The Future of Energy: Why Renewables Outperform Nuclear Power
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? General In the News Politics & Opinion

The Future of Energy: Why Renewables Outperform Nuclear Power

As the world transitions toward sustainable energy, the debate between nuclear power and renewables intensifies. While nuclear has long been seen as a stable energy source, the financial reality tells a different story. Massive costs, long construction times, and rigid infrastructure make nuclear power a poor investment compared to the rapidly advancing wind and solar industries. Hinkley Point C, the UK’s newest nuclear project, will cost up to €300 billion over 60 years when including operational, fuel, and waste disposal costs. In contrast, a fully renewable alternative using 10 GW of offshore wind, 10 GW of solar, and 100 GWh of battery storage could provide the same energy for just €60 billion—a fraction of nuclear’s cost. Nuclear power is also not a growing trend. The number of newly built reactors barely keeps up with decommissioned ones. Even France, one of the most nuclear-reliant nations, now considers it a financial disaster due to rising maintenance costs and outdated infrastructure. Renewables are flexible, scalable, and decentralized—offering a future-proof energy solution. With advancements in storage, electric vehicles, and smart grids, the transition to renewables is not only feasible but the most cost-effective choice for the future.
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? In the News Politics & Opinion Science Matters

What if I’m wrong?

It seems that, no matter what you write on the internet, what opinion you have, you always end up in a discussion. Which is not necessarily a bad thing - I like good discussions and they can help you to better understand a certain topic or the others' point of view. Many topics though are not tangible - are based on assumptions and a certain likelihood. Two recently discussed big topics and good examples are Climate Change and COVID-19 actions. No one can tell for sure how Climate Change will happen, how quickly it will happen, how it will affect…
Posted inIn the News Politics & Opinion

List of all arguments against a general speed limit

As the discussion is currently ongoing in Germany, and I am a petrol head, I have decided to put down a list of all arguments against a general speed limit on German Autobahn. The official number of speed limited Autobahn is about 33% - realistically this is about 45% if you include temporary limits because of weather, road work, etc. - if you even include all regional roads, only 3% of all roads in Germany are unlimited. (source of numbers). Also, the German road traffic laws say that you have always drive in a way that is safe for everyone…
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? In the News The Homeopathy Myth

Dear parents, you’re being lied to

As a geek without kids (so far), I sometimes stumble across the phenomenon in my circle of friends that some parents refuse to vaccinate their children. Honestly, I’ve never understood why—and to be fair, I never really looked deeply into it. To my surprise, it seems to be far more common than I thought. I grew up in a family and environment where getting vaccinated was simply normal. Not long ago, diseases like mumps, measles, or rubella would flare up into epidemics and claim hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. Only through vaccination were we able to bring them under…
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? In the News Online & Digital Politics & Opinion

The BND Espionage Affair: When “Friends” Spy on Each Other

As if Edward Snowden’s revelations about large-scale NSA surveillance in Europe and Germany, and the tapping of Angela Merkel’s mobile phone, had not already been enough, the U.S. spying scandal has entered its next chapter—despite all denials from the NSA and CIA. To summarize what happened: last week a BND employee was arrested. He is accused of having sold 218 confidential BND documents over the past two years to the CIA for a total of about €25,000. The man worked in the department “Areas of Operation/Foreign Relations” and was apparently responsible for archiving documents. In that role, of course, he had access…
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? In the News Science Matters

Misleading Graphics and the Fukushima Panic

Isn’t this graphic alarming? It’s been circulating dozens of times across social media, often used in YouTube videos as “proof” for bold claims and conspiracy theories. At first glance, it does look terrifying—the blue trail stretches across the Pacific toward Japan, supposedly originating from Fukushima. What makes the graphic appear credible is the NOAA logo (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), suggesting that it comes from an authoritative U.S. government source. But let’s pause for a moment. The first red flag is the scale on the right-hand side, which is labeled in centimeters (cm). What do centimeters have to do with radiation? The…
Posted inIn the News Online & Digital Politics & Opinion

Why the Pirate Party Still Matters

I usually don’t like to write anything that sounds like electioneering—but in this case, I will. For the Pirate Party. In my view, the Pirate Party is important for Germany and for its political landscape. Of course, in its current state it isn’t ready to govern a country. But especially the Berlin state faction has shown that the party can make an important contribution in parliament—and, in my opinion, also in the Bundestag. What sets them apart is their different mindset, their unconventional approach, and yes, sometimes even their lack of experience. The Pirates look at issues from a perspective that…
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? In the News Online & Digital Politics & Opinion

Dear Telekom, You’re Just a Cable

I’ve borrowed this headline from Timo Hetzel (Bits und So / Undsoversum / Blog) because I find it so fitting. Many so-called providers still haven’t understood that at the end of the day, they are nothing more than a cable. A copper cable, a fiber optic cable, or a wireless connection — but still just a cable. They connect us with one another, through telephone lines or the internet. But for years, these providers have been trying to be more than just the pipe through which the bits flow. They want to upsell us with “value-added services.” Sometimes with a bit of…
Posted inCan We Talk About This Please? In the News Politics & Opinion

Marriage, Equality, and What Really Deserves State Support

Right now, the media is full of heated debates about whether same-sex marriages should be given the same legal recognition as “traditional” marriages. The discussion isn’t just about symbolism—it’s about practical matters too: tax advantages, legal protections, and social rights such as adoption. As someone who is deeply interested in this topic, though not eligible to vote in Germany myself, I’ve been thinking a lot about what lies at the core of the issue. To ground my thoughts, I went straight to the source: Article 6 of the German Constitution (Grundgesetz). It says: Marriage and family enjoy the special protection of…
Posted inIn the News On the Screen Politics & Opinion

Mon dieu, monsieur Depardieu!

In recent days, it’s been all over the news: Gérard Depardieu is becoming Russian. He’s doing it publicly, with maximum media attention, deliberately snubbing the Grande Nation—and, to be honest, me as well. Personally, I’ve never cared much for Depardieu. I don’t particularly like his films, and I like him even less as a person. Too many times, he has made negative headlines with questionable behavior. My gut feeling has always been that he’s an unpleasant man—and the way he’s leaving France only confirms it. The “Millionaire Tax” Depardieu’s move is meant as a protest against the so-called “millionaire tax”—a 75% top rate for…