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Driving into the future

Driving into the future by kevindooley.
First, I want to say thank you to all of my Flickr friends and wish you a most excellent Friday. I reached 10,000 visits yesterday, in just over 3 months of becoming involved. I do Web 2.0 for my business (e.g. Wonkosphere.com), and Flickr is my social network community of choice.

When we drive between Phoenix and LA on Interstate 10 it's always fun to go by the wind farms in San Gorgonio, California (near Palm Springs, east of Los Angeles). They dominate the landscape for about 5 minutes, and it's kind of other worldly.

I teach Technology Management, and so many of my students have done technology analysis projects concerning wind power. One of the oft-cited drawbacks is that people think they're ugly. Do you agree?

Are modern wind mills ugly?

If so, what could be done to make them more attractive to people?

All of us need to pitch in when it comes to energy, most so those of us in the U.S. We drive into the future together. 

Comments

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The Visions of Kai | New York City says:

Great title + Cool picture = Faved
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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andie.smith  Pro User  says:

cool shot!!!!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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. SantiMB .  Pro User  says:

Great capture! Congrats for the visits!

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Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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the-father  Pro User  says:

wow!

WINNER
You are my winner!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Monster.  Pro User  says:

Great composition.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

elwisty1 (no longer updated) [deleted] says:

Like a techno-forest...

I think it depends on the environment and context whether they're ugly or beautiful. I don't find them particularly beautiful in this landscape - although your shot is great. The terrain looks quite barren!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Harry Halibut  Pro User  says:

No way are these ugly! I get so fed up with people saying these are ugly. These are just fine and there should be thousands more of them.

The metal monsters driving along the road are ugly and out of place in a sustainable environment.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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aviana07 says:

I think what's interesting is the paradoxical situation we find ourselves in-well captured

The World Through My Eyes
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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reiffgladys  Pro User  says:

You are invited to add this exceptional image to
GOLD STAR AWARD (award or invite needed)


please add the tag GoldStarAward
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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FoNgEtZ  Pro User  says:

(4 Aces)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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cnuño  Pro User  says:

great shot!
(4 Aces)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Discoe  Pro User  says:

That's what the world should look like.

(4 Aces)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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~*~...nicole...~*~  Pro User  says:

this is a great shot...they have these windmills in northern california, too...it is surreal, though, huh?
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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crowt59  Pro User  says:

I see a field on photo potential. Another sweet grab!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Ms_congeniality says:

Yep they are ugly. I seen these things when I visited america in 94... it was creepy to see a field of these alien windmill for the first time.
Wonderful composition; manages to drag your eye right into the photo.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Lisa GH  Pro User  says:

First, I really like this shot & the story it tells.

I've always liked the way these windmills look. There's something so approprately stark about them out in the desert. It feels like I'm driving through some sort of science fiction scenario out there. Plus, I really like the sound they make.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Canis Major  Pro User  says:

They do look like some sort of alien invasion a la War of the Words. Good juxtaposition with the cars, they give a great sense of scale.
(4 Aces)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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abitblue  Pro User  says:

Nice shot. Just like Holland :) No one even gives them a second thought here. They make sense- are good to the environment, save money and don't pollute. What could be ugly about that?
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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♥✿Jewellove✿♥  Pro User  says:

This shot is very COOL! Great work.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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andreasnilsson1976  Pro User  says:

Wow, totally surprising to see an energy source over there that isn't based on oil! A great picture!

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Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Marina Castillo-Knuti  Pro User  says:

I remember this place very well. I grew up in Cali, and also lived in Prescott Arizona, this was a frequent sight.

GOLD STAR AWARD (award or invite needed)
You get another gold star

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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lune-atik  Pro User  says:

wow excellent................ love it..........
......... and you have the same cat as mine....... ;-)))

rougerouge's best pet
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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lune-atik  Pro User  says:

something like that....... makes me think to "the invaders"................ old and futurist...........



sorry for manipulated your pic........... (just a try)...... ;-)))
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Hobbyfotograf Jürgen aus Rheinhausen  Pro User  says:

great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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frasp says:

GOLD STAR AWARD (award or invite needed)
You get another gold star

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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obeezy says:

Awesome capture!

From the 1-2-3 (no per day limitations)-group
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

ForzaVale [deleted] says:

Great shot! Used to see them everywhere in south Dakota, too
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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阿德 之 休眠中( In dormancy ) Z Z z says:

breathtaking landscape!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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anakiwa_forever  Pro User  says:

Ok, they arent the most beautiful things around, but as a source of renewable energy, they are hard to beat for minimal damage to the landscape once they are there... I personally think they are kinda cool.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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!architect4!  Pro User  says:

I drive to the desert frequently from LA, I've seen the wind mills many times over the years, first a few dozen of them, now hundreds? I think that they are a modern sculpture installation. As for how to make them more beautiful? Perhaps an artist or landscape Architect could be involved in their installation? Mainly though, I think the public will change their attitude as we come to see them as our salvation from oil, economic warfare and pollution.


I saw this in the 10+ Faves group and Faved it.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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matthaeus_felder says:

Best shot I've seen in a while now.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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BoblyP  Pro User  says:

hehey! i like this
globo-cuore I saw this picture in The BIG ONE...
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr Lix@Milano [deleted] says:

flickr poker
flickrpoker1
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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KRISTÍN JÓNA  Pro User  says:

Yes the future is here.

globo-cuore I saw this picture in The BIG ONE...
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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Aquilant  Pro User  says:

I hate modern windmills but i don't know any remedy to make them more attractive.
This brilliant photo is like a shooting star,
totally inspiring!
shine on...
SHINING☆STAR - Post 1- Invite 1- Give 5 Stars
Thanks for brightening my day, shine on!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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iK@psel says:



Cultural Boxes

I've FAVEd your pic!
Seen in the group
Cultural Boxes .

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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Lynn Park  Pro User  says:

globo-cuore I saw this picture in The BIG ONE...

I always think they're cool--and love the irony of this photo
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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terren in Virginia  Pro User  says:

flickr poker
flickrpoker1
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kenny Maths  Pro User  says:



INDEPENDENT

...your AMAZING pic
makes me feel
INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!!
.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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sunny-drunk  Pro User  says:

great shot...........won't be long before there is one on top of every car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
compliments! this is a


High Creativity Award

Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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Yolande...  Pro User  says:

Great shot!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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melina1965  Pro User  says:

Two worlds is meeting together : old and new energy.
Bravo !

Your Photo Wins a Heart
From Heart Awards Group .
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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vambo25  Pro User  says:


Your Photo Wins a Heart
From Heart Awards Group .
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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frisamusic  Pro User  says:

Great shit and title!

Your Photo Wins a Heart
From Heart Awards Group .
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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j-kurisu  Pro User  says:


Your Photo Wins a Heart
From Heart Awards Group .
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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Jamie McKerral  Pro User  says:


Extraordinary !! Definitely a winner!
and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

,FlickrInvite,
Fl♥ckr Extraordinary Capture Award,

Please Tag your photo with ExCapture


omg is there really a need for so many lol
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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Ekz .  Pro User  says:

Que excelente Foto! esta foto esta nominada
favor de adherirla (What an amazing picture! It has been nominated, please add it)



Solo fotos invitadas (Invite only images)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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LindsayWilliamRoss says:

Hi! We used your photo today on LAist:
laist.com/2008/02/02/winds_of_change.php
thanks!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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melcir.meri says:

This brilliant photo is like a shooting star, splendid!
shine on...
SHINING☆STAR - Post 1- Invite 1- Give 5 Stars
Thanks for brightening my day, shine on!
..
Your awesome image wins my * FAVE star!!! * plus invite to "FIRST - THE EARTH!" Photo-ART EXHIB/+comp. [AWARD+ FAV 2]" group. Please accept our APPRECIATION AWARD as INVITE. Add tag, "first-theearth".
* * A~L~W~A~Y~S * * give a FAVE star when you AWARD + comment!
Empire<br />
Sandy - [c] LeapFrog!
Graphic concept ~

HERE'S TO A SUSTAINABLE 'GREEN' 2008 ~ "YEAR OF PLANET EARTH"!!!
In the global journey to Sustainable living we support life in Harmony with Nature. Be an active F-TE ambassador to help us create an International Foundation. Read our info, and ask me how. Help 're-enchant' the Earth!!! Protect the 'green' scene ... For a big difference, a new 'Earth-dream', promote F-TE Earthcare in your area, via Wind & Solar power ECO-COMMUNITIES, and our future FTE Tallship, to create an optimum Eco-Future for radiant health, via organic Sustainable Living, lifelong learning, and a rich Cultural Heritage. - Mel [Group Admin]
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

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kstoon  Pro User  says:

we have a rather large wind farm east of the BN area in illinois. it goes on and on for many miles along route 9. i think they are kinda cool looking, just wish i could walk up to them and see them up close. (if a security person sees you, they chase you off.) my only concern with these is as they age, will they be kept up. and if they are no longer useful at some point in time, what will happen to them.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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seaotter22  Pro User  says:

They're not ugly they're a symbol for our future. I think of cleanliness, air, and open space when I see them. They are needed.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

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SoCalConnected says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called SoCal Connected Flickr Pool, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Seroujo  Pro User  says:

I think if the wind turbines weren't so crowded up together and more spread across the landscape more, it would be more pleasing to the eye...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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