April 16, 2008
Beijing Olympics: Who'll stop the rain?
Photo by Augapfel
The CCP of course. As we enter day two of nasty April showers it's comforting to know someone's got our backs.
We reported when China heroically went to war against the elements this winter and now they're sending in the troops again to protect the Olympic opening ceremony this summer. Determined to prevent any moisture, China is prepared to deploy their doomsday device rain-controlling technology to stop any uncooperative clouds that might get in their way.
More than 100 staff at 21 stations surrounding the city will have 10 minutes' notice to fire rockets or cannons containing silver iodide at approaching clouds in the hope of making them rain before they reach the stadium. Three aircraft will also be on stand-by to drop catalysts to unleash rain from the clouds.
Who knew playing God could be so easy. Normally, we're against shooting chemicals into the sky for no good reason, but this is just so much easier than using umbrellas and tents. We have good reason to believe this will be effective as well, having met with such great success during the Special Olympics test run here in Shanghai.
Related links
BBC News: Chinese Cloud Seeding (with diagrams)
News.au: More on protecting the Olympics from the clouds
China Daily:Older piece on Beijing's rain manipulation
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This is one better than painting the grass green for the IOC tour.
You know the Wizard from the Wizard of Oz was a cloud seeder in Kansas before he got blown off course into Oz. There's some sort of allegory here, but hell if I know what it is - but it probably makes more sense than Baum's campaign for the silver standard. Probably goes well with Pink Floyd too.
Beijing seems to be forgetting that the rain helps break up the mid and late summer haze and dust and also brings temps down, albeit briefly.
Chinese science in full effect.
mutton kebob - I believe the idea is to make it rain in the days leading up TO the games for the benefits you mention AND to get it all out of the clouds before 8/8/08.
some interesting speculation on cloud seeding from China Sports Today