[steve-b]

A few good points, tainted by spots of stupidity (e.g. “ugly wind turbines” — the works of the human mind practicing advanced engineering are “ugly” only to Luddite morons (but I repeat myself)).

[thulldud]

Saying that "ugly wind turbines" are ugly is a judgment of their appearance, not of their engineering. Luddism has nothing to do with it.

And whatever labels one may attach to VDH, "moron" is not one of them.

[equalitybeforethelaw]

Drive through Palm Springs and count the number of windmills not turning. Then ask yourself does this endeavor really make economic sense?

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

A few good points, tainted by spots of stupidity (e.g. “ugly wind turbines” — the works of the human mind practicing advanced engineering are “ugly” only to Luddite morons (but I repeat myself)).

I agree with the point that form should follow function - but does it, in the case of the wind turbine? The function should be defined not as "getting free power from the wind" but economically producing power when wanted/needed.

The wind turbine might be a solution for that function - provided you only want power when the wind is blowing. And assuming that the capital cost and maintenance cost per KwHr of the wind turbine is better than the costs of nuclear and fossil-fueled power plants. If not, the wind turbine would be ugly even if you were making them out of rainbows.