ExtraOrdinary Times - ExtraOrdinary Thoughts! Page 4

that I have dedicated my life to has been to promote the promulgation of independent thought and critical thinking skills.

A good portion of one's education should be across disciplinary lines.... a concept discouraged in many educational centers today. In addressing his solutions, Tesla concerned himself with both spiritual and physical aspects of mankind.

Cheap Human Energy?

In the initial portion of the "Problem..." Tesla addresses the human factor. He noted that everything against the teachings of religion and hygiene tended to retard the advancement of the human race, and should be avoided. However, a realist, Tesla said short of abstinence, we should at least practice moderation in the vices.

It is clear that Tesla believed that what he termed the human mass was an important portion to the energy problem. He sought to increase human productivity replacing a good amount of human energy through the use of machines. Yet, he never lost sight that the overall goal was to improve improve the human condition. Today, we seem to have lost sight of that basic goal, and have transformed people today.

Although, many of us immediately think of oil when discussing America's addiction to cheap energy, we should, like Tesla, take human labor into consideration. In the early days of our nation, agriculture, particularly in the South, relied on slaves to provide cheap labor. Today, our labor is being outsourced to places like China and India (which pays pennies per hour)... and labor requirements which cannot be outsourced overseas are being fulfilled through the use of illegal immigrants.

The trade in illegal immigrants is as denigrating to the human spirit as slavery was. In the days of slavery, the slaves were transported under inhumane conditions and discarded like trash at the first sign of a problem. Today, instead of being stuffed into the hold of slave ships, they are stuffed into