Thanks for the self-restraint Dan!

Yes, the article is a bit tabloidy but has several interesting points. One, the "independent mechanics," who are really demonstrating the democratization of technological innovation and design. Hacking a Tivo is just the start! I expect a variety of customized hybrid cars will emerge in the future - likely from backyard boffin's garages. There's no reason to believe that major innovations won't stem from this "tinkering".

Two, the market will decide in the end. When oil hits $200/barrel, expect innovation to go into overdrive.

It's easy to poo-poo this sort of thing, particularly with all the fudged figures about bio-fuels and never-realized promises of increased efficiency solar cells, but I expect innovation will triumph in the end.