by rwwff » Wed 31 May 2006, 02:09:24
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', '
')So, there's something good on the other side of the abyss, and if we can muster enough speed to leap it, we'll come down in a pile of goodies or something? It's all a matter of "nerve", and if we drive fast enough, and consume fast enough, and waste enough stuff, we'll be able to fly over the abyss?
I'm kind of confused. How does that work?
That seems to be the plan, at least as far as I can tell from the actions and policies of the last three administrations.
And to be blunt, I think I already said that I don't know if any of them will work, be neutral, or make the problem worse. I'm pretty sure a government enforced powerdown would likely create the very crash people are trying to avoid. I'm fairly queezy about the jump the abyss approach. I feel most comfortable just letting the markets jostle themselves up the supply vs demand curve until we hit a price that both accuratly reflects the appropriate value of oil, and acts as a curb to frivolous demand. aka, Demand Destruction.
I think the idea of the jump the abyss approach follows from a profound distrust of government funded research, a belief in greed and capitalism to find a way to exploit a situation for power and profit, and the notion that to feed that capitalistic engine, we have to use as much of everyone elses oil as we can, use ours to the limit, then open new US areas as the price of oil launches through the roof. Then we hope the margin between the cost to use liquid fuels and the cost of using grid electricity becomes so great that big corporations won't be able to restrain themselves and will dive in with consumer choices designed to exploit the differential. This way, you end up with American supremacy, long term sustainable individual transportation, and another several decades time to play the same game of chicken with nuclear and coal, hoping to reach fusion or true geothermal generation before the coal and uranium run out. rwwff's odd making: 1 chance in 20 of success, but with a very large payout.
The problem for the greens with this plan, is that it entails burning every last drop of recoverable oil, and every last pound of recoverable coal. 2000 ppm anyone? [Maybe we can make some new dina-sars to go with the new climate.]
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Or does it work only for Texicans? If I move to Texas and contribute to Tom "The Hammer" DeLay's defense fund, will I land in the pile of goodies on the other side, too?
Ummm, in case you haven't been following, "The Hammer" keeps winning in court. I trust the legal process much more than I trust the press or pundits. If the court ends up finding him guilty, then he should go to jail, but if not, Delay will deserve our respect as a great political architect, even if you didn't like his policy preferences.