[lonewolf]

in response to MarkJ:

Lotto addicts are morons.
Nico addicts are morons.
Morons spend $2 in gas to go buy $5 of gas.
Non-negotiable fairy tale addicts are morons.

Morons need to die.
Morons WILL die.

If the only cost of fuel was what one put in their vehicle's tank, then perhaps even $15/gal could be marginally tolerated with some adjustments - for awhile.
But it's not just what goes in your tank that hits the wallet (economy). It's EVERYTHING. Everything times 5, times 10, times 20.
Heat goes up (is energy), electric goes up, food goes up, clothing goes up, gadgets go up, every cost and item you can imagine goes up up up. Fear (and loathing) rises even faster.

Just on the food side of reality, I'd estimate that as oil price rises by a sustained 50% increase over today, that food costs would at least double, perhaps triple in some categories. And that's not factoring for any non-oil caused food production shortages/disruptions, speculation, hoarding, panic, etc.

Not so long ago, oil approached $150/bbl and gasoline in the US approached $5/gal - BUT for a VERY brief interval. IMO, this alone nearly brought the entire 'system' to it's knees (with great assistance from the bankster's politicos, obviously). I maintain that if fuel costs had remained at or near these levels, we wouldn't now be talking about a recession or of green shoots or of anything else, other than for an hyper-inflationary greater if not terminal depression. And when (not if) gas prices spike next, in the 'minds' of many if not most (militant moron) American'ts, there is little if any remaining cushion for their non-negotiable way-of-life (delusion) to fall upon. I'm not suggesting that they do not have many temporary options to maintaining their current 'way-of life' (personal death march). I am strenuously suggesting that they will not willingly see or accept same (any) - and that they will lash out at the severe 'injustice' done to them (rational or not). The fear pump has been well primed (indignant radicals unite). The depravation (from wholesale wanton expectation) pump likewise primed and just waiting to overflow with the slightest provocation. Any additional inconvenience or further 'stressor' will IMO likely send a critical mass of morons literally over the edge .. hell, that critical mass is already literally teetering on the precipice (1. look around, 2. ask 'em).

Not directly related (or is it?), I recently heard a claim on MSNBC that said there had been a nationwide poll conducted back in 2007 that ask if "The Rapture" would occur in 2007. 25% of respondents were reported as answering in the affirmative - that it would occur in 2007. I've also seen several claims that as much as 50% of all American'ts believe that (aka want) this fairy tale will come to pass within their expected lifetime. Now, if it is true that half of the US basically don't want to be/remain here as things are/have been, then how satisfied or 'civil' will they be as the inevitable continues to play-out in surreal-time and their 'way-of life' (death cult) disintegrates around them. It won't take very much IMO to send many of these willful morons into a much much darker, deeper and more desperate despair (and/or denial). Desperately delusional monkeys are exceedingly dangerous - to themselves and everyone/thing around them. 'I say', anyone who truly wants to be Raptured should come by for a visit with ye ol' Lonewolf and I will gladly accommodate their wish (group discounts available). The local bears and fellow wolves will be greatly pleased. In the meantime, these are the most dangerous creatures on the planet and largely the reason we are all now in and are going to experience the worst possible consequences of humanities deliberate mass insanity.

[Gerben]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ian807', 'C')urious. How long did $10/gallon last?

[gollum]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Gerben', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ian807', 'C')urious. How long did $10/gallon last?

[Hawkcreek]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')nd when (not if) gas prices spike next, in the 'minds' of many if not most (militant moron) American'ts, there is little if any remaining cushion for their non-negotiable way-of-life (delusion) to fall upon. I'm not suggesting that they do not have many temporary options to maintaining their current 'way-of life' (personal death march).

[yesplease]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mos6507', 'D')on't assume $4 is the breaking point. It was the point at which people started to change their behaviors, but life was still basically BAU. BAU with a lot of bitching and moaning, but still BAU. But it would really take gas at $10 and beyond to create a TEOTWAWKI situation.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lonewolf', '
')Now, if it is true that half of the US basically don't want to be/remain here as things are/have been, then how satisfied or 'civil' will they be as the inevitable continues to play-out in surreal-time and their 'way-of life' (death cult) disintegrates around them..

[lonewolf]

ROF

2 peak oil impostors choose $50/gal as the price that implodes the US economy.
2 peak oil impostors choose (in another poll) that "die-off' (deaths exceed births) wouldn't begin until after 2100

What are the odds that these are one-in-the-same impostors?
What are the odds that these corno-comedians include OF2, SoS, or Xei?

I think it's safe to consider these votes as out-liars (sic) if not also as from paid peak oil assassins (hired thugs).

Related: Is Xei OF2's employer/handler or the other way around?

[Tanada]

I don't think there is a specific price point where our society collapses. Just like the natural environment and global warming it is the rate of change that matters. If fuel increases 3% every year until forever people will adapt. If fuel increases 30% every year people rapidly lose ground economically and do not have time to adapt before they are priced out of the market completely.

It is all about RATE of change, not the degree of change.