Weapons of Mass Distraction

The end of the ancient sun July 23, 2007

By ancient sun I’m talking about petroleum, otherwise known as oil or hydrocarbons. Whether you want to admit it or not, we’re running out of it.

Sure, there are technologies that could help us in the transition from type 0 to type 1, but without investment it isn’t going to happen.

Think for a moment about the role oil plays in our lives. Beyond generating power and locomotion, it’s also responsible for a large amount of our food supply. That should scare the ever loving shit out of you.

Comedian Robert Newman puts on a show called “The History of Oil” and it’s a fascinating tale. Every bit of it is absolutely true. One tidbit is that the first British invasion in WW I was Iraq. That’s right, Iraq.

He also lets on to the monetary choice of trade. Switching from the dollar to the euro would cripple the United States. Our money is fiat anyhow, not backed by a damned thing. Even that is highly suspect since the Federal Reserve System was formed in the early part of the 20th century by the very banks who we need protection from.

So what can we do? There are lots of things, from making your home more energy efficient, driving more energy efficient vehicles.

I plan to electrify a vehicle. I’m aware that hydrocarbon fuels will be used to generate the electricity used but it’s much more efficient on that scale than me burning gasoline to power a vehicle. I’d like to see grey water recycling too, since that means less water to pump in and less to pump out. And ultimately I’d love to tap into wind and solar power.

Another thing I’m starting to do is grow my own food stuff, though this year it’s just tomatoes and squash. Next year I’ll expand that a bit. Oh I know, it takes energy to grow food but mostly it just takes water and a little TLC.

We just have to take stock of our lives, and tune out the constant drone of mass consumerism.