[extropy-chat] FWD [U-Tapao] Re: IS IT TIME TO RATION FUEL?

[BillK]

On 8/22/05, Brett Paatsch wrote:
> 
> That we have "No choice but to use oil" seems like arrant economic
> nonsense to me.  It doesn't parse even economics 101 level of thinking.
> 
> Who the heck is "we" in that sentence?  Price affects demand.
> 
> There ARE substitutes to using oil.  Personally we can reduce our demand
> for it if its price becomes prohibitive vis a vis alternatives and ditto
> macroeconomically.
> 

In Europe the gas price at the pumps is still around 2.5 times higher
than US. So I would think the US has a long way to go before panic
measures should be sought.

Europe still has traffic jams full of cars burning that expensive petrol.

True, the cars are generally smaller than in  the US and more public
transportation is available and used by Europeans. But Europeans won't
give up their cars any more than Americans will. Cars are still
marketed here on performance. 'Be more powerful - overtake the weaker
guy in front!'
As though it mattered in the slightest when you are both in the same
traffic jam. :)

Fairly trivial lifestyle changes will easily enable the US to cope
with higher gas prices for many years yet.

BillK