The Oil Drum

Yes Phil high prices is just what we need - I still have a faint hope that the message of depletion will get through and instead of the kneejerk reaction of the current government - "we must find more oil"; a more rational quest begins to find a low energy pathway for this country and ultimately the world.

Our quest should be for Gross Domestic Happiness and decisions made to change the society to ratchet that index up despite falling energy sources.

For instance us oldies can remember when regional TV started after lunch and closed well before midnight. This led to to thinking about how much society has changed - and changed in response to the perceived need for higher output.

All manner of industries have gone to multiple shifts, wiping out the community ties of their employees.

In a solar powered society, it would be more efficient to have industry work while the sun shines - we could return to weekends shared by the whole community which will increase sporting and cultural participation - in other words strengthen the community.

In a solar powered society the cheapest power would be during the day with great increases for night time power - it would encourage homes to use less power, while allowing essential industries an economical rate... Of course it would have to be higher than now - but we must encourage decreased consumption!~!~

Then we would have no need for 24 hour TV and it could start in time for a 1 hour childrens session at 4pm - an hour of family /educational programming, an hour of news and commentary from 7 to 8, a half hour family comedy followed by an adult drama or movie - then close the station!!! Less programmes but of a higher quality would lead to better health outcomes as increased TV watching have been shown as an indicator in increased obesity. We could skip the kids shows and have them play outside but that would have to be phased in!!! to much of a shock!!!