There Is No Free Energy

摘要

The title of this column is taken from a Biblical proverb. Like many other proverbs, it may have seemed true in the days when it was formulated. During long periods nothing new ever seemed to happen. Of course, it is an obvious falsehood when one considers facts, or else it may refer only to human nature, as some seem to think. On a broader basis, however, what is the story of creation but an enumeration of a series of events, each of which was something brand new? In the history of humanity alone, monumental changes have taken place, e.g., in housing, the use of tools, introduction of agriculture, control of fire and explosives, etc. It all happened so gradually that for long periods the status quo seemed to have existed forever and be unchanging.