Dim Bulbs

We interrupt this blog to bring you a somewhat uncharacteristic hissy fit. While it has raised my ire from time to time over the last couple of years, the entire movement to ban the traditional incandescent light bulb continues apace as we approach the time of its permanent dissolution. Pushed by a Democratic Congress and signed by a Republican president in 2007, this silly idea that we have to have energy efficient light bulbs in our homes to save the planet illuminates to me that our policy makers are a bunch of dim bulbs.

Those little swirly compact fluorescents cost too much, are toxic if they break, and generally do a poor job of lighting up a room. Light from the "energy inefficient" traditional bulbs (the horror!) is far easier on the eyes and has served us well for decades upon decades. Now of course, there is a trend toward LED-based lights, a technology far better suited for blinky lights on computers and gadgets than for room illumination. Yes, LED flashlights and camping lamps aren't too bad, but if you've ever been nearly blinded by blue LED headlights while driving down a dark road, then you know why I'm not a fan.

But industry, trying to figure out how to adhere to silly government over-regulation of your bedside lamp, has come up with an LED light bulb to replace "energy guzzling" (roll eyes here) traditional light bulbs. But here's the catch: at the moment, a single one of these bulbs costs a freakin' $50!! 50 bucks! For a light bulb! From the article (emphasis mine):

Two leading makers of lighting products are showcasing LED bulbs that are bright enough to replace energy-guzzling 100-watt light bulbs set to disappear from stores in January.

Their demonstrations at the LightFair trade show in Philadelphia this week mean that brighter LED bulbs will likely go on sale next year, but after a government ban takes effect.

The new bulbs will also be expensive — about $50 each — so the development may not prevent consumers from hoarding traditional bulbs.

Ya think? Count me among those who are officially going into the hoarding business. Traditional light bulbs are getting harder to find, and the price is going up. Nevertheless, I'll be taking inventory of the types of bulbs I need around the house, and will be making periodic purchases to push out the date of transition as far as possible.

50 dollars, for a light bulb? This is the cost of over-regulation. Too save a few cents on the dollar of "energy inefficiency," we're going to have to shell out budget-busting dollars for an "innovation" that hasn't even been perfected yet. Forgive the invective, but this is stupid. And let's not even get into the energy required to mass produce complicated and unproven bulbs.

But, unless the "lights come on" in the halls of government, this is the future being imposed upon us. And in case you missed it, I take a rather dim view of the whole business.