by MattSavinar » Fri 02 Sep 2005, 18:47:36
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bbadwolf', 'P')eak oil will never be acknowledged! There is simply no way we will get to the point of organization where we are extracting at geological maximum. There will always be another refinery fire, another hurricane, another terrorist attack, whatever. And when one of us "conspiracy theorists" mentions peak oil, they'll all chime no no, it's because of the terrorists. Look at how much production is missing because of Iraq! We could be getting more here, there, wherever. It's so and so's fault for not taking it from the Arabs fast enough.
This problem doesn't have a "workable" solution (one that allows continued wealth) and therefore can't be admitted to. The folk that "have" will NEED to find a way to "keep". Aknowledging peak oil would involve admitting that the only solution is to collectively stop pursuing wealth. Seems to me the late JC said that was something like shoving a camel through a needle, or something equally unlikely.
I suspect peak has pretty much happened and we are bouncing across a declining plateau. Demand destruction will partially hide fossil fuel production declines for periods of time but that will only bring other forms of rot to the fore.
What scares the sh** out of me is that I am suspect there is an avalanche point. We should be able to economically contract at perhaps 3% per year and sort of get by. But there is a rate where descent is too fast and everyone gives up (and turns to crime), social structure goes completely to hell and the whole thing starts looking like a sci-fi movie. What is that rate?
-bbad
I'd guess 3 and 1/4.