StringJunky

It doesn't automatically mean your thread is crap. If a mod thought a thread of mine was speculative, I wouldn't mind. This is done for less experienced readers, so that the difference between hard/standard/conventional science ideas and someone's hypothesis is clearly distinguished for their benefit. No need to be offended. We regulars don't see your threead as being relegated in any way.... the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and not where it is served. Do we appear to be digital because that is the current state of our technology. Will we think of ourselves in some other technologically analogous way in the future?

Selfishness more like. When people are suffering and dying, principles that harm them can take a hike. Some people live in cuckooland and have a strange sense of priority. It's just a game when all's said and done. It's not Rollerball!

I just learned some soil bacteria and blue-green algae (diazotrophs) can fix nitrogen from air, they are a potential N source.

I'm talking about the macro-nutrients: NPK. If there's little N in the soil and only traces in the dead leaves, then the net N after processing by microbes will be tiny. I'm assuming no initial N in the soil to keep things clear for discussion.

I think we are maybe going to have to do some grey warfare ourselves in response. China and Russia are using attrition tactics and gaining territory inch by inch... especially China. We could put 100,000 'volunteers' in Ukrainian uniform and debadge our warplanes/tanks with Ukraine insignia on them. Russia hasn't got a leg to stand on, since they did that in Crimea with their 'green men'.... and got an uninvolved airliner blown up as well. What's good for the goose... wishful thinking, I know.

Beats me how they didn't see the gas dependence on Russia before now. In the short term, we can only assist Ukraine with tech, intelligence and arms, without actually joining in.

I think the answer is "It depends...". If, like I said, there's traces, then they are going to get used used up by the soil microbes to make the nitrates. They won't produce as much or more than they consume.... Law of Conservation and all that.... is it not? Adding leaves is not useles though, as they provide carbon, structure, porosity, moisture retention etc.

Unfortunately, it's going green that's causing the gas deficit. Everything has consequences.

And the 'correct' amount is...?

Speaking of nuclear: the Russians wouldn't have such leverage if that was the preferred energy source, instead of gas, until other greener sources matured or new ones realized.

That may be what the pros do as well. It was general comment, not targeted at you specifically.

Yes, ok. That's a bit confusing to the casual eye that may mistake LD50 for ID50, or vice versa.

It's Lethal Dose 50 - The amount it takes to kill half a population.

The numbers are in trace amounts.

There is no significant nutrients in fallen leaves for use by plants. The trees consumed them all before dumping them.

...and 4K.

That's pure 'slippery slope' fallacy.

Except where such measures are clinically justifiable in certain circumstances, like immune deficiency and operating theatres, trying to separate oneself from the universe of 'everyday' ubiquitous microorganisms is a fool's errand, I think. Why try to remove, beyond a cosmetic level, stuff that we have evolved to live with. I blame advertising, propagating anxiety to maintain hygiene-related markets.

That's called 'chatoyance'. You see it also in certain types of wood that has been finished to a high polish.

I don't know where you live, my experience is very much to the contrary: what you see is what you get.

The regulars here actually like the scientific method and it's implied rigor. The members also police crap as much as the mods. It's not perfect and there is some lattitude for people to express amateur speculations, compared to, say, Physics Forms because ultimately it is an amateur forum. You just have to weather the periods when there seems to be a lot of rubbish, One can filter out the forums that tend to produce the irritating stuff. Keep your eyes on the wheat and ignore the chaff. I think universities have a lower standard of entry in the UK now, to fill the seats because it's not free. They also have national league tables to compete in for applications and thus income. These all lower the bar imo.

I read somewhere that certain elements, like the power unit, are replaceable, in the event that such technology may be available in a few decades. I think it's planned service life is 40 years iirc.

Yes, I'll go with those. The sudden part is where I implied jokingly 'magic'... it just seems to appear.

Looks like TheVat misinterpreted Studiot's post.

Yes, it's in the BIOS.