I was enthralled by the possibilities put forward in this lecture, and I learned a great deal about the potential for fusion energy, but I didn't come away from it feeling like I had a clear picture of when this can happen. Fusion doesn't feel any closer to me now than it did before the talk, though I think Moses and the NIF are doing amazing work.

Fascinating Long Now seminar about the laser fusion experiment under way at Lawrence Livermore Labs. This ninety-minute podcast features a speech from Ed Moses, director of the National Ignition Facility, about their plans to provide abundant, cheap, clean and renewable energy within the decade. While we won't know if laser fusion is a viable alternative to fossil fuels until they get further along, this talk provides extensive scientific evidence to support Ed's enthusiasm for this technology.