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MEGA Conference Realignment and lawsuits Megathread: Stories, Tales, Lies, and Exaggerations
- Thread starter OrangeBowlMagic
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Call me crazy but this feels like a heck of a conference to watch both in football and basketball.
1. Miami
2. FSU
3. Clemson
4. UNC
5. Louisville
6. GT
7. VA Tech
8. One of the Arizona schools
9. Baylor/TT/Houston/TCU/SMU
10. WVU
11. Utah
12. Oklahoma State
13. Kansas
14. Colorado
15. Cincinnati
16. Iowa State
Gets you a ton of markets, some of the basketball bluebloods, and in my opinion some very intriguing potential football matchups that would draw significant tv coverage.
I would gladly trade playing Duke/Syracuse/WF/Stanford for WVU/Utah/Oklahoma State/Colorado. It's a pipe dream but it would be a fun league.
Problem is it will be games exclusively in streaming apps and '0' on ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX national broadcasts.
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Real leverage pushing up against the deadline? Does Miami or UNC have any evidence to provide that is different from what FSU and Clemson have provided already? Or are you just hoping there is? My guess is the latter.
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I've been around this thread so long I remember the days you used to worship at the Genetics altar.
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When analyzing energy options—coal, nuclear, solar, wind, and others—there are several key criteria to evaluate: safety, efficiency, sustainability, and environmental impact. These factors help determine the overall viability of an energy source for meeting the world’s growing energy demands while minimizing harm to the planet and human health. Below is a detailed analysis of the different options.
1.
Safety
Coal mining and burning have serious safety concerns. Mining can be dangerous, with risks of cave-ins, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and black lung disease among miners. Burning coal produces harmful particulate matter, which contributes to air pollution and respiratory problems. Furthermore, the storage and management of coal waste (such as ash) can lead to toxic spills, harming local ecosystems.Efficiency
Coal is relatively efficient in terms of energy output per unit of fuel, but it has high operational costs, especially when factoring in the need for pollution control and carbon capture. It is less efficient than natural gas, but historically, it has been a cheaper option for electricity generation due to low fuel costs.Sustainability
Coal is not a sustainable energy source. It is a finite fossil fuel, and its extraction causes long-term environmental degradation. The carbon emissions from coal combustion are among the highest of any energy source, significantly contributing to climate change.Environmental Impact
Coal has the highest environmental impact of any energy source. It emits large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, which all contribute to air pollution, acid rain, and climate change. Additionally, coal mining leads to habitat destruction, water contamination, and significant land degradation.2.
Safety
Nuclear power is one of the safest sources of energy in terms of direct fatalities, but it is fraught with risks related to accidents and radiation exposure. High-profile accidents such as Chernobyl and ***ushima have heightened concerns about nuclear safety. However, modern reactor designs have significantly improved safety features, making the likelihood of a catastrophic event much lower than in the past.Efficiency
Nuclear power plants are highly efficient in terms of energy output. A small amount of nuclear fuel can produce a large amount of energy, and nuclear reactors have high capacity factors (the ratio of actual output to maximum possible output). This makes nuclear a reliable source of base-load power.Sustainability
Nuclear power is considered a low-carbon energy source. It does not produce carbon emissions during operation, making it more sustainable than fossil fuels. However, nuclear energy is not fully sustainable due to the limited supply of uranium and the challenges associated with waste disposal and reactor decommissioning. Additionally, nuclear waste remains hazardous for thousands of years.Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of nuclear power is relatively low during operation, with no air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. However, the mining of uranium, the risk of radioactive contamination from accidents, and the long-term storage of nuclear waste present significant environmental concerns. The construction of nuclear plants also requires large amounts of concrete and steel, which contributes to carbon emissions.3.
Safety
Solar power is one of the safest energy sources available. There are no major risks related to safety during its operation, aside from the possibility of electrical hazards during installation or maintenance. Solar panels and systems generally have a low risk of accidents and have a proven track record of being safe for consumers and workers.Efficiency
While solar energy technology has improved significantly over the past few decades, its efficiency remains lower compared to fossil fuels and nuclear. Typical solar panels have an efficiency range of 15-22%, meaning they convert a fraction of the sunlight into usable electricity. Solar power generation is also intermittent, requiring energy storage systems or backup generation for times when sunlight is not available.Sustainability
Solar energy is highly sustainable, as the sun’s energy is virtually limitless and renewable. Solar panels have a relatively low environmental impact in terms of resources needed to produce them. However, manufacturing solar panels involves mining and the use of rare materials like silicon and lithium, which can have an environmental footprint. Solar power systems also have a lifespan of about 25-30 years, after which recycling becomes important.Environmental Impact
Solar power has a very low environmental impact compared to fossil fuels. It generates no emissions or air pollution during operation. However, the production of solar panels does involve some energy use and emissions, particularly during the mining of raw materials and manufacturing processes. Despite this, solar is still one of the most environmentally friendly options available.4.
Safety
Wind energy is also a very safe energy source. Wind turbines pose minimal safety risks, though there have been some concerns over turbine failure, as well as safety during installation and maintenance. The primary risks are associated with high-altitude work, but wind energy generally has a strong safety record.Efficiency
Wind turbines are generally less efficient than nuclear and coal plants in terms of energy density, but they are highly efficient at converting wind energy into electricity. Wind energy is also intermittent, which means it requires energy storage or supplementary generation (e.g., from natural gas or battery storage) to ensure a reliable power supply.Sustainability
Wind energy is extremely sustainable. It harnesses the natural power of wind, which is abundant and renewable. Wind turbines have long lifespans (20-25 years), and their environmental footprint during operation is minimal. However, turbine production does require the mining of materials like steel and rare earth metals, which has some environmental impact.Environmental Impact
Wind energy has very low environmental impact in terms of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, wind farms can impact local wildlife, particularly bird and bat populations, although technological advancements are minimizing these risks. Additionally, the visual impact and the space required for large wind farms can raise aesthetic concerns.5.
Safety
Natural gas is generally considered a safe energy source, but it does carry the risk of explosions, leaks, and fire hazards, especially during extraction and transport. Methane leaks can contribute to environmental and health hazards.Efficiency
Natural gas is highly efficient in converting fuel into electricity, often more so than coal. Combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGT) can reach efficiencies above 60%, making it one of the most efficient fossil fuels. Natural gas plants are also flexible, able to adjust quickly to fluctuations in energy demand.Sustainability
While natural gas is a fossil fuel, it emits significantly less CO2 than coal and oil. However, it is still not a sustainable option in the long term, as it is finite and contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions.Environmental Impact
Natural gas has a lower environmental impact compared to coal, but it still contributes to climate change. Methane leaks during extraction and transportation are a concern, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas. However, natural gas is cleaner than coal in terms of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.Conclusion:
- Safety: Solar and wind energy are the safest, with minimal operational hazards. Nuclear, while safe in terms of direct fatalities, involves greater risks in the event of an accident.
- Efficiency: Nuclear and natural gas are the most efficient in terms of energy density, but solar and wind have much lower efficiency, though advances in storage may help mitigate this.
- Sustainability: Solar and wind are the most sustainable, being renewable and abundant, with no fuel costs and minimal environmental impact. Nuclear is sustainable but has issues with waste and uranium supply. Coal and natural gas are not sustainable long-term.
- Environmental Impact: Solar and wind have the least environmental impact. Nuclear has low emissions during operation but faces long-term waste management issues. Coal and natural gas have significant environmental drawbacks, especially in terms of emissions.
NorthernVirginiaCane
Sophomore
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- Jul 21, 2019
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They have more revenue. But they haven't been competitive. They haven't receuit
Financially. But what else? They don't win. They have no rivalries. They don't recruit. The point of being a sports fan is not to have your athletic department with a healthy balance sheet. It's to win, have fun tailgates and keep up with your teams.
I grew up in md, a big terps fan, and their home football games now are sad. Nothing but OSU, Penn state, Michigan etc fans. Basketball is a bit better but it's not like the old Duke, UVA and UNC rivalries.
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