tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4672881018321440403.post1767175719332163074..comments2024-01-08T09:12:42.920-05:00Comments on SF and Nonsense: Ice, water, and fireEdward M. Lernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15620756142619513714noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4672881018321440403.post-89708786326079328422012-03-10T17:09:59.350-05:002012-03-10T17:09:59.350-05:00That is a good point. Fire lets you localize and c...That is a good point. Fire lets you localize and control heat while the temperature of water even near a geothermal vent would likely be unlivable. If technology developed around such vents, there would have to be some exception, either accidental or invented.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00969701260211272581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4672881018321440403.post-80633818102310268262012-03-09T15:29:38.157-05:002012-03-09T15:29:38.157-05:00Hi Erik,
Substitutes may well exist for some tech...Hi Erik,<br /><br />Substitutes may well exist for some technologies on which our early ancestors relied to develop basic tech (like working and smelting metals); I don't entirely discount your scenario. My feeling, however, is that for many processes the heat source must be amenable to precision control. <br /><br />By choosing where to place fuel, I can have a fire wherever it's convenient. By controlling the amount of fuel, I can apply -- and quickly change -- a particular level of heat. By dousing the flames, I can quickly slow or stop a heat-driven process gone awry. <br /><br />It seems difficult to me to tap geothermal heat in a similarly flexible manner. Without fairly advanced tech, how does one safely redirect molten lava for industrial uses? <br /><br />The analogy that occurs to me is tapping geothermal power is like cooking at a fireplace -- the only control is moving your food nearer and farther from the heat. Working with fire is like cooking on a modern stove with precision controls.<br /><br />But to know for certain, we'll need to ask a Gw'o :-)<br /><br />- EdEdward M. Lernerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15620756142619513714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4672881018321440403.post-75691355282118359752012-03-09T14:57:09.773-05:002012-03-09T14:57:09.773-05:00Is it feasible that they could create technology w...Is it feasible that they could create technology without fire if they had a good heat source? Perhaps heat from the same thermal vents they rely on for food?Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00969701260211272581noreply@blogger.com