Nate,

I haven't read most of the post but wanted to respond to your Energy vs Time statement. You have hit the nail on the head bringing this concept up.

I have been telling everyone I meet since I learned about peak oil that much of our energy problem is trying to do everything fast, rather than most energy efficiently. Driving fast, just in time delivery, air travel, 24 hr shopping, all are premised that fast is better. We have created a world that values quickness more than energy efficiency, at least with respect to making money.

Take the need for speed out of the equation and many energy problems will have different solutions. Unfortunately we are not there yet. The world is still trying to go faster so solutions often can't be the most efficient. They can only be the most efficient at the same or faster speed.

Can't wait to read your whole post!