More Energy or Smarter Use?

A further comment on the issue of how to 'incentivise' efficiency rather than resource use by power companies and the like.

"people aren't interested in lightbulbs, they're interested in light" -- that is, improvements to a given specific technology must always be in the service of the larger purpose of the technology. Too narrow a focus on improving a given technology (e.g., internal combustion engine cars) can blind one to the rewards of meeting the same needs with entirely different systems (e.g., smart planning and personal mass transit).

WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: More Energy or Smarter Use?
On Del.icio.us: efficiency, power, generation, environment, resource-use, incentives, economics