Posted by Derek Green (64.2.112.131) on June 07, 2002 at 13:59:44:
In Reply to: So, what's it worth? posted by Adam on June 04, 2002 at 21:52:22:
: And just what IS the going rate for a perpetual motion machine? And who would want it?
To answer who would want it is dependent on it's ability to be used for a particular application. The first thought of use for a perpetual motion machine in my mind is to use it as a generator for electricity. If it's cheap enough for own the "generator", wouldn't you want to own one in your back yard and never need to pay an electric bill again. Other uses that would be major uses aside from generatoring electricity are all based on kinetic energy. Such as transportation (car, planes, boats). Also using it as a pump, to move water, or convert salt water to fresh water. When you think about it, EVERYTHING requires some form of energy to do something. So, if a machine is pratical/affordable, everyone will want it.
As far as the price (affordable), I think that is a difficult question to answer. First, a perpetual motion machine needs to be made. Just in this small corner of the web, I'm surprised to find so many people working on something that is considered impossible. I myself don't think it is impossible. Although, definitions might have to be changed and theories might have to be broken or rewritten. For instance, if you are to borrow energy from another dimension to create an over-unity machine in this dimension. Does that cause problems with the law of conservation? Do these laws apply to multi-universal enviroments? The reason I don't think it is impossible is that many of our fundemental understanding of Gravity and Magnetics are still considered "phenomenon". We understand the "effects" of gravity and magnetics. We can calculate what to expect from these phenomenon down to the smallest detail, but we still don't understand how they work. What medium does gravity use (is it a wave or partical)? There are alot of experiments going on trying to resolve these questions. Such as the Cassini probe on it's way to Saturn conducting gravity wave experiments. Until those answers are well defined, gravity and magnetics still have the ability to cause problems in current theories, meaning that current theories or laws might be slightly wrong.
But even in the event a machine is built, it also depends on the practicality of taking energy from it to apply to a function.
If the machine is scalable, cheap to build, and easy to produce, then it certainly would be valuable and the price would need to compete with machines doing the same level of work. Much like how Fuel Cell generator's are going to be competing in the near future for replacements to ICE (internal combustion engines) and against other forms of green energy (like Solar, Wind, and Wave). Even though Green energy is existing, it's not widely used because of the dependency of the environment and the cost of building it/maintaining it. However, in some places, it is greatly more practical to use alternative machines. Such as solar panels used for remote traffic lights, or wind mills as water pumps in the middle of a cow pasture, etc...
How the machine is applicable is also of concern. What enviroments can it work in? (micro-gravity, underwater) Is it mobile or is it fixed in place? How delicate is the machine?
I myself have 3 distinct models that "might" be perpetual (in terms of over-unity). One model that was reviewed by Oystein Rustad I plan to post in here shortly. Perhaps they are stupid models that do nothing, but think how crappy the world would be if the inventor of the wheel stopped upon creating an oval and decided it was impossible.
So, pricing is subjective to scalability, practicality, applicability, and competitive alternatives.
The question I have raised during heavy beer drinking is more philosophical in nature. Please drink a beer and discuss....
"What are the consequences of developing a cheap over-unity machine for the world?" (that is highly scalable, practical and applicable to many applications)
To get you going: What would this do to the economy of different countries? What happens to third world countries?