I don’t care all that much about the flight. I mean, it’s interesting and I took the time to read an article and check out some photos on the Net. But the flight itself isn’t what caught my fancy. For me, it’s all about the technology involved.
The strong, lightweight materials, the highly (by current
standards) efficient solar cells, the finely tuned motors and propellers, all
speak to solutions. Solutions tied to getting the most output from the least
input.
All over the world, there are people living without power
and power is key. Power can convert brackish water to potable, cold to warm or
vice versa, immediate consumption food to storable. And in order to feed and
clothe and shelter those people, we need to find solutions that are efficient,
resource cost-effective and locally deployable.
We use a LOT of power in this country and often for some
pretty frivolous pursuits, as compared to the subsistence needs of people
living where power is scarce. I’m not slapping ‘us’ for our power use but I am thrilled
at some of the emerging technologies designed to make ever more effective use
of the power at hand. Especially power that’s free for the asking and
essentially inexhaustible.
Wars are fought over power and will continue to be, so long
as we base our economies on power sources that are both non-renewable and
unevenly distributed geographically.
Power is key to development and in a larger sense, to social
equity. Wider use of inexhaustible resources such as solar power and efficiency
in the use of other resources (Google “rocket stove”) hold out the promise of a
leveling of the playing field such as the world has never seen before.
So, while I don’t care all that much about the flight or who
flew the plane, I am thrilled and fascinated and yes, reassured by the interest
and energy flowing in the direction of these worthy technological pursuits. 
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