Electromagnetic Emission Art 198
mr_lithic writes "The artist Richard Box has used the electromagnetic field generated by overhead transmission cables to power 1300 fluorescent lightbulbs positioned underneath. Some pictures available.
Professor Denis Harshaw at Bristol University explains "There's an interactive element to all this, too, for those who go to the site itself. 'You affect the lights by your proximity', explains Richard Box, 'because you're a much better conductor than a glass tube. And there's sound as well as light - a crackling that corresponds to the flashing of the lights. There's a certain smell too, and your hair stands slightly on end.'"
Sounds cool and it is on until February 29th. Directons here."
Re:electromagnetic waves kill also brain cells (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:electromagnetic waves kill also brain cells (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Wrong physics (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Stealing or not? (Score:4, Insightful)
The source of energy is clearly owned by an identifiable person or group. Therefore the use of that energy is actionable. The right-of-way that allows the powerline in the first place gives the power company further arguments to strengthen their position.
The amount of energy used is measurable. Therefore he could be billed for it. Need I go on?
A smart Power Company would probably like it all to just go away, because it raises the possibility of health issues, so making a big deal out of it probably isn't a good idea.
Then again, a smart law firm that senses an opportunity to bill a few hours might convince a gullible board to pursue it. There are plenty of reasonable arguments that could be offered to encourage them to re-affirm rights over the use of borrowed power in this fashion (even though those rights are well established already). Companies don't always do what is in their best interest.
If it becomes popular or more common (negating the value of shutting up about it) expect to see the lawyers get a call.
As a final note: consider that the actual means to use the power is irrelevant; just because it doesn't directly connect to the grid means nothing, now that it's proven it's not necessarily a prerequisite to using the energy in the first place. it's just a technical detail.
Re:Stealing energy (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Stealing energy (Score:3, Insightful)
If having an inductor under a power line is theft -- what isn't?
Re:Reconfigure the Lines (Score:3, Insightful)
Or is it only large corporations which deserve to be stolen from?
Re:Edible Electromagnetic Emission Art (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Wrong physics (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Stealing energy (Score:4, Insightful)
Farmer who lives close to power line makes some big coils to nab some of the energy in the air around his house.
Power company: You are stealing our power. Stop.
Farmer: What are your E fields and H fields doing on my property. Get them off or let me use them as I see fit.
This could turn into quite a pissing contest!
Re:Stealing energy (Score:3, Insightful)
Sorry, but really, you run an item near someones home, and it gives of energy, the people in the home should be able to use it. If you don't like it, find another way to deliever your energy.
If you are not connected to the power, then you are not stealing. tresspassing, maybe.
Re:Science and Art (Score:2, Insightful)
If you're trying to change someone's opinion here, you might get better results if you watch the snide attitude. Just a thought.
Re:Power Lines have links to other Negative Effect (Score:2, Insightful)
Apparently almost 300 objects carrying stray current--metal grates, service boxes, even lamp poles--have been identified around the city since this article was written. IIRC, there was even 120 volts found to be running through a lamppost one block from Times Square. This according to the NYT.
Just another thing to consider as you walk to work tomorrow...
yours
Re:Stealing energy-Sat TV (Score:2, Insightful)