[js1138]

I would agree that we don't have the technology for a commercial space elevator just yet, but I think that some of your concerns are addressable. The counterweight would be considerably beyond the geosynch point, and the tension could overcome any tendencies to drift. the tether would be a flexible fabric. I think vibrations could be damped, although I am not an engineer. It looks like a rather straightforward problem.

Exectrical generation is an interesting side effect, but the fabric would be carbon. Perhaps the electrical potential between points on the ribbon could be harnessed to run the elevator.

[XBob]

217 - How would you dampen the mechanical vibration in a hurricaine/typhoon?

Though out of my area, it seems like with a carbon fiber cable we would create a permanent lightning bolt.