beams. Big difference.
Show thread3MoonsDec 15, 2022

@Willeaston @georgetakei

Will, do you have an academic source for those statements? I would like to check it out.

Show threadJackie WolfDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei I'm sorry to say this, but the process of abrupt climate change is well underway, and it would be a good idea if you start explaining to people that the gvt is a large part of the problem. They won't knock on your door to say you're in harms way, nor will they reduce emissions if they haven't already. The IPCC is a total failure. So, use your fame to not only give hope, but tell the people to buckle up tight, the roller coaster has begun its ride.
Show threadComputeforloot Dec 15, 2022
@georgetakei truth, absolute truth
Show threadAspen ProposalDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei
We just need to make sure that we don't divert funding from renewables, which have immediate application, to fusion which is still likely decades away. Fossil fuel subsidies, on the other hand....
Show threadaboominationDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei is it 100% confirmed now? i didn't want to get my hopes high just yet.
Show threadTâi Siáu-káu 台痟狗 ㄊㄇㄉ 🇳🇫 台灣國Dec 15, 2022
@georgetakei Law of Thermodynamics no longer applies? 🤷🏽‍♂️
Show threadLegroRDec 15, 2022

@georgetakei

For the uninitiated, in his mention of the "first use of atomic fusion," George refers to the U.S. test of the world's first "hydrogen bomb," the vernacular then for what are now more accurately known as thermonuclear weapons.

Show threadGVF 🇨🇦Dec 15, 2022

@georgetakei

The fusion headlines are energy out/energy in > 1

But, there is the efficiency to create energy in (1%)
And the efficiency to convert energy out into electricity.

It's a significant baby step. But we're still a long way off.

Show threadfritzcokidDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei how long before we learn dilithium crystals are part of the equation?
Show threadMargaret L TerryDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei
Show threadBehnamDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei well said. Infinite energy source may put an end to many conflicts and shortages. Humans may head to the positive direction and change some bad habits. Replacing the concept of enemy and wars in books, tales and movies with discovery and learning would be a great example.
Show threadKitsyDec 15, 2022

@georgetakei

especially #hope

Show threadHoward JonesDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei 🙏
Show thread🇳🇿   💉*9 RogerDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei cooperation is our super power. If you put a chimp in a forest in a month it will be fine, probably. Put a human in the same forest, in a month, probably dead. Put 100 of us in that forest and in a month...you'll have a town.
Show threadCps10001Dec 15, 2022
@georgetakei It's will certainly help. Perhaps there is hope for a reasonable future for all.
Show threadDavid TaylorDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei
I hope we can cooperate in developing this and that we can acquire the materials to build this without destroying the environment or any peoples that are in the way. I'm afraid we might see yet another 'Avatar' in the near future.
Show threadKevin MorganDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei My understanding is the GROSS energy put into the LLL experiment was quite a bit more than that produced. The energy from the lasers hitting the ignition material was less, but that doesn't include the energy to FIRE the lasers. So...it's a bit disingenuous, IMO. Progress...but commercial fusion still probably decades away, maybe more.
Show threadJames GuilfordDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei Some 50 years ago I attended a public presentation by someone promoting fusion as the future of electric power; I had just read an article stating it could be a century before fusion power becomes a reality. By that measure, we're half-way there. Hoping for a clean, bright future (soon!) and best wishes to you!
Show threadLeeDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei
Only if we don't kill the earth FIRST!
Show threadNegprobDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei It is an important result. Unfortunately, it seems that the most direct application will be to develop bombs and not clean energy.
Show threadPaul Yager Dec 15, 2022
@georgetakei This will hopefully change our current trajectory regarding climate change.
Show threadAg TerraneDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei It's only 120 years since the discovery of radioactivity. So amazing.
Show threadantipode77Dec 15, 2022

@georgetakei

From comment section.

Energy efficiency: energy produced divided by energy consumed.

3 MJ produced/ 300 MJ consumed = 1%.

The dream of fusion has always been to generate many multiples of 100% of the energy consumed, so this dream remains just that. From an investment point of view, it remains a fantasy.

Meanwhile, the sun is still sitting there, already up and operational, democratically available around the planet, no maintenance or input needed.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/science/nuclear-fusion-energy-breakthrough.html

Scientists Achieve Nuclear Fusion Energy Breakthrough in the US

The advancement by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers will be built on to further develop fusion energy research.

The New York Times
Show threadlp0 on fire Dec 15, 2022

Our local ball of exploding hydrogen is indeed just sitting there, and we have the means to use a tiny – indeed, negligible – fraction of its output.

Perhaps what we really need is a Dyson sphere…?

Show thread我不会说中文 🆗Dec 15, 2022
@georgetakei You're such an optimist. It isn't too often I say this about a technology, but I hope fusion continues to be so complicated and expensive that only the wealthiest nation-states on the planet can achieve it.
Show threadKristen FifeDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei Zephram Cochran isn’t yoo far in the future ;)
Show threadThe X FilesDec 15, 2022
@georgetakei I am having a hard time finding folks to follow. Where is the search icon?