Venus Project

Zeitgeist 2 mentions the Venus Project which proposes the world can be run on solar, wind, tidal and geothermal power, with electric cars and maglev trains for transportation, and unlimited abundance of food, shelter and basic needs by eliminating scarcity.  Technology would handle 90% of labor, while technology itself improves to be more and more efficient because it won't rely on money or competition, but instead payment will consist of warm happy thoughts and paintings. 

So what are some flaws in the idea that there is enough energy, food, and advanced technology for everyone in a society relying on resource and energy abundance without using money as a competitive incentive?  Could Intel create better CPUs by being paid in happy thoughts?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7065205277695921912
http://www.thevenusproject.com/getInvolved.html

>>13
>they take up room that could be used for better things.
You're not going to install a reactor on your roof.

>Solar panel efficiency degrades by a LOT over time
Degradation of cells is typically LESS than 10%. Degradation of cells if often 'caused by poor maintenance and installation. If you leave a cell horizontal with no run off opportunities for things like water, you're asking for degradation.

>Solar energy is not ideal for most major cities which are located in cooler wetter climates.
Solar Panels run off light, not heat (were talking PV cells). You're going to get energy regardless of how cold or wet it is.
Solar panels still collect energy through cloud cover, and with the integration of infrared panels they still collect well after sun down.


>Solar Panels are still too expensive to produce
That cost is steadily declining. The more people buy and put them into use, the cheaper the cost of mass producing becomes.