The end of back yard astronomy - as we know it

[Allan_L]

I heard this recently, not sure where, but it sounded authoritative.

In an attempt to save on power generation increased demand, and as an alternative to building new infrastructure, scientists are developing genetically modified trees that will produce their own luminescence at night.

The plan is that if all the trees are luminescent, they can do away with street lights !

Can you imagine, every tree emiting its own personal light pollution!

Please Lord, save us from the do-gooders!

[Outbackmanyep]

What idiot thought this up?

[pgc hunter]

10 bucks says it's Bob Brown. Only him and his frootloop party would be capable of even thinking of something so messed up.

What a puke of an idea :mad2:

[SkyViking]

What a silly idea, and probably blown out of proportions by the media as usual. Apart from the light pollution issue, what about nocturnal wildlife for example?

[AstralTraveller]

Bob Brown is about the only pollie I still have any respect for.

[jjjnettie]

Pandora on Earth.

[pmrid]

In our genetically modified future, perhaps this is a precursor to making people luminescent to avoid traffic accidents and make pedestrians safer.
You get to choose the sex of your child in utero and also get to choose what colour they would be. Bring it on, brave new world.

Peter

[jenchris]

You could get them to flash in a sequence so that they can be recognised by cameras like a bar coding... where's my hubby.com
just pop in his sequence and the camera shows him making out with your neighbour

[Outbackmanyep]

The only trees that should glow are the ones i glimpsed in ET!

[OICURMT]

If my grass glows a very dull red, at least I wouldn't trip so much over my cables :P

[Analog6]

The Koreans already made glow in the dark animals, so it's hardly surprising.

[Robert9]

Can't you imagine what comes next? Luminous landing strips for flying pigs!

[astronut]

:screwy::screwy::screwy::screwy:

Please don't start me on Bob Brown....:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[telemarker]

What wavelength so I can corner the market in LPS filters. :D

[pgc hunter]

lol he's a great source of astonishment and entertainment isn't he

he also looks like a fossilized version of hitler....coincidence...nah

[alexch]

It's not all bad:

http://news.discovery.com/tech/glowing-trees-to-replace-glowing-lights.html

Not only they need "excited" gold nano-particles but the trees would glow RED!!!

As I understand, the trees are not genetically modified, but are implanted with gold nano-particles. I don't think the trees will be made luminescent everywhere, as gold nano-particles wouldn't be exactly cheap, but if all street lights are replaced with trees glowing red - I am all for it (even though I might be 123 years old then with Mallincam eyes)!

Alex

[OICURMT]

http://www.ideaconnection.com/innovation-in-business/Genetically-Engineered-Glowing-Tadpoles-Detect-Pollut-00112.html

[PeterM]

It has already started! This month big time, trees everywhere in streets, in houses (even on houses) and in shops lit up by strange modified lights!
PeterM.

[TrevorW]

Note: why not just turn the bloody things off at night ????

Oh that would be too smart, now , would it not

[Jen]

Well at least we wouldnt have to decorate the xmas trees :rofl::rofl:

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Personally I favour injecting teenagers with GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein). That way they couldn't sneak around at night and their fingerprints would show up when they nicked cash from your wallet.

[Ric]

I reckon "glow in the dark" kangaroos would be a bonus out my way.

That way I can see the beggars when they hop out onto the road.

[Allan_L]

LOL :lol: But RED glow preferably

[Ric]

Of course Allan :D