Comments on: Want

By: Self-Driving Cars | Cosmic Variance

Self-Driving Cars | Cosmic Variance — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:25:26 +0000

[...] flying cars and jetpacks, I’m likewise pessimistic (at least sometimes). But those sexbots are on the way. And they’ll be arriving in self-driving [...]

By: Lawrence B. Crowell

Lawrence B. Crowell — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:07:41 +0000

This is not exactly recommended in our age of energy peakouts and environmental issues such as global warming.

There are a number of technologies which appear to have not entered the domain of practicality. Jet packs, hover cars, vacations on the moon and so forth appear to be related to tailfins on Cadillacs.

Lawrence B. Crowell

By: Albatross

Albatross — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:51:15 +0000

The Gossamer Albatross

No relation.

To quote SNL’s Seth Meyers regarding the jetpack,
“Someday everybody will die this way.”

By: Celestial Toymaker

Celestial Toymaker — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:47:32 +0000

For those worried about the Co2 emissions of the jet pack:
it’s worth remembering that someone has already pedalled the Channel.
They took 2 hours 29 minutes.

The Gossamer Albatross

By: St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:10:44 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx3DtXyEqrE

By: Sili

Sili — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:25:15 +0000

But think of the emissions!!!

By: Bruce the Canuck

Bruce the Canuck — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:14:31 +0000

There’s better. “Visa” in Finland put on his “birdman” skydiving wing-suit, strapped model airplane jet engines to his boots, stuffed a hot-water bottle full of kerosene into his jumpsuit, and launched off a hot air balloon. Much more birdlike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ7zbta79vo

“I like to fly”…”Dis id vinland. Very rough country. I just saying, in dis vether if you land inna water you gonna die, they take you home in a rubber bag”

By: Dave Weeden

Dave Weeden — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:53:18 +0000

There was a very bizarre interview with him on Radio 4′s “PM” (a news magazine programme broadcast at 5:00 here), but the web version link probably isn’t available in the US. Poor guy was asked who he was more like, someone I’ve forgotten, or Buzz Lightyear. He went for Buzz Lightyear. “So would your motto be, ‘To infinity and beyond’?” “Yes, yes, eet ees a good motto, I sink.” Palinesque, but the reporter was an idiot, English wasn’t his first language, he’d just flown across the Channel, and he’s not running for President. He seemed like a very agreeable and obliging guy. I’m sure the adrenaline wears off, but until it does, I think you’d be anyone’s.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:44:59 +0000

John McCain’s rescue of the US financial system would have been more impressive had he swooped down on Capitol Hill in a jetpack.

By: Jennifer Ouellette

Jennifer Ouellette — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:29:16 +0000

CV readers should feel free to send blank checks and money orders to me, personally, after which I will purchase Sean’s birthday present. You can trust me; would I lie to you?