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An Innovation Lesson

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This is a blog on why we believe and do what we do, why we pretend otherwise, how we might do better, and what our descendants might do, if they don't all die.
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An Innovation Lesson

Robin Hanson
Mar 11, 2011
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An Innovation Lesson

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After all these years of hybrids hogging ouf “car pool” lanes as well as huge subsidies, we learn:

The new Chevrolet Cruze Eco can reach eye-popping fuel economy levels of more than 50 miles per gallon on the highway, which even in this era of hybrid-electric cars stands among the best. But here’s the real trick: The Cruze Eco is neither a hybrid nor electric. It runs on that “old” technology, the conventional gasoline engine. … This year, General Motors, Ford and Hyundai began selling cars with conventional engines that achieve 40 mpg or more on the highway, exceeding the fuel efficiency of some hybrids. … The new fuel-efficient gasoline cars, critics say, raise doubts about government efforts that favor any one technology over another. If subsidies are to be made, they argue, they should go to efficient cars, no matter what their power source. (more)

Oh yes, yes, yes.

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An Innovation Lesson

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An Innovation Lesson

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Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

Bikes are a great idea, right up until reviewing the safety statistics.

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Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

Back in 1984, I bought a Honda CRX, which was rated at 63 MPG highway. (Yes, I know that the EPA's rating system has changed since then - but I did get more than 60 MPG when on long trips).

How did Honda do that - in the early 80s, while no one can do that today?

Simple: The car weighed less than 1800 lbs. It had no air conditioner, no anti-lock brakes, no back seat, no side impact air-bags (no air bags at all!), no cruise control, manual windows, no "crumple-zones", and it had a 1300cc (58hp) engine and a manual transmission.

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