It Is Critical We Get This One Right

Why LEDs should light the way

a fervent crowd follow a gigantic LED light that shows the way to the top of a hill, sleek surrealist futurism — by DALL·E

Obnoxious Glare

When I was a child, halogen lamps were in vogue. Many adults around me would praise the smaller bulbs, their longer life and especially the quality of the light they emitted. It was warmer, cosier, and overall better than traditional filament lights. Moreover, one could gradually increase or decrease their luminous intensity. While slightly more expensive, it was a luxury almost any member of any social class in the first world could afford. When the first low-energy consumption light bulbs appeared, many frowned at their obnoxious glare and inelegant brightness. LED lights were even worse.

Imaginable Heroes

Fast-forward a decade, and the same people who sang the praises of those incandescent lamps cannot get enough of the new, more efficient technology. Incidentally, many governments have banned or phased out halogen lights. Admittedly, current LEDs have reached feats unimaginable fifteen years ago: the light they emit can be cold or warm at a touch, its intensity can be regulated, and they use an insultingly low amount of electricity. However, I firmly believe their brilliance — sorry — was never unimaginable. We could and should have imagined how far they could go. Thankfully, many did, and now we all reap the benefits of their faith in…