Better than Lightning

Sunset and the clouds to the west are putting on a light show, again.  Lightning strikes so quickly... so fast, yet, so arbitrary.  Rhyme and reason don't find their way into the equation.  All is beautifully random.  Immediate, light-speed discharges repeatedly attempt to equalize the electrons in the atmosphere.

Enormous, almost incalculable amounts of energy are wasted.  Efficiency would be so much more elegant.  Observe the best path for discharge.  Find a way to utilize the energy.  Strike.