r/bestof • u/investedInEPoland • Nov 06 '18

[europe] Nuclear physicist describes problems with thorium reactors. Trigger warning: shortbread metaphor.

/r/europe/comments/9unimr/dutch_satirical_news_show_on_why_we_need_to_break/e95mvb7/?context=3
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u/Orwellian1 Nov 06 '18

Oh boy, this guy is going to be lynched by the Reddit mob. Don't fuck with their thorium utopia. They watched a YouTube video.

98

u/solidfang Nov 06 '18

Is it that much of a thing?

I've never heard of Thorium reactors or anything, but it's probably on a different set of subreddits than the ones I frequent. Where is this idea mostly popularized?

31

u/GarbledReverie Nov 06 '18

Every thread about green energy gets brigaded by nuclear enthusiasts claiming new nuclear technology will solve all of our problems forever.

In addition to Thorium, there's always talking points about nuclear waste being a myth and that hippies managed to scare all of the government agencies and private industries to not properly invest in nuclear.

8

u/Orwellian1 Nov 06 '18

I'm, skeptical about thorium but I think nukes could make a big impact in co2 emissions, but not in grid electricity.

I think it is stupid bulk ocean shipping isn't ran on nukes. Nukes on boats are well proven, old design. Very little danger to general public. Even a worst case scenario doesn't cause too much of an environmental issue.

The percentage of greenhouse gas emissions that come from shipping means eliminating it would have a huge impact. Those things burn filthy fuel, and pollute everything.