by threadbear » Sun 15 Jul 2007, 17:00:53
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')I'm sorry threadbear, but financial/economic meltdown cannot result in a more gradual slope than geologic depletion. It can only make the rate of decline more rapid. Even if you don't agree that we are at geological peak, the infrastructure situation is such that massive investment is required simply to stand still with production, a global depression will cut of any chance of increased capital expenditure.
Less oil available to the consumer, for whatever reason, seems to support the idea that geologic depletion will be less rapid.
I think what you mean to say is that the infrastructure situation will keep constraining supply, as it is allowed to rot. I don't disagree with you completely, but suggest that you take a closer look at the managability of this problem. This is a corporate policy decision, and not necessarily all based on geologic peak.
There's going to be a market for oil, even when alternatives are developed. WE may be in a global depression, but believe me, they aren't in one, nor are they likely to be for the next couple of decades. There is plenty of money there to address the various infrastructure problems.
We give them WAY too much latitude if we excuse them for being lousy corporate citizens, by viewing their greed and opportunism as a logical and rational response to peak oil. When we see everything through the lens of peak oil theory, this is what we are doing, I'm afraid.