The CNBC video is a prime example of the juxtaposition of peoples time horizons and boundaries. Simmons eloquently outlined the bigger picture of that society is facing dramatic institutional and structural change, and then the conversation was brought directly back to short term profits. June highs mean july lows, etc.

The reason there is no international, national, or regional body looking at WIDE boundary SYSTEMS analysis is that there is no money in it. If the markets are designed to produce profits measured in dollars, how will the markets solve problems of the global commons? How can the viewers/guests on CNBC even begin to analyze the depth of this problem beyond how higher oil prices affect their portfolio allocations? There will come a day when a 'paradigm allocation' will leapfrog modern financial portfolio allocation. Thats why the quizzical looks on those guests faces - energy and ecology are not topics ingrained in most traders pattern recognition banks.

I can only hope that our next crop of national leaders surround themselves by wide bounary thinkers - to surround themselves by the current crop of salespeople will lessen our chances dramatically.

And I agree with PG - this is difficult to do - to present facts about the situation as best as possible while remaining positive. What if the situation is worse than even some of the pessimists predict? The sooner we close off avenues that are dead ends, the better we can save high quality resources.

Well done by Matt Simmons.

Hi Joe,

Just thought I'd say Hi, though it's OT. I'm glad to see you here and asking questions.

My bias on motorized bikes is that of people I've known personally, I've never known a motor-biker who was not involved in a serious crash. But that's just my own observation. Anyway, do be careful.

Matt:

It's a bad thing if it's a two-stroke: loud and smelly, two-strokes are highly polluting!

Also, be sure to seek out and and take a training class before becoming a regular rider, even (especially) if it means taking a class intended for "real" motorcycles. Two-wheeled motorized vehicles have some counter-intuitive characteristics, which mean that your years of driving cars and bicycles are likely to cause you to do exactly the wrong things! Motorcycle training classes are easy and enjoyable and will give you a new set of motor-skills that are likely to save your life...

Larry

PS. Does anyone think buying a cheap, road-worthy motorbike from China at the moment is a bad thing? (Passed my learner's last week).

In general I'd say yes it's a bad thing.

Spend a little bit more for a Honda, Yamaha, or Suzuki (we could add Vespa and Aprila to the list if you are considering a scooter) even if it means buying a used bike rather than new, and you won't have to worry about build quality, reliability, or parts availability issues and the bike will hold it's resale value much better, plus if it already has a scratch or two you won't cry so much the first time you drop it, which most new riders do sometime in the first year or so. There are buckets full of low mileage nearly new bikes out there, the best value and you'll have lots of choice.

Things not to "try at home", shows a lot about what wearing all the gear will let you walk away from...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8oGW8c2vTA&feature=related
and just plain fun too :-)

Congrats and enjoy the ride!
Ride safe!

Buying a Motorcycle? Thats a great idea... Indian and Chinese Motorbikes are strong, ruff-&-tuff, and snappy. An average 200cc bike will easily give a 150+ miles per gallon. I suggest "Pulsar DTSi 200"

Karma, got an error message from this site earlier "karma error", now I see this word again. Interesting word to find floating round in TOD subspace.