Thanks for the report, Stuart.  I found the Brister comments on energy-switching most interesting.  Energy-switching may buy our economy time, but will certainly increase pollution, which will bring other troubles.

When fellows in suits stand up to essentially market their products, I think we are moving past the realm of speculation on future energy sources.  We usually talk about Wind, Solar, Geothermal, and grudgingly accept the inevitability of more Nuclear, but here we see Synfuels and Biofuels are trying to stake out the market.  They say, "If they have to market a drug on TV, you don't want to use it."  I wonder if the same goes for energy.  

In the blurb for his latest pdf book, Matt Savinar also talks about most all peak-oilers being white male 50-somethings, which I find to be an interesting demographic.  Why us?  Are we facing our mortality through PO?

I look forward to reading your Simmons interview, especially if he reacts to the decision on ANWR drilling.