Discuss/explain idea 'addicted to oil'

[Bonez3]

President Bush made the remark a few years ago and ABC is investigating in an expose. I do not and did not understand the idea of it when it was first mentioned and still don't

I agree that we are 'dependent' on oil. That to me is a completely different statement. I am someone who supports the 'Green Idea' overall. But, Our vehicles by and large run on oil, our homes are mostly heated by oil and manufacturing is largely dependent on oil.

Is this an addiction?

So, should we stop driving, heating our homes and buying goods lagrely manufactured via oil. Completely unrealistic, more so impossible.

The term addiction is gravely misused here unless I'm missing something. What more can Americans do?

I own a vehicle that gets 36MPG and I'm energy conscious. But, I also commute 100 total miles to work everyday, live in Northeast and have family of 4 to buy for. How am I to become 'unaddcited'? Is it even up to me? Or, is this directed to corporations that can actually produce goods and services less oil dependent?

[Teller]

I think Bush talked about the addiction to FOREIGN oil. And he used that expression, I think, to plead his case to get congress to allow us to drill more domestically.

Obama, on the other hand, uses the expression "addicted to oil," and he uses the phrase to push more 'green' technologies.

That's how I understand it anyway. In both cases, I think they're just using exaggerated rhetoric to push their agendas.

[Bang]

It's also due to the fact that we absolutely know it is a finite resource, we've known it for 40 years, and instead of becoming more frugal and looking for alternatives, we did the exact opposite over the last 20 years. Bigger cars, less fuel efficiency, extravagant excess rather than making plans for the inevitable day when it becomes scarce.

In that regard, we very much act like a junky.

~Bang

[Baculus]

President Bush made the remark a few years ago and ABC is investigating in an expose. I do not and did not understand the idea of it when it was first mentioned and still don't

I agree that we are 'dependent' on oil. That to me is a completely different statement. I am someone who supports the 'Green Idea' overall. But, Our vehicles by and large run on oil, our homes are mostly heated by oil and manufacturing is largely dependent on oil.

Is this an addiction?

So, should we stop driving, heating our homes and buying goods lagrely manufactured via oil. Completely unrealistic, more so impossible.

The term addiction is gravely misused here unless I'm missing something. What more can Americans do?

I own a vehicle that gets 36MPG and I'm energy conscious. But, I also commute 100 total miles to work everyday, live in Northeast and have family of 4 to buy for. How am I to become 'unaddcited'? Is it even up to me? Or, is this directed to corporations that can actually produce goods and services less oil dependent?

Let's examine the word, "addicted."

1 : to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively <addicted to gambling>

2 : to cause addiction to a substance in (a person or animal)

As Americans, I believe we habitually use fossil fuels, and many of us approach green energy in the same fashion -- fear and apprehension -- as an addict when it comes to the idea of quitting cold turkey.

People fear and often resist change.

To an certain extent, our addiction has been one of necessity, since alternative-fueled vehicles haven't been largely available here in the States. Of course, that does not mean it shouldn't change.

I think it is up to both the individual to make decisions in their personal use of fossil fuels, in addition to corporations providing these alternative options since, in a certain fashion, they are the "dealers" of this addition (and have kept us addicted for a long time due to profit making on their part).

[Toe Jam]

It's also due to the fact that we absolutely know it is a finite resource, we've known it for 40 years, and instead of becoming more frugal and looking for alternatives, we did the exact opposite over the last 20 years. Bigger cars, less fuel efficiency, extravagant excess rather than making plans for the inevitable day when it becomes scarce.

In that regard, we very much act like a junky.

~Bang

We can run out of oil?

How is that possible?

[Baculus]

I think Bush talked about the addiction to FOREIGN oil. And he used that expression, I think, to plead his case to get congress to allow us to drill more domestically.

Obama, on the other hand, uses the expression "addicted to oil," and he uses the phrase to push more 'green' technologies.

That's how I understand it anyway. In both cases, I think they're just using exaggerated rhetoric to push their agendas.

In the case of Obama, I believe alternative technologies are VERY important, and I am pleased that he is pushing this direction.

Consider my little pokey town of Mount Airy. As far as I am concerned, all the extra land along Route 70 should have windmills: I just keep thinking that every small town could save heaps of money if they installed civically owned solar and wind sources of energy production.

In this day and age, it's a shame.

[twa]

I think a better way to put it is we are addicted to cheap energy and our lifestyles reflect it...got a wakeup call coming

Bac, nobody's stopping ya'll from throwing away money(well maybe Kennedy,but he's a problem of your own creation;))

[Teller]

In the case of Obama, I believe alternative technologies are VERY important, and I am pleased that he is pushing this direction.

Consider my little pokey town of Mount Airy. As far as I am concerned, all the extra land along Route 70 should have windmills: I just keep thinking that every small town could save heaps of money if they installed civically owned solar and wind sources of energy production.

In this day and age, it's a shame.

I don't disagree with that.

I'd also assert that it is VERY important to drill for, and use, the oil we have. Maybe we could reduce the Middle Eastern grip on our gonadical region.

[Hubbs]

We can run out of oil?

How is that possible?

I honestly can't tell... was that sarcastic?

[sacase]

Just curious, when are we expected to run out of oil?

[twa]

Just curious, when are we expected to run out of oil?


Depends on who you ask...This guy says the peak was in 06:)

http://www.oilempire.us/peaked.html

I think they are idiots,but then I believe in abiotic oil so who knows who is the fool :silly: