[Fenrirs_space]

http://www.weather.com/news/ghost-to...tific-20120512

A scientific ghost town in the heart of southeastern New Mexico oil and gas country will hum with the latest next-generation technology — but no people.

A $1 billion city without residents will be developed in Lea County near Hobbs, officials said Tuesday, to help researchers test everything from intelligent traffic systems and next-generation wireless networks to automated washing machines and self-flushing toilets.

Well this is interesting. I can see the benefits, a full scaled city in which to test technologies without having to accomodate for the annoying factor that is the rest of us people. $1 billion seems like a lot at the moment, however the fact that they may be able to develop things there that reduce costs in other areas over time (Such as managing traffic more efficiently and so on) seems like it might be a good long term investment.

What do you think? Waste of money, good investment, or "only in America"?

[MacDaddi]

Automated washing machines.... Can't wait for the future!

[Mufasaa]

Seems like a really good idea, the cost sounds ludicrous but considering how much gets spent on other crap by America (a few stadiums have been/are being built at a similar price largely on taxpayer money, for example) it seems a sound investment. I can't see a cost breakdown in the article but I'd imagine there's a large chunk of private spending on it too.

This'll bring along some great new research opportunities and should help crack down on other wastes of money where things havn't had the chance to be properly tested, I like the idea all around.

[thunder_chunky]

This town, is turning into a ghost town...

Spoiler:

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