But the most important factor, according to Rifkin, is that we don't have enough water.

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But there are exceptions, according to attorney and former Justice Department official, David Rifkin.

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But it is the sheer scope of all facets of Mr Rifkin's plan that makes it unique.

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Rifkin based his work on dozens and dozens of recent breakthroughs in cognitive neuroscience, neuro-psychology and child development.

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And you could fill a public library with Jeremy Rifkin's lamentations over cloning, biotechnology and Holstein cows that give too much milk.

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"Every parent in the world is going to want this, " says Rifkin.

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But the distributed computing allowed by the revamped power grid could introduce a new economic paradigm - what Mr Rifkin calls "distributed capitalism".

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Another nexus of history and current events is that Jeremy Rifkin, anti-biotechnology fanatic and all-around kook, is currently on the talk-radio circuit touting a new book.

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Mr Rifkin, by contrast, is theoretical, pretentious and long-winded.

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The problems don't end there, Rifkin says.

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Jeremy Rifkin now had new allies.

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We are in deep trouble, McHughen noted, when the media and the public are willing to equate the views of Jeffrey Smith or Jeremy Rifkin with those of the late Norman Borlaug, the Nobel Laureate and one of the pioneers behind the green revolution that has saved tens of millions of lives.

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