It tells me that oil has been rising at about 20 cents a day for the past six months or so, and that there is no end in sight. It tells me that Shell is sending their people out to NPR, trying to let everyone know that we have two choices: cooperation in powering down, or a "scramble" for resources involving young men in kevlar, tanks, and helicopters. Shell isn't saying that last part out loud, of course, but what else does a scramble between nations mean?

There seems to be an emerging pr campaign: Shell says cooperate as oil production floats downward, Saudi says we are saving some unknown, hidden fields for our grandchildren. Just different ways of saying the peak was probably in 2005, and hang on for the ride.