A double dose of dorkery

Eco-tech stuff

Posted by David Roberts at 10:59 AM on 08 Dec 2006

Read more about: tech | innovation | green products | energy | energy efficiency

In one of my other lives, I'm a bit of a tech/computer/gadget geek, though by the high standards of online dorkdom, a mere amateur. Those interests don't overlap with my gristmillian preoccupations all that often -- but today, twice:

First, an amusing post on ForeignPolicy.com reveals that the avatars used in MMORPGs use as much energy -- in hardware and server cycles -- as the typical Brazilian. (If the preceding sentence means nothing to you, well, perhaps it's time to go outside and shout at the kids to get off your lawn.)

Second, ecogeek draws our attention to a truly drool-worthy new piece of hardware: the LG Ebook, which just won a Red Dot Award for design. Its display uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), which use much less energy than today's LCD monitors. And it's powered by methyl alcohol rather than lithium-ion batteries; the alcohol is stored in a blue-tinted cylinder that also serves as the hinge. Have a look:

LG Ebook

It's just a concept machine for now, and would probably cost a kajillion dollars if sold on the open market. But it's a nice glimpse of what's coming down the computer pike.

For story: A double dose of dorkery
2 Comments | Post a Comment

Eh? What was that?

"If the preceding sentence means nothing to you, well, perhaps it's time to go outside and shout at the kids to get off your lawn."

Damn, Dave. That was harsh. And I was just mistaken for an undergraduate the other day.

And furthermore, I hope to never have a lawn.

by mihan at 11:06 AM on 12 Dec 2006

Oh, that is just David

There is no denying, the lad does have high standards, and a sharp tongue with which to defend them. I am still stunned by his recent reference to the discussions of animal welfare as "a circle jerk" -- incredibly, he is annoyed that there is not enough discussion of energy in Gristmill!

Anyway, yes, the LG Ebook is very cool. "Efficiency is the new black," as one or another Grist writer put it. That blue container for the methyl alcohol is quite pretty.

It should not be surprising if more such innovations come along, designing computers to use less energy and to use alternative power sources. Is it Bill Gates, or some other philanthropist, who distributes to people in poor countries lap tops that are charged up with a hand crank?

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 1:34 PM on 12 Dec 2006

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