The Oil Drum

There were about 200 people and at least half were professional suit and ties from the DC political world. In attendance were three state legislators from the local area. Bartlett's staff were professional and effective. Some lobbyists present, most apparently sent by their higher ups to observe and report. An extensive amount of hair creame on the males, big hair on the women; as an observation. They listened politely and attentively; body language said that the material was new for many of them.  Out in the smoking area very little of their between session conversation was on the topic, quite a bit of light hearted disparaging comment including one of "I guess this is where they want us to drink the cool-aid." A very "Republican" crowd among the "Suits" so I gather that Bartlett has been button-holing his fellows to listen-up. For that he should be credited.

Although the public crowd seemed very Peak Oil aware, I would not call them a pony-tail and granola set, but then at my age I do know what that crowd looks like! There was one (1) ponytail in attendance (this is a people watchers report, after all)  I was struck by the apparent social diversity of the public side of the attendees. Two arrived by bicycle.

It appeared that this may have been planned as a full day seminar, then compressed to under 3 hours of actual talk time. The presentations were very rushed. If I was unfamiliar with the topic, it would have been difficult to understand the thrust of the Peak Oil arguement. In all, disappointing and a disservice on Bartlett's part to his DC based observers, for whose benefit I believe the conference was held. Limiting the presentations to the big three would have been much more effective.

A word about two of the presenters. I have followed Simmonds since he first began posting to his corporate site; and the rising sense of urgency is palpable. He is very worried and I think basically shares the view of many here that we are in for a catastrophe that it is already too late to fully avoid.

Howe was in fact very rambling, if still charming. He made the only comment that generated a spontaneous interuptive applause from the attendees when he began a sentence with "If we rely upon market signals it will be too late..."  My only question was addressed to Howe, and I asked him to comment on the work of Jay Hanson and the possibility of a Global "Die-Off." The question never got to Bartlett (who was presenting the questions from written slips) as I observed it thrown in the trash by his aide in attendance. Afterwards Howe said to me that "Those of us who have followed this for years know that it is already far too late. Perhaps if we had started twenty five years ago."