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309 comments on DrumBeat: November 8, 2007

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Twilight on November 8, 2007 - 10:13am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Yes, this is so very true, and I always think of it when I'm using fuel for hand labor saving devices (the chainsaw always brings it home). Somehow it is harder to notice when the amounts being used are much higher, such as while driving. I think it's because when you are hurtling down the highway at 70mph, the amount of energy you are using is so large relative to what could be done with hand labor, that it simply cannot be related.

BUT! The problem is that we've built a society that just must have these massive amounts of energy for transportation (to jobs, etc.) and food production. And if you convert the energy we use daily (and unconsciously) to human labor, then each of us is a king of unimaginable wealth with a massive army of slaves to do our bidding.

Look out the window, and they're there under your car pushing you down the highway. They're in the basement heating your water, and some more are out in the yard pumping the water. A few more are behind the TV cranking on that generator. I really feel bad for the ones turning the generator to run all those lights that were left on all night.

What if they all ran away?

And someday, what would my children give to have even a tiny amount of the energy I've just wasted in my lifetime?

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BrianT on November 8, 2007 - 10:22am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Yeah, if the ave American family can't drive 40000 miles a year it will be the end of civilization. There is no pleasure that compare to the pleasure of driving my SUV at 70 mph. Pity our descendants who will not know such unbelieveable ecstacy. All the hours sitting in traffic jams is pretty cool too. Thank God for the invisible energy slaves.

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Twilight on November 8, 2007 - 10:35am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Your point is well taken Brian, but to most here this is still how daily life is. Maybe it is an indication that there is still easy conservation fruit to be picked, I don't know. But still, to get to work most will still need to get into a car. They can go slower, and they can share the ride - but they won't until they absolutely have to. And how would it be enough?

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BrianT on November 8, 2007 - 10:44am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

You can't stop the public from throwing their money away on gasoline. It is their money to spend as they see fit. The guv is obviously clueless or ambivalent on this one so the chips will fall where they may. Hopefully you and I will be OK.

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Twilight on November 8, 2007 - 10:52am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

With luck! I get the feeling the previews are almost over and the feature film is about to start.

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WNC Observer on November 8, 2007 - 11:49am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Yep, the Loony Toons cartoon that has been our oil-guzzling history up to now is ending, with Porky Pig saying:

"Th..th..th..That's all, Folks!"

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cyclelicious on November 8, 2007 - 1:35pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

"If the ave American family can't drive 40000 miles a year it will be the end of civilization."

I'm reading this article in the San Jose Mercury News about the prospect of $4 gas. Some of the comments are interesting:

"This is ridiculous," said Laseanna Halsell, 20, a medical administrative assistant as she pumped six gallons in her 1993 Buick at Moe's Gas Station on McKee Road in San Jose for $3.24 a gallon, a cost of about $20. "I heard about $100 a barrel or something on the news. Cost of living is high. Gas is high. It makes no sense."

Regarding the discussion of how much the per-barrel cost of crude translates into the price at the pump:

"The current situation is very troubling," said Sean Comey of the California State Automobile Association, adding that the rising cost of crude "probably hasn't been completely reflected at the retail level.

"So, as bad as it is now, it's likely to get worse."

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Durandal on November 8, 2007 - 3:59pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Yeah, if the ave American family can't drive 40000 miles a year it will be the end of civilization. There is no pleasure that compare to the pleasure of driving my SUV at 70 mph. Pity our descendants who will not know such unbelieveable ecstacy. All the hours sitting in traffic jams is pretty cool too. Thank God for the invisible energy slaves.

I know there was sarcanol there, but riding a motorcycle is SO much better than riding in an SUV. Well, unless it's raining, or snowing...

~Durandal (http://www.wtdwtshtf.com/)

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Aniya on November 10, 2007 - 10:12pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hi Twilight,

Your image is beautiful for its truth; I hope you can use it in some way so that others see it, as well.

re: "...what would my children give to have even a tiny amount of the energy I've just wasted in my lifetime?"

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