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Old 10-03-2018, 05:46 PM   #3095 (permalink)
aerohead
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gradual

Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5 View Post
Most people don't measure peak oil based on proven oil reserve discoveries, but by either production or consumption; neither of which we've passed yet. It doesn't really matter if we have past it or not though, because the result is the same, a gradual weaning of oil consumption.

I went rafting with a large group of people once, and some of them were completely new to floating down a river. We needed to pull over prior to some rapids to better prepare for them, but some of those new people took that to mean "dire emergency; abandon ship". They were traumatized by the their hasty actions of abandoning ship and swimming for shore, when all that was needed was a calm paddle in the right direction.

You're suggesting we're in the middle of the rapids and need to abandon the ship (capitalism/liberty). I'm suggesting we're approaching some rapids and need to calmly maneuver the ship in the right direction.

A gradual weaning of oil consumption is preferred to the draconian State control of all industry, as you imply is necessary. Even if it were necessary, it wouldn't be sufficient because the rest of the world would also have to be on board with similar measures. We'd need to go to war to enforce the behavior of other countries, but would be defeated because our poor economy would stand no chance against those who exploit oil without restriction.
No doubt it WILL be gradual,as no one of significance in the American eye is talking about it.Quite the contrary!
It goes all the way to the top of the food chain.
What the climatologists are saying,is that we're already locked in to more warming than we're indicating and it's already getting expensive as it is.
So maybe we don't want to lollygag around too much or we'll screw the pooch.
Not only have we not stopped carbon emissions,we haven't done anything to remove some of what's already there,which is what the scientists advocate.
Around here,all they talk about is 'growing the economy.'
If you've read the Art of War,you know that government began with the military.It's the genesis of statecraft.You've probably seen some of the things a military is capable of.This doesn't change.
Capitalism is a construct,it doesn't occur in nature.Nor does liberty.
The President of the United States was willing to kill half the 'American' population in the 1860s.Something to remember.
We have at our disposal,the entire spectrum of human potentiality.I'd like to see an orderly transition,but I also see some structural impediments woven into our present social fabric,which includes the c-word.
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