Newsweek Story

People often believe what they want to believe - forget reality.

 

Not something you'll likely see blasted across the headlines, but nice to know that some corporate media is willing to touch the subject with a decent amount of thought.

 

Wow -- that was said in NewsWeek ?? Color me impressed. It has been years since I have read any mainstream 'news' media. I didn't know they had it in them.

 

Kudos to NW!

I would think that 15 years of super-cheap gasoline is the main reason why the Dinosaur-3 (Ford/GM/DC) has gotten a "pass" for their utter lack of innovation and conservation. I think $3-$4/gallon gas prices will certainly hurt most people short term, but if most of the next generation of cars get 40+MPG and ride 500+ miles/tank, the gas prices will be much less important than they are now.

I also believe an alteration in the American appreciation of cars needs to occur. Right now, most Americans believe "Bigger is Better". I'd like to see an attitude of "Less is More"; that the "coolest" cars would be the most aerodynamic, quiet, and fuel efficient.

 

Problem is that gas is starting to come down, for how long I'm not sure but I think the oil companies have made a ton of $$$ and will now bring it back down for awhile so people can get back to buying the tanks! Remember people will forget about high prices just as we forgot in the 70's.IMHO Kevin

 

Yes, it is going to come down - according to today's paper,

ALL THE WAY DOWN TO $2.60 !!!!!! OMG !!!! Two-Sixty?!!?!?!

That's the problem. "down" is such a relative term. The days of $1.50 gas in the USA are LONG LONG gone......(long sigh)

 

Hi All:

___In terms of coming down, it is a relative price drop sure but nobody can escape Peak Oil if in fact it has arrived or will arrive soon enough. I was just reading a site setup by Chevron explaining some of the unknowns and I know both BP and Shell senior level management have made statements regarding declining production as well as today’s production not meeting demand over the long term. Long term for these guys is 5 years out!

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

 

Larry I know what you mean but talk to some people and it will be ok with them if it gets down in the 2.25 - 2.40 range. I think it will as the public is crying and the oil companies know what they have done and IF they can just get the public to quit complaning "everybody will be happy". NO thats not me talking I think it's alot of the general public.Kevin

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by texashchman

Larry I know what you mean but talk to some people and it will be ok with them if it gets down in the 2.25 - 2.40 range. I think it will as the public is crying and the oil companies know what they have done and IF they can just get the public to quit complaning "everybody will be happy". NO thats not me talking I think it's alot of the general public.Kevin

I agree with that. It's really amazing how short our collective memory is. Just three or so years ago, you know people were saying, "If gas ever hits $2 a gallon, I'm hanging up the keys!" and last year those same people said, "If gas ever hits $3 a gallon, I'm hanging up the keys!"

Now those people will be in the crowd who "is happy" that gas will be down to $2.25
Amazing world we live in, huh?

 

To some degree, I really don't care if no one ever remembers. If we slowly boil the water until it gets to $4/gallon and nobody complains about the price because it seems normal, then fine. What it WILL do is alter the equasion as far as the true cost of ownership so anyone willing to run the numbers will still be swayed to purchase vehicles that get good fuel economy. May folks in Europe think $4-5/gallon is a really good deal, not expensive at all. Does that mean they buy H2's? Nope, they just automatically purchase vehicles that are fuel efficient and everybody's happy.