Bag of Randomness

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5 Responses to Bag of Randomness

  1. Alex Costa says:

    I remember reading some time around 1996 that we were going to run out of oil within the next 25 years. I highly doubt that to be the case since that would be 9 years from now, but I have always been under the assumption that we'd run out of oil in our lifetimes. I'll be happy to know I'm wrong if that's the case though.

  2. John15nlt says:

    I dont think we will run out in my lifetime, next 60 years, but expect that at some point it will become to expensive to use the way we do now, and when I say run out of oil I mean run out of carbon based fuels, oil, gas, coal and so on.

    When we reach the point that what we are doing to the enviorment to get it out or the financial cost is too high, we will start to devolpe other sources, solar, wind, and a safer nucleear.

    as a side note, our demise may come sooner if we dont stop turning food into fuel.

  3. Matt H. says:

    It's very clear from all sides of the political spectrum that oil is limited resource which we'll run out of at some point in the future. The problem, as I see it, is that both sides have politicized the issue to such a degree that many believe the oil/clean energy discussion is an either/or issue. The right says that we have enough oil to continue current usage and production for another 200 years; therefore, let's cross the alternative-sources-of –energy-bridge when we get there. The left tells everyone that oil is running out in the next couple of decades, so clean energy now is really the only feasible (and eco-friendly, though there are significant environmental drawbacks to even the "clean energy" alternatives ) option. I'm neither Republican nor Democrat. What is the problem with continuing to use the oil available, all the while seeking to explore alternative ways of powering our world?

    • Geeding says:

      Thanks for your thoughts, Matt, and I think you have a very valid and great question. I have nothing to back up my answer with sources or facts, but let me take a stab at it.

      In a way, I think that's the stage we are in now, that we are using what's available and exploring alternatives. However, I think those that are against exploratory oil drilling and very pro alternative energy, are like that because it's a way to exert pressure on the finding and using alternative energy. I'm thinking their thinking is . . . if we don't make it a priority now and move away from our oil addiction, we'll never make an effort to do so. I'm not saying that I support that view, but I think that's why some folks are very against opening up new areas for exploratory drilling, they fear opening up new drilling areas will just keep us from trying to find another energy source.

      In a way, it reminds me of the U.S. rubber shortage from WWII. If I remember correctly, 90% of our rubber came from an area that was now under Japanese control. Because of that pressure, scientists were forced to be innovative and eventually make synthetic rubber cheaper and more plentiful. Without the pressure to move away from raw rubber, synthetic rubber would more than likely not have been mainstream for a long, long time, which happens to be a superior product to the raw stuff.

      Like I said, I don't fave sources or other data to support my answer, but that's my stab at it.

      I see you are an ACU student. I always thought they had the better looking women compared to the other universities. Good choice on your part. Make sure to eat some Sharon Allen's for me.

  4. dan says:

    Within the last year I've read articles by respected "oil analysts" alarmingly describing how the end is near and then reassuringly that we have a century's worth left. I think calculating oil reserves has a speculative element to it.
    The best way to encourage investors and researchers to move into alternative forms of energy is to raise the price of it, permanently. Europe has put a high tax on the stuff to push people into public transportation. Whenever the gallon goes up here, after a few weeks the news stories about drivers parking their guzzlers and shopping for hybrids begin to proliferate.
    What bothers me is the green house gas association with burning oil. For years I have read the dissenting views on global warming and hoping the scientists are dead wrong. Sadly, I can't accept there is a secret worldwide conspiracy by the world's scientists. Worse, one of the three hallmarks of green house gas warming is that overnight temperatures will rise the most…and they have been. During the 1980 heat wave, the overnight lows never reached 80. Last year, the overnight low reached 80 or above on more than 20 occasions.

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