<Weekend Open Thread (and a link to HO v. Econbrowser) The Oil Drum A Discussion of Friedman's "Gas Pump Geopolitics">

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Robert Rapier on April 30, 2006 - 1:14am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
I have slowed my speed down from 70 to 60. I also stopped using my AC, unless I have passengers and the temperature is pretty high. I have made lots of changes around the house to conserve electricity as well. It isn't really a matter of $3 gas, I just feel everyone should be doing everything they can reasonably do to conserve - and delay the arrival of the day that conservation is no longer optional.

RR

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kjmclark on April 30, 2006 - 6:27am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I do the same things, but not for the reason you listed. My cutbacks are for climate change and to save money for investments. Better to let other people deal with inflation. I'd rather invest in inflating things and other WTSHTF preparation. I know a number of SUV drivers who are grateful for your virtue, but wouldn't be willing to follow your lead. Doesn't Jevon's paradox imply that, until the government at least has acknowledged PO, there isn't much point to altruistic conserving to preserve the resource?
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Robert Rapier on April 30, 2006 - 10:28am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I know a number of SUV drivers who are grateful for your virtue, but wouldn't be willing to follow your lead. Doesn't Jevon's paradox imply that, until the government at least has acknowledged PO, there isn't much point to altruistic conserving to preserve the resource?

You are correct, in that what we voluntarily do is but a drop in the bucket compared to what government could do to lead on this situation. I don't even think it will take an acknowledgement of PO. They just need to recognize that we have a supply/demand crunch that isn't going to get better as long as China and India continue to grow.

RR

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Ammond on April 30, 2006 - 11:36am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Perhaps the only good reason for us to conserve now is to think locally and reduce our personal expenses. To me that is good enough.
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fleam on April 30, 2006 - 5:18pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
You can be altruistic and selfish at the same time. This is actually fairly common in Nature.

For instance, yeah I drive a prius, but I got it because it's a great load-carrier, I can throw a bicycle or a 50 HP linear power supply into it without having to lift the article UP and hurt my back. It's small and easy to park. I don't spend much on gas but then I'd spend a lot less than a lot of people if I were driving a Crown Vic, I drive about 7k miles a year. The big banana for me is, as gas prices go up to normal, normal being what they pay in europe, my car will hold its resale value well.

Same thing with going without a car at all - ride a bike or walk! This is altruistic, sure, but has huge benefits for you. You save TONS of money. Your health improves hugely. Your life expectancy, even factoring in accidents to bikers and peds, goes up. You feel better. AND, when/if TSHTF, you're USED to doing without a car. You're more fit and physically and mentally versatile.

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OuttaControl on April 30, 2006 - 6:52pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Amen.  You took the words out of my mouth (except for the Prius stuff  - not that I wouldn't agree with that if I had a Prius).

Sometimes my wife gets frustrated with some my peak oil lifefstyle strategies and says that it would depress people to have to, for example, give up driving to work some day.  I respond by saying that I feel that I have an obligation to at least tell friends about Peak Oil and that, if she thinks they'll be depressed thinking about peak oil now, just think how depressed they'll be when they find out buying the SUV wasn't such a good strategy.

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AlanfromBigEasy on April 30, 2006 - 9:48am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I took the St. Charles bus (the St. Charles streetcar is still down :-( to Canal, and took the St. Charles streetcar running on Canal (the Canal streetcars drowned) to within 6 blocks of JazzFest.  Nice way to go !  :-)  Next year, electricity all the way.

Pre-Katrina, I used 6 gallons/month (and a bit less than 300 kWh/month yearly average).  I have no intention of conserving or changing my behavior is any significant way.  I could, but the sacrifice is "not worth it".  

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184 comments on Stories from around the country

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