OK Termoil, you've convinced me to keep the door open. But if it's OK, I'll still try and get some answers from local personalities - finance talking-heads, editors of motor magazines, presidents of car associations and the like (perhaps I'll even write to a few ministers, not that I'd hold much hope - the Australian Government can't even make a decision whether to ban plastic shopping bags or not!).

For the record, I read David Strahan's "The Last Oil Shock" late last year, which pretty well supported everything I saw in that film. Probably need to read it again along with your book suggestion. Also read Richard Dawkins', "The God Delusion" recently... Who's right and who's wrong about such things?

At the end of the day, it's still trusted faces and headlines that will convince me.

Thanks for replying, Matt B

PS. Don't Average Joes exist in "Middle Class"? That is, Average / Middle? I guess I am pretty handy with a trowel and hammer!

You read books. That alone puts you way past the "äverage" joe.