by Aaron » Fri 24 Sep 2004, 07:58:03
You have to understand the journalistic style employed by FrontLine, (as well as others), to "get" what they presenting.
Like the example you gave of the "... until your grandchildren are old." quote.
Instead of ranting that that's a questionable speculation, they leave this comment "hanging in the air" for us to decide what we think of it.
I'm sure they feel as I do... that such nonsense will fall of it's own weakness. It seems obvious...
I watched the entire thing last night, and I would characterize it as directly related to the peak discussion.They probably avoid using the buzz word "peak oil" to avoid association with the conspiracy theory associations it has attracted.
Instead, they are presenting the evidence they have gathered, and ask important questions about it.
The point of this broadcast is actually exactly what we mean when we say PO. If the easy stuff was still available, why would these companies be making deals with corrupt and dangerous governments around the world? Why drill in hostile environments if oil is so abundant?
One thing I have read about, but really didn't understand, was the impact of Canadian Oil Sand extraction processes.
I was AMAZED!
It's strip mining on steroids... It's just unbelieveable... the sheer scale of these projects, and the way they destroy the environment. They literally just rip the crap out of the land to harvest these sands.
They also cover the Caspian Sea oil development. The scale of the operations there are incredible. The costs staggering. The dangers of doing business in these places, the massive costs involved, and the potential for political instability affecting ownership of these resources, has not deterred oil companies from investing in them.
Why? (I'll bet you know already).
I cringed as I watched this white bread oil executive declare that investing $25 million in local services for impoverished countries was their business plan... and how proud they are of it.
This while they extract nonrenewable resources from these regions worth perhaps 400+ billion... makes me wish I believed in hell.
I highly recommend this series to everyone... It puts a real human face on the real tragedies the developed world is exporting.
It lacks humanity, dignity, or almost any moral considerations.
As I sit here writing this I feel nothing so much... as shame.
The problem is, of course, that not only is economics bankrupt, but it has always been nothing more than politics in disguise... economics is a form of brain damage.
Hazel Henderson