Why the Current Asphalt Composition is a Cosmic Joke
Alright, folks, let's talk about roads. Yeah, roads! You ever notice how they’re always under construction? Like some kind of ancient curse that nobody can break? That's because asphalt—the miracle substance we slap onto every highway, byway, and parking lot—is about as durable as a wet paper towel in a hurricane. And yet, we just keep using it! Let’s break down why this is one of the dumbest ideas humanity keeps clinging to like a bad habit. 1. The Science of Stupidity: Why Asphalt Sucks 1.1. Bitumen: The Black Goo of Regret Asphalt is made of bitumen , a leftover from the oil refining process. You know, the stuff even oil companies don’t want? So, what do we do with it? We smear it all over the ground like peanut butter and call it a road. But guess what? This crap is fragile. Too hot? It melts. Too cold? It cracks. Too much traffic? It breaks. Too much rain? It disintegrates. Basically, it’s the Goldilocks of failure. 1.2. A Non-Stick Band-Aid for ...