what do you think the world will be like when the oil fields are dry?
 

the "value of 911s and high gas $$" thread got me thinking....

will it be total chaos? (guys will be building forts out of their early 911's). there is no telling how much oil is left in the middle east, or if any will be found in alaska. one thing for sure, petroleum is the crack cocaine of our planet. we are 100% fully dependent on oil. finding more is not a sustainable solution.

so what do you think will happen? world hunger? back to the basics? defending our homes with swords? what?

(on a side note: why do we pay so much tax for gas at the pumps, along with the government subsidizing the oil companies to keep gas prices down? i dont get it, and i cant find an unbiased answer anywhere)

Here's an interesting article that deals with this subject:

http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_16693.shtml

Mike

Nuclear.

Hopefully fusion technology. Clean, arguably safer than fossil fuels. This is one area where I think the French have it right.

We will travel in tubes!

Not much will change.

Oil for plastics, synthetic fabrics and lubrication can be gotten from coal and oil shale probably in supplies that are almost limitless for that purpose.

Energy consumption is another thing. However, we know of enough alternate energy resources: Nuke, wind, solar, wave action, that I don't think we will be hurting for power.

Yes, in 50 years when the US will still be getting most of it's power from the middle east...however it might be in the form of Solar. Where else gets that degree of uninterrupted sunlight with HUGE empty spaces? Just about nowhere.

I think you meant "fusion" technology? I agree. If we can solve the technical hurdles associated with fusion, it will change the world.

Mike

Right. I always confuse fission with fusion. At least I can say "Nook-lee-ur" ;)

Who writes this crap? I mean really?

"I'm not optimistic about the Southeast, either, for different reasons. I think it will be subject to substantial levels of violence as the grievances of the formerly middle class boil over and collide with the delusions of Pentecostal Christian extremism."

I grew up in an age when NYC was written off - popular movies of the era imagined a future Manhattan as a vast prison colony. Then what happened? Rudy got elected and now you have $1,000,000 one bed-room apartments.

Long, long term fossil fuels might not be a good idea. In the medium long term, I still dont see hydro-carbons running out - coal and tar sands in North America alone could keep us going for a long, long time.

I lived in Japan for years, where per-capita energy usage is much lower. Life was pretty good. Smaller homes, less AC, smaller cars, more public transport.. No big deal. Do awayt with silly SUVs and 5 bedroon McMansions in FLA - we could easily use half as much crude oil with little dislocation.

Eventually fossil fuels will be reserved for industrial production applications.

If (when) our cars are all electric and charged by remote fusion plants the air quality will be spectacular. This planet seems to have an infinite capacity for self-cleaning.

Everything we need can be gotten with bio-based means including gas and diesel - it may be more pricey at first but scale economics would balence it out and eventually be just the cost to do business.

I wouldn't worry about running out of petro anytime soon. Trust me when I tell you this, there is more than enough to last another 500 years...that is if we are able to breath by then!

(visions of Mad Max)

It'll be colder.

If the Prius and Insight are any indication, it'll be pretty friggin boring.

Dan

How much oil is there, actually?

Boring indeed. Just like the proposed California emission control standards. This just a way to take away your P-car, boat, chain saw, light plane and the rest of your toys. It is not about saving fuel or the environment. It is just someone who knows better, telling you how to live.

all while they fly around their private jets, burning more fuel on each trip than we'll touch in a year.

It'll be great....

The people now in control of most of the oil reserves will have to stop ordering Rolls and LAmbos by the plane load, go back to living in tents and herding camels, we'll have no more reasons to try and control the middle east - which should take care of the root cause of terrorism and one way or another reduce the chances of WW3 by 50% ;-)

Seriously, though, I think we'll find workable alternatives WAY before we run out. There are those who think that much like natural gas reserves, the earth is a giant combustible "maker". I don't know, but I have faith in science - now there's a contradiction in terms !

Incandescent light bulbs v. fluorescent light bulbs, it cost more energy to use the incandescent but it costs more energy to make fluorescent ones. Save here to spend there.

I ran 93 octane in my car for 6 months and ran 87 for 6 months – the higher octane provided 4 extra miles per gallon but price increase made it a wash.

Either way, it will cost money on one end or the other; it will also create pollution on one end or the other. Fission or fusion power, either way it will require a bunch or energy to get it going (construction, materials, start-up). The benefits for reduced emissions or dependency may be achieved but not for some time.

The only way to reduce emissions or dependency is very very simple – just don’t use as much!

It’s the same way and maybe the only way to loose weight – just don’t eat as much! Plain and simple…

what do you think the world will be like when the oil fields are dry?

smaller

What do ya mean Lubby...I gotta cut out the Buffets.....