Birds are bursting into flames over the Mojave Desert – and here’s why

originally posted by: leolady
a reply to: Lady_Tuatha

What about the bugs ? Are they being scorched too ? Or are they protected from bursting into flames due to their exoskeleton ?

leolady

That's what I was thinking too. Why do the birds burst into flames but the bugs they are chasing don't??

a reply to: Lady_Tuatha

While it's certainly a concern, and I feel bad for the poor birds, I'm more concerned about the pilots being blinded as they take off and land in CA and Las Vegas.

I mean, giant mirrors reflecting back toward the sky?

If ordinary citizens get felony charges for lasers directed at pilots, why does Google or whoever get a pass for doing the same thing? Oh, because they're corporate. They're providing a "service," they have contacts and multibillion dollar contracts, that's why.

But wow, birds catching on fire? I've read about this before.

Damn wish it was a hoax for the birds sake, not to dismiss anyone sharing info! I hope a solution can come about to stop it from happening to them. Maybe keep them out of the area with noise devices / "pigeon repellents"? Though sadly I am sure it's not a top priority.

originally posted by: TheLaughingGod
a reply to: eNumbra

I care less about humanity than I do about the birds, and 1 bird actually frying in the air every 2 minutes is not my cup of tea.

You'll note I said everything in existence, because that's what most global warming doomsday porn portends. Catastrophic climactic shift will kill more than just humans, it will also kill all those sweet lovable woodland creatures you adore.

originally posted by: Liquesence
a reply to: Lady_Tuatha
If ordinary citizens get felony charges for lasers directed at pilots, why does Google or whoever get a pass for doing the same thing? Oh, because they're corporate. They're providing a "service," they have contacts and multibillion dollar contracts, that's why.

Actually its because the mirrors deflect the sunlight at a focal point on the tower at the center of the complex. They're not being pointed at planes.

a reply to: mOjOm

Maybe the bugs don't because of their exoskeleton or size. Or maybe they just didn't care about the bugs or report on them. But if the bugs are bursting into flames as well, this is equally disturbing. Killing off large amounts of bugs can have their own consequences.

Maybe they need to look into making some type of exoskeleton cover for the mirrors ? If the bugs are protected from bursting into flames because of their exoskeleton then maybe using some type of exoskeleton cover on the mirrors will keep the mirrors from having that lethal laser beam effect on zapping the birds.

I dunno ?

What about da bugs... da bugs... da poor poor bugs. :-(

leolady

I dont want to come off as a sick person, but you wouldn't have a video off those birds bursting into flames in mid air.

originally posted by: eNumbra

originally posted by: TheLaughingGod
1 bird every 2 minutes, 28 thousand birds per year, it's not worth it.

Assuming that our current sources of energy are in fact what's ruining the planet, its 28,000 birds a year(until they learn to stay away or someone develops something to drive them away) or everything in existence.


In such a case, I'd say 28,000 birds a year is a bargain.

... Riiiiight up until some of those 28,000 are the last of an endangered species or three.

originally posted by: ketsuko

originally posted by: eNumbra

originally posted by: TheLaughingGod
1 bird every 2 minutes, 28 thousand birds per year, it's not worth it.

Assuming that our current sources of energy are in fact what's ruining the planet, its 28,000 birds a year(until they learn to stay away or someone develops something to drive them away) or everything in existence.


In such a case, I'd say 28,000 birds a year is a bargain.

... Riiiiight up until some of those 28,000 are the last of an endangered species or three.

and that's awfully sad, but let's not let appeals to emotion stand in the way of progress.

a reply to: leolady

I don't see how their exoskeletons would made a difference in this case. Also, I'm not concerned with the bugs being vaporized like the birds. My point was more along the lines of, if the birds burst into flames then I imagine the bugs do too. But if that is the case then there shouldn't be any bugs around for the birds to chase.

I don't know. It all seems a little strange to me. Couldn't they just put up sonic devices to chase away the birds.

double double
post post
sorry sorry

originally posted by: bitsforbytes
I dont want to come off as a sick person, but you wouldn't have a video off those birds bursting into flames in mid air.

Something close anyway.

a reply to: mOjOm

My point was more along the lines of, if the birds burst into flames then I imagine the bugs do too.

But if that is the case then there shouldn't be any bugs around for the birds to chase.

Ooh good point. Hmmmm.

leolady

a reply to: loam

terrible for us that each time we look for an alternative energy solution there's some major drawback.

That is because the problem is not that our energy sources are polluting or dangerous, but that we use too much energy.

Even if our energy use was 100% non-polluting and safe for all living things, the amount of waste heat generated would eventually tip the balance of the climate and cause an environmental catclysm.

There is no avoiding it.

There are too many of us, and — in the rich world, and particularly in America — we use far too much energy.

There is no avoiding the consequences — unless you are willing to live in a world of sailing ships, bicycles and draconian Chinese-style family planning enforced for several generations.

Assuming that our current sources of energy are in fact what's ruining the planet, its 28,000 birds a year(until they learn to stay away or someone develops something to drive them away) or everything in existence.


In such a case, I'd say 28,000 birds a year is a bargain.

... [snip my response] ...

and that's awfully sad, but let's not let appeals to emotion stand in the way of progress.

This is sort of ironic coming from someone who just argued that we should sacrifice species for the sake of saving the planet. If that's not an emotional appeal in and of itself ... I don't know what is. That's it's own little doom porn right there.

originally posted by: ketsuko
This is sort of ironic coming from someone who just argued that we should sacrifice species for the sake of saving the planet. If that's not an emotional appeal in and of itself ... I don't know what is. That's it's own little doom porn right there.

Appeal_to_emotion

Appeal to emotion or argumentum ad passiones is a logical fallacy which uses the manipulation of the recipient's emotions, rather than valid logic, to win an argument.

Read, comprehend, return, apologize.

Japan wants to build a huge solar power plant in space within a decade and beam the electricity back to earth.

www.iflscience.com...

I wonder how many "streamers" that would create.

a reply to: Lady_Tuatha

I almost can't help but laugh, yet it's so damn stupid and tragic. " Clean energy and free food here! Get your precooked bird and light your home at the same time!"

They knew this was going to happen, still the liberal politicians were able to sell this to all the good intentioned, tree huggers, wanting to save the Earth from global warming. Sort of like how they sold us on CFLs. "Yeah there won't be any consequences from exposing us to all that mercury." Who could ever have thought CFLs were going to be a good idea vs the ingenious design of the incandescent lamp, is beyond me.

I'll just keep shaking my head.

originally posted by: Bilk22
a reply to: Lady_Tuatha

I almost can't help but laugh, yet it's so damn stupid and tragic. " Clean energy and free food here! Get your precooked bird and light your home at the same time!"

They knew this was going to happen, still the liberal politicians were able to sell this to all the good intentioned, tree huggers, wanting to save the Earth from global warming. Sort of like how they sold us on CFLs. "Yeah there won't be any consequences from exposing us to all that mercury." Who could ever have thought CFLs were going to be a good idea vs the ingenious design of the incandescent lamp, is beyond me.

I'll just keep shaking my head.

Great idea there Bilk, lets just do a joint venture with KFC we could get power and lunch at the same time. LOL
Just batter the chicken to your selected flavor throw him up into the light stream and viola' lunch. SFC Solar Fried Chicken, for extra crispy throw it up twice.

originally posted by: MarlinGrace

originally posted by: Bilk22
a reply to: Lady_Tuatha

I almost can't help but laugh, yet it's so damn stupid and tragic. " Clean energy and free food here! Get your precooked bird and light your home at the same time!"

They knew this was going to happen, still the liberal politicians were able to sell this to all the good intentioned, tree huggers, wanting to save the Earth from global warming. Sort of like how they sold us on CFLs. "Yeah there won't be any consequences from exposing us to all that mercury." Who could ever have thought CFLs were going to be a good idea vs the ingenious design of the incandescent lamp, is beyond me.

I'll just keep shaking my head.

Great idea there Bilk, lets just do a joint venture with KFC we could get power and lunch at the same time. LOL
Just batter the chicken to your selected flavor throw him up into the light stream and viola' lunch. SFC Solar Fried Chicken, for extra crispy throw it up twice.

Well we already have competition. Harry Reid wants to build these things all over our western deserts.

originally posted by: Bilk22

originally posted by: MarlinGrace

originally posted by: Bilk22
a reply to: Lady_Tuatha

I almost can't help but laugh, yet it's so damn stupid and tragic. " Clean energy and free food here! Get your precooked bird and light your home at the same time!"

They knew this was going to happen, still the liberal politicians were able to sell this to all the good intentioned, tree huggers, wanting to save the Earth from global warming. Sort of like how they sold us on CFLs. "Yeah there won't be any consequences from exposing us to all that mercury." Who could ever have thought CFLs were going to be a good idea vs the ingenious design of the incandescent lamp, is beyond me.

I'll just keep shaking my head.

Great idea there Bilk, lets just do a joint venture with KFC we could get power and lunch at the same time. LOL
Just batter the chicken to your selected flavor throw him up into the light stream and viola' lunch. SFC Solar Fried Chicken, for extra crispy throw it up twice.

Well we already have competition. Harry Reid wants to build these things all over our western deserts.

Ok so we toss Harry Reid up into the light stream I am down with that. But give him a chicken to hold on to first.