Playing God

Have a read about what China is doing at the Olympics....

Liu Zhen, Reuters: BEIJING — China is preparing an arsenal of rockets and aircraft to protect the Olympics opening ceremony from rain, hoping to disperse clouds before they can drench dignitaries at the “bird’s nest” stadium.

Officials believe there is a 47% probability of rain during the August 8 opening ceremony and a 6% chance of a heavy downpour and will try to drain humidity from clouds before they reach Beijing.

Strong winds and fog would also be troublesome because the “bird's nest" National Stadium, where the ceremony will be staged, has no roof.

More than 100 staff at 21 stations surrounding the city will have 10 minutes’ notice to fire rockets or cannons containing silver iodide at approaching clouds in the hope of making them rain before they reach the stadium. Three aircraft will also be on stand-by to drop catalysts to unleash rain from the clouds. “We’ve worked with neighbouring provinces on a contingency plan for rainstorm and other weather risks during the ceremonies,” said Wang Yubin, the deputy chief of China’s meteorological service assigned to the Olympics.

“Studies have proved that the chemicals we use do no harm to the air, water or the entire environment,” said Zhang Qiang, head of Beijing’s Weather Modification Office.

The government has spent $500 000 to build up Beijing’s cloud seeding capacities over the past five years and authorities will conduct practice runs in June and July. It typically uses pellets of silver iodide, which is highly insoluble in water and can concentrate moisture to cause rain. Zhang Qiang, head of Beijing’s Weather Modification Office, believed her staff could can fend off drizzle, but could be powerless in the face of a heavy downpour. “I hope God will not send any storms to Beijing,” she said.

NOW:
We all know that once a technological or scientific discovery is succesfull, it, generally, over the years makes its way into the consumer world. Think of the cell phone, PC or GPS. China will use this at the Olympics - and if it is a success it could have HUGE implications for me in South Africa.
If it is a success, different industry players will compete to create a mass-produced, cost-effective product to flood markets with... and herein lies the genius!

When it is on the market I will be sure to buy it, and then, when I organise a braai, I can make sure that even if my entire city is pouring with rain, there will be a clear patch above my house, so that we can enjoy a good old-fashioned, sunny South African braai!