Ask HN: What would you do with a personal megawatt? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What would you do with a personal megawatt?

1 pointmikewarot6 comments

Imagine a small magic box that could supply a full megawatt of electric power 24x7x365 with no fuel requirements.

What would you do with it?

I would try to convert that electric power into political power the same way terrorist organizations do, by exploiting existing socio-economic disparity. I would get that ball rolling by building a self-sustaining community, sort of like a cult. I would present it as an utopia, and would try to manipulate millions through social media with promises of a better world. I would keep capturing hearts and minds, exploiting people's need for meaning and stability. Sooner or later I would emerge as a political leader, and once I'm elected I would go after the opposition and the industry leaders, offering those who are strategically important a part to play in my utopia, but would dispose of everyone else, using the chaos which I would keep creating as cover. Finally I would emerge as the one restoring order. I would keep people busy, making their lives feel meaningful and impactful, as if they are working toward an important goal, which requires sacrifice, belief, and eternal vigilance against the enemy.

Or I would use it to power a nice house in the mountains, and spend the rest of my life gardening, writing and playing with my dog Blondi.

Either one of these.

My monthly energy needs is probably around 750kwh. Effectively you're giving me my monthly energy needs every hour.

So you have to think big.

My obvious go-to. Giant robot. 20-50 metres tall. Tremendously powerful. I suspect we aren't going to be fighting any kaiju. Instead it's going to be able to travel the country side able to move large rocks for farmers. Cut down forests trivially. Be available to help in whatever way.

I would put one in every vehicle including tractors, excavators, skid steers, trucks, cars. Every house gets one. We would have a grid that allows sharing the power in the event Earth is invaded, they would collectively power a giant ion canon in each town [1]. Asteroid defense system.

[1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X3Hv1YLhG8 [video]

I'd investigate the heck out of lifters, a technology that translates high voltage DC power to lift, and built myself a large craft to fly around in, and find out once and for all if they actually work in vacuum. If so, then it's on to build a moonbase!

Also, refining aluminum from the dirt in my back yard might be interesting.

Also, I'd power the house and do the usual things.

Power my neighbors and friends to help lower their burden

Do everything I can do help others pay less for electricity

Mine cryptocurrency.

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