SInce we’re talking climate change I think we should bring back airships for short-haul flights. The fact it floats with little effort means less fuel is needed.

  • Free PalestineA
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    911 months ago

    what’s the point when trucks already exist, and water-based fuel & electrification are just over the horizon?

    • @201dberg
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      911 months ago

      Not to mention for safety reasons these ships would need to use helium and we kind of need to preserve as much of that as we can. It’s a non-renewable resource and we need it for lots of science and tech purposes. The fact we still use it for balloons and shit it’s mind boggling.

      • @sparkingcircuit
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        11 months ago

        Most rational capitalist economy:

        Using 8.5 million cubic meters of an extremely rare, nonrenewable, resource a year, that is otherwise needed for scientific development, semiconductor manufacturing, welding, and medicine for Lifting Fucking Balloons!

        source

        • @redtea
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          311 months ago

          How else could we make things fun at birthday parties for children and people reaching the ages of 16, 18, 21, 40, and 60? Don’t you think these rare life achievements deserve celebrating in the fullest way possible? It’s not every day that people simply wake up one day older than they were the day before. What do we really need fridges for, anyway? We could always just put food in cans and salt instead if the woke left stopped pushing their agenda.

          • @sparkingcircuit
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            211 months ago

            Filling party balloons with hydrogen world be significantly safer than airships, all without expending a rare resource. Even if you put a flame to one, the (tiny) blast would be anything but lethal. Worst case, some mild burns.

            • @redtea
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              211 months ago

              This sounds far more fun, tbh. Just be sure to warn Uncle Dennis not to stand too close if he’s hairsprayed his quiff.

              • @sparkingcircuit
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                211 months ago

                Instead of blowing out birthday candles, one need only torch their balloons for a little extra fun!

        • @201dberg
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          211 months ago

          It’s fucking depressing.

    • JoeMarx 193OP
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      511 months ago

      Again, short haul flights (like between provinces)

      • Free PalestineA
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        911 months ago

        if you want to focus specifically on flights the answer doesn’t really change. Suitable aircraft already exist, and alternative power is just over the horizon.

        but if you want an argument for why blimps (or similar aircraft) aren’t great for transport, they require a lot of material to counteract the mass of their load and travel around 50mph as their top speed. If the distance you wanted to transport something was short and accessible by land, you’d be better off putting it on a truck. The only major advantage that airships have over other aircraft is lower immissions paired with helicopter-like performance. But once EV helicopters become more of a thing, that advantage goes away.

        • Bloops
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          11 months ago

          For transportation there may be a niche for deliveries to the middle of nowhere Siberia or Canada that electric aerodynes can’t fill well.