Gas: The good 'ol days 2228

Rod Speed

Yeah, thinking about it, probably true, because we (the US) really got into WW1 rather late, and didn't stay all that long anyway.

Not sure I agree with that, but I suppose we are free to agree to disagree on that one.

Hmmm.. okay, so both europe and US had the same housing boom, but it was different in configuration and europe's included a lot of rebuilding not net new buildings. Wouldn't you agree that the US is more vulnerable to oil shocks given our sprawl, plus the sheer fact that we are bigger with longer distances (meaning more driving around to get places)?

Yes, they definetly do public transpo better than we do. But don't get in a car with anyone over there - you take your life in your own hands - they drive like maniacs (or at least my girlfriend does). ;-)

Switching subjects somewhat, my DF and I were talking tonight about this topic, and we touched on the subject of the floundering Japanese economy and high dissolution rates among their business men. I got to wondering if maybe if we don't have quite the doomsday peak oil scenario, perhaps we will need to struggle with similar reality sometime soon in the US? By that I mean the transition from expecting continual rampant growth as our God given "right" as Americans, to acceptance of a slowed or flat economy. It has been hard for the Japanese to accept their slowed economic growth.

Sure, but see comment above (about configuration - where and how the housing is spaced, not just that it's built).

But it is probably true that there may be a boom - not necessarily in new construction, but in retrofitting what exists to make it more energy efficient. Which would ultimately be a very good thing.

If we go back to horses, yuck, they poop too much. :-)

jen