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polyb
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Having read a lot about the so called peak oil production and the consequences that may be coming, I felt pretty comfortable posting this in order to kick start a thread on whether this is real or not and perhaps what needs to be done about a looming crunch in oil production. Yes I know it is RollingStone, a most reputable publication , but it has been well noted for a while that there is quite possibly a limited supply of this resource. The economic and political ramifications could be devastating as portrayed by this article.
Since this forum is full of us science types I figure that the topic does need focus because it quite possibly is only a matter of time. Considering that the vast majority of the American economy is based on oil, it does not require much inspection to confirm, what will happen if this crunch comes along and what can be done about it? The whole economy and military depend on this resource, without it America will not be able to maintain it's position as a 'superpower', economically or militarily. Since the decisions have already been made to not be more conservative with these resources how do you think the possible scenario will play out? Is this truly the 'Achilles heel' of American prowess?
Thoughts, speculations, and incriminations are welcome!
RollingStone said:The Long Emergency
What's going to happen as we start running out of cheap gas to guzzle?
By JAMES HOWARD KUNSTLER
A few weeks ago, the price of oil ratcheted above fifty-five dollars a barrel, which is about twenty dollars a barrel more than a year ago. The next day, the oil story was buried on page six of the New York Times business section. Apparently, the price of oil is not considered significant news, even when it goes up five bucks a barrel in the span of ten days. That same day, the stock market shot up more than a hundred points because, CNN said, government data showed no signs of inflation. Note to clueless nation: Call planet Earth.
Carl Jung, one of the fathers of psychology, famously remarked that "people cannot stand too much reality." What you're about to read may challenge your assumptions about the kind of world we live in, and especially the kind of world into which events are propelling us. We are in for a rough ride through uncharted territory.
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http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/7203633?rnd=1111968415270&has-player=true&version=6.0.12.857
Since this forum is full of us science types I figure that the topic does need focus because it quite possibly is only a matter of time. Considering that the vast majority of the American economy is based on oil, it does not require much inspection to confirm, what will happen if this crunch comes along and what can be done about it? The whole economy and military depend on this resource, without it America will not be able to maintain it's position as a 'superpower', economically or militarily. Since the decisions have already been made to not be more conservative with these resources how do you think the possible scenario will play out? Is this truly the 'Achilles heel' of American prowess?
Thoughts, speculations, and incriminations are welcome!