More chain letter...

[c9]

Another copy of the damned "gas is expensive, boo-hoo" letter today. I do feel for those who have no choice but to own a car and buy gas to work and feed their kids, and so forth. But those aren't the people who own computers, have high-speed internet, and forward chain letters, in my experience. Anyway. This time it was on an actual mailing list -- a GLBT issues mailing list actually, so rather rudely irrelevant content -- and I was able to respond to all guilt-free:

Hi everyone

This chain letter is just a made-up complaint about gas prices, and nothing has actually "been calculated." If you don't buy gas on that day, you'll probably just buy more gas the day before or the day after.

I suggest we all start thinking about the bigger picture: Oil is running out. Many experts agree we have reached what's called "Peak Oil," which means that we've used half the oil on Earth. Why is halfway a problem? Because we're still using more every year -- to the extent that it will ALL be gone in less than 35 years. So you should expect gas prices to keep on going up, not down. Individual gas stations are not screwing you, they're being screwed from above by the basic facts of the industry.

It's a tough cost for many, but higher gas prices do encourage less car driving (less pollution) and more research into better energy replacement (less oil needs). I consider those to be very good things.

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

Cam

Another list writer replied with this response, which is also nice:

Consider this:

If gasoline prices remain high, people will be that much more likely
to purchase fuel efficient vehicles, to plan their car trips more
efficiently, to car-pool, and where possible to use public
transportation or to walk or bike. This will decrease the emission
of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Both our ozone layer and
our non-renewable supplies of petroleum will last longer. The
overall health of the population will be improved due to cleaner air
and more exercise. We won't have to pay as much in taxes for road
maintenance because fewer vehicles on the roads will mean less wear
and tear. The rates of death and injury due to automobile accidents
will drop as well.

I could go on and on, but I think by now you see my point!

Feel free to send this on to anyone who's sent you the message re: gas prices.

I hope this thing dies a quick death, even though it seems unlikely.

Comments

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Sorry. I didn't explain that properly. It wasn't that public transit wasn't available - it was that it was the ONLY reasonable option.

How did you notice that OC Transpo went on strike? Don't tell me that you've ever lowered yourself to public transit since getting your car? ;-)

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

Its ok I got what you meant, just saying that the opposite of people using less public transportation happened here.

What do you mean "lowered" myself? I have take the bus at least once or twice since I got my car... Actually that happened when I was a co-op student in winter so its not like I could easily ride my bike @ -30C. We ended up carpooling with a guy who also worked at the same place. We gave him gas money instead of paying for a bus pass so he was happy with that.

People actually were being friendly. People who still go to the bus stops and people in cars would stop to pick them up and give them rides.

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

I'm just amused by the irony of someone who lives 17 miles from work and never takes public transit talking about getting people thinking about the impact of their gas use, and saying that the only way to make a difference is to convice people not to drive.

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

What I do is irrelevant. I'm just saying that boycotting the pumps for 1 day wouldn't do anything, you would have to make it in *weeks* timeframe.

Its not that I *wouldn't* take public transportation its just that there is nothing decent available 17 miles from work. By car its 25 minutes, by bus its 1.5 hours. Ask my wife is she is willing to look after the baby for another 2 hours a day by herself. ;-) Besides, you will notice that I haven't been complaining about gas prices...

We are actually saving lots of gas $$ because only one of us is driving to work now and that person is using the more fuel efficient vehicle so we haven't been taking a hit at all.

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

I didn't say that you were complaining about gas prices, I said that you were talking about getting people to think about their gas use and chose alternative transportation options. Hearing someone who CHOSE to live 17 miles from work in an area without reasonable public transportation options talk about how other people should change their habits is just funny to me - that's all.

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

Oh ok. But I'm not saying that other people *should* change their habits, I'm just saying to actually make an impact on the oil companies bottom line, they would have to boycott for more than a day.

Also, I chose to live there because I can actually afford to buy the gas I need to run the car I have. If other people aren't as smart, thats not my problem... ;-)

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, I keep forgetting that I shouldn't worry about the larger impact of the choices I make so long as I have the cash to cover the immediate cost to me.

You'll forgive me if I don't have time to continue this conversation, I'm going to spend the rest of my morning looking for a patch of rainforest to buy and burn down - you know, because I can afford to. :-).

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Welcome to America...