Chrysler to discontinue Dart, 200 to make more room for SUV and truck production

[12,000 RPM]

"Someone should make a car that can run on water."

"OMG what a visionary! Here is a billion dollars"

[giant_mtb]

I dunno why anyone would want a car that runs on water.  What a waste of fresh water.  You think our water supply problems are bad now...imagine if everyone's vehicles were fueled by it. lolol

It's like nobody ever learned the water cycle in 4th grade.

[SJ_GTI]

I dunno why anyone would want a car that runs on water.  What a waste of fresh water.  You think our water supply problems are bad now...imagine if everyone's vehicles were fueled by it. lolol

It's like nobody ever learned the water cycle in 4th grade.

I think there was a commercial during the superbowl that talked about how people should turn off their water when they brush their teeth because the amount of water being "wasted" is as much as some people in third world countries get in a week.

All I could do was facepalm. I mean...its not like I am shipping in my water from Nigeria to brush my teeth with. The water is pumped out the ground and when it goes through my faucet and then through the septic system it eventually goes right back in to the ground it came from (after being naturally filtered from the dirt/clay/sand/rocks in the ground). This is how water works. There is not a finite supply of water that is being "used" up by brushing my freaking teeth.

[Laconian]

"Someone should make a car that can run on water."

"OMG what a visionary! Here is a billion dollars"

What the fuck would that even look like, anyways? Deuterium? Or is it a massive vertical skyscraper of a storage tank that uses the potential energy of stored water to drive the car?

[giant_mtb]

I think there was a commercial during the superbowl that talked about how people should turn off their water when they brush their teeth because the amount of water being "wasted" is as much as some people in third world countries get in a week.

All I could do was facepalm. I mean...its not like I am shipping in my water from Nigeria to brush my teeth with. The water is pumped out the ground and when it goes through my faucet and then through the septic system it eventually goes right back in to the ground it came from (after being naturally filtered from the dirt/clay/sand/rocks in the ground). This is how water works. There is not a finite supply of water that is being "used" up by brushing my freaking teeth.

You should feel bad for using water.  You should run your faucet into bottles and ship it to Africa.  Asshole!

[AutobahnSHO]

I think there was a commercial during the superbowl that talked about how people should turn off their water when they brush their teeth because the amount of water being "wasted" is as much as some people in third world countries get in a week.

All I could do was facepalm. I mean...its not like I am shipping in my water from Nigeria to brush my teeth with. The water is pumped out the ground and when it goes through my faucet and then through the septic system it eventually goes right back in to the ground it came from (after being naturally filtered from the dirt/clay/sand/rocks in the ground). This is how water works. There is not a finite supply of water that is being "used" up by brushing my freaking teeth.

Actually water is a huge problem some places. Like the entire west, minus rainy Pacific coast.

[Soup DeVille]

I think there was a commercial during the superbowl that talked about how people should turn off their water when they brush their teeth because the amount of water being "wasted" is as much as some people in third world countries get in a week.

All I could do was facepalm. I mean...its not like I am shipping in my water from Nigeria to brush my teeth with. The water is pumped out the ground and when it goes through my faucet and then through the septic system it eventually goes right back in to the ground it came from (after being naturally filtered from the dirt/clay/sand/rocks in the ground). This is how water works. There is not a finite supply of water that is being "used" up by brushing my freaking teeth.

Then when you realize it cost them like 5 million to air that commercial and do the math on how much water you could ship to arid areas for 5 mill...

Re-processing fresh water is a problem in some areas though- even in the grand old US. I live in Michigan though...

[MX793]

There's a lot of water on this planet, but potable water is something that many take for granted.  It is not as abundant, particularly in developing countries.  And then there are places like the American southwest where any water at all can be in short supply.

[SJ_GTI]

Actually water is a huge problem some places. Like the entire west, minus rainy Pacific coast.

Hey it ain't my fault people choose to live in areas with low amounts of water. But again, its not like the water I am using here in NJ has any impact on the amount of water in California/Arizona/NV.

Water is a problem there because there isn't much water there, not because I am brushing my teeth with the faucet running.

[SJ_GTI]

Re-processing fresh water is a problem in some areas though- even in the grand old US. I live in Michigan though...

This I understand. That being said, I live in the most densely populated state in the country. Re-processing water is not rocket science, just a function of whether people want to pay for it. It is one of the things that makes living in an urban or suburban area more expensive than a rural area.

[giant_mtb]

There's a lot of water on this planet, but potable water is something that many take for granted.  It is not as abundant, particularly in developing countries.  And then there are places like the American southwest where any water at all can be in short supply.

I have an idea...let's put golf courses in Arizona!  And instead of the entire thing being a giant sand trap...we should use a shitload of water we don't have to make it and keep it green! 

I feel minimal feels for people that live in deserts and complain about water shortages.  Like WTF r yew peeple expecting.  lol

[12,000 RPM]

What the fuck would that even look like, anyways? Deuterium? Or is it a massive vertical skyscraper of a storage tank that uses the potential energy of stored water to drive the car?

Gravity turbine KERS!!!!

[Laconian]

Gravity turbine KERS!!!!

That would be hilarious. Push the gas pedal, make a puddle.

[93JC]

What the fuck would that even look like, anyways? Deuterium? Or is it a massive vertical skyscraper of a storage tank that uses the potential energy of stored water to drive the car?

A magically small on-board electrolysis system, perhaps.

[Madman]

"Someone should make a car that can run on water."

[12,000 RPM]

A magically small on-board electrolysis system, perhaps.

I was thinking cold fusion. Elon said it's a good idea and someone should work on it so I bought a couple thou more in Tesla stock.

[SVT666]

I think there was a commercial during the superbowl that talked about how people should turn off their water when they brush their teeth because the amount of water being "wasted" is as much as some people in third world countries get in a week.

All I could do was facepalm. I mean...its not like I am shipping in my water from Nigeria to brush my teeth with. The water is pumped out the ground and when it goes through my faucet and then through the septic system it eventually goes right back in to the ground it came from (after being naturally filtered from the dirt/clay/sand/rocks in the ground). This is how water works. There is not a finite supply of water that is being "used" up by brushing my freaking teeth.

The level of the largest aquifer in the US dropped by 6' last year.

[12,000 RPM]

Where is all this water going? It can't just be evaporating into space. Aren't the ocean levels rising?

[MX793]

Where is all this water going? It can't just be evaporating into space. Aren't the ocean levels rising?

Down drains, where it frequently ends up in lakes, rivers, and streams.  Takes some time for water to work its way to the aquafirs, and we're pulling it out faster than it can replenish.

[Raza]

I dunno why anyone would want a car that runs on water.  What a waste of fresh water.  You think our water supply problems are bad now...imagine if everyone's vehicles were fueled by it. lolol

It's like nobody ever learned the water cycle in 4th grade.

Use salt water! Flyover states need not apply.

[SVT666]

Where is all this water going? It can't just be evaporating into space. Aren't the ocean levels rising?

Agricultural irrigation is the #1 user of water. Approximately 85% of all water used.

[2o6]

Yes, and "vegan" crazes like Almonds are actively depleting the aquifers. Things like Almonds use an intense amount of water to grow, and it's actively sucking the state of California dry.


(It's why I roll my eyes whenever I see my stupid friends talk about how bad for the environment and inhumane cow's milk is, and why we should drink almond milk - which is basically water and sugar.)

[Submariner]

Yes, and "vegan" crazes like Almonds are actively depleting the aquifers. Things like Almonds use an intense amount of water to grow, and it's actively sucking the state of California dry.


(It's why I roll my eyes whenever I see my stupid friends talk about how bad for the environment and inhumane cow's milk is, and why we should drink almond milk - which is basically water and sugar.)

And worst of all, it tastes like paper. 

[280Z Turbo]

Agricultural irrigation is the #1 user of water. Approximately 85% of all water used.

And for some reason the EPA still has a woody for corn ethanol.

[Laconian]

And for some reason the EPA still has a woody for corn ethanol.

Iowa gets fuckin' $2.2 billion in subsidies to grow that starchy shit.

[AutobahnSHO]

Iowa gets fuckin' $2.2 billion in subsidies to grow that starchy shit.

criminal.

[WookieOnRitalin]

I read a USA Today column on the water situation out west. Seems as though the drought has crushed the agriculture demands of the area and that is what is perpetuating the drying up of the land (apparently sink holes are happening more and more). Farmers are digging deeper and deeper wells and depleting the wells that are already in place just to get water to their crops. It is also especially hurting smaller, independently owned farms because to put in another well is around 100k. It's money they don't have and a lot of them are getting by on not using water on the home front by not bathing among other things.

I do believe we take water for granted, but I also believe that putting farms in the middle of places where drought is a real threat is negligence. You are taking a bet and when drought happens, you lose and you lose bad.

[AutobahnSHO]

Crazy. But the weather is too cold other places. My parents in Wyoming have their tomatoes and corn and cherry bushes freeze every other year at least. Those are the hardiest plants they can find.

[SJ_GTI]

I paid my municipal utility bill last night (water, sewer, trash, and electricity).

I noticed in the water section that there is a minimum billed amount of 10,000 gallons (monthly bill), which is about 10 times as much as I actually used. I would guess a family of 4-5 might use more and my usage might go up in the summer (washing my car, may water the lawn occasionally), but 10,000 gallons minimum usage. 

If/when water actually became scarce I would imagine the first step would be to simply bill people on their actual usage (at a higher rate) rather than some ridiculously high minimum. This will have a much bigger impact on water conservation than anything else IMHO.

[AutobahnSHO]

I paid my municipal utility bill last night (water, sewer, trash, and electricity).

I noticed in the water section that there is a minimum billed amount of 10,000 gallons (monthly bill), which is about 10 times as much as I actually used. I would guess a family of 4-5 might use more and my usage might go up in the summer (washing my car, may water the lawn occasionally), but 10,000 gallons minimum usage. 

If/when water actually became scarce I would imagine the first step would be to simply bill people on their actual usage (at a higher rate) rather than some ridiculously high minimum. This will have a much bigger impact on water conservation than anything else IMHO.

Agree.  My waterbill was the exact same every month (within a dollar or so) for 2 years, even if I was the only one living there for the month vs. 5 people.