Occupy Wall Street using bicycles to generate electricity

clonmahon

With Generators Gone, Wall Street Protesters Try Bicycle Power

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/with-generators-gone-wall-street-protesters-try-bicycle-power/

Hadron

I don't know how this response will go down:o, but I think people on the dole, who are fit and able, but can't find work would be able to cycle these to produce electricity- It would mean the wasters who are sponging off the government out of laziness would have to do something for the money, the electricity would make a small bit of money for the government, more bike sales for the bike shops, and with people getting more exercise it would cut down costs in the health sector, it seems like a good idea to me:), but maybe I'm wrong...

Lumen

Hadron wrote: »

I don't know how this response will go down:o, but I think people on the dole, who are fit and able, but can't find work would be able to cycle these to produce electricity- It would mean the wasters who are sponging off the government out of laziness would have to do something for the money, the electricity would make a small bit of money for the government, more bike sales for the bike shops, and with people getting more exercise it would cut down costs in the health sector, it seems like a good idea to me:), but maybe I'm wrong...

That's just pointless and degrading; your vision lacks scope. Surely we'd get more value by harvesting their organs or making attractive lampshades out of their skin?

Wheely GR8

It would be great if he powered a light bulb to see were hes not going

Hadron

Since when is cycling degrading...
I don't see why anyone who is genuinely on the unemployment benefit could have a problem with it- its not really exploitation or extortion a far as I can see, just my opinion. I know if I could get free electricity by cycling for a few hours I would do it.
http://www.econvergence.net/electro.htm

Chips Lovell

I agree. It's a very limited vision.

We should reintroduce galleys. A state owned ferry company, powered by the unemployed, could recoup some of the money we spend on our massive social welfare bill by ferrying people back and forward to Holyhead.

RobertFoster

Wheely GR8 wrote: »

It would be great if he powered a light bulb to see were hes not going

Lumen

Hadron wrote: »

I know if I could get free electricity by cycling for a few hours I would do it.

You can't get free electricity in this way. The electricity comes from food which takes a great deal of effort, money and fossil fuel to produce.

So even aside from the ethics and the politics, it's a stupid idea.

droidus

Lumen wrote: »

That's just pointless and degrading; your vision lacks scope. Surely we'd get more value by harvesting their organs or making attractive lampshades out of their skin?

You havent thought this through have you? If we set them to work in the bicycle galleys for a few years and then their organs would be far healthier, and their skin would be more supple and easier to work with.

RobertFoster

It puts the lotion chamois cream on its skin.

ednwireland

Hadron wrote: »

I don't know how this response will go down:o, but I think people on the dole, who are fit and able, but can't find work would be able to cycle these to produce electricity- It would mean the wasters who are sponging off the government out of laziness would have to do something for the money, the electricity would make a small bit of money for the government, more bike sales for the bike shops, and with people getting more exercise it would cut down costs in the health sector, it seems like a good idea to me:), but maybe I'm wrong...

something like this maybe



might fill the hospitals with mental patients though

clonmahon

Lumen wrote: »

You can't get free electricity in this way. The electricity comes from food which takes a great deal of effort, money and fossil fuel to produce.

So even aside from the ethics and the politics, it's a stupid idea.

This is dead on, generating electricity with a bicycle in not very efficient. It only makes sense in certain limited situations, to generate a limited amount of power. Like when the fire department won't let you use generators and you need a little power to run a few laptops and PDAs.

Dermot Illogical

Lumen wrote: »

That's just pointless and degrading; your vision lacks scope.

Think large Hadron!

Wheely GR8

Looking at some of the electric bikes available ,including the cube hybrid style.
Its easy to have a box on a commuter bike charging various things, batteries included. instead of charging an electric bike.
You could even charge batteries for charging shops ,who pay you to charge the batteries and they charge people for the service

jinghong

clonmahon wrote: »

This is dead on, generating electricity with a bicycle in not very efficient. It only makes sense in certain limited situations, to generate a limited amount of power. Like when the fire department won't let you use generators and you need a little power to run a few laptops and PDAs.

Yes
they would be better off using bikes to wash their clothes, the filthy green washing crusties

moggs1972

f$&king hippies