[marron]

When people envision a return to a bucolic pre-industrial world, they usually see themselves as somehow part of the protected elite living in the high tower overlooking the people they care so deeply about. They usually don’t envision themselves as one of the people slogging behind the water buffalo plowing the fields.

[Bryanw92]

I call it the “Thin Chrome Line”. You have all these people who hate Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Agriculture. They tell us to use less oil, refuse GMO food, eat organic, live small, etc.

But their life is not only made comfortable, it is actually made possible in a world of 7B+ people by these things. Their First World comfort makes them stupid, and it is only First World prosperity that allows idiots like them to survive and have a voice.

[reg45]

An Incoherent Blowhard.

[Leep]

Ten years ago Al Gore ...was 150 lighter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMztmooCUfU

[Leep]

150 lbs..that is

[reg45]

Fossil fuels made slavery economically non viable.

[headstamp 2]

The petrochemical industry is basically responsible for our modern way of life.

Far more to it than what goes in the gas tank.

Have had many conversations with average people who are absolutely clueless about how much “oil” is around us.

[headstamp 2]

[When seasonal warming does occur in the Northern Hemisphere, air conditioning is not only cool, it’s something most people take for granted, at least in hot southern states.]

A/C is basically responsible for the development of the modern south.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The distribution transformer on a pole two doors down spectacularly exploded last night around 7:30 PM. Horrors...we spent 11 hours without electricity. The house was dark, the gazillion LEDs weren't glowing, there was no hum of the myriad motors and fans throughout the house. Then the battery drained on the home security system and it started a steady beeping every 20 seconds informing me we were in a low battery condition. My quick-thinking wife finished the Macadamia Nut Ice Cream before it could melt...thanks for little blessings. The power crews are amazing...working through the black night in the backyards of suburban homes. We didn't hear a single thing all night long. Kudos to those guys who are working day and night 365 days a year to keep us safe and warm.

The power came on this morning at 6:30 AM, so our ordeal is over.

Great article. I make the same point to all who will listen - fossil fuels are embedded in everything you touch and use all day long.

Heres' one personal example. When I worked in China in the mid 70s, I saw a pit saw mill in one of the villages I was working in. Having been born and raised in the US, I had never heard of a "pit saw mill" before...but there they were being used in poor rural China. Before that, I had never really thought much about life without fossil fuels and electricity. It was a real eye-opener. Without fossil fuels, you wouldn't be buying 2x4s for $3 down at the lumber yard and plywood wouldn't even exist.

[SandRat]

Not Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, and the Greenies.

[onedoug]

“Camera lost down hole.”

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

No innovation developed by mankind has had more positive impact on quality of life than the use of fossil fuels – particularly oil. The wheel made mobility easier, but oil revolutionized transportation. The modern world is now dependent on oil for almost every aspect of our lives. Oil products not only allow people to move from one place to another quickly and comfortably, but our entire economy also depends on the transportation of commodities, raw materials, and food.

. . . and people wonder why John D. Rockefeller was fabulously wealthy. Rockefeller invented the refining and distribution of oil as a commodity.

. . . there is no debate that we all, including environmentalists, love the quality of life benefits gained from fossil fuels…and Big Oil.

Al Gore certainly proves that every time he pays his fuel bill.

[AdmSmith]

One word...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSxihhBzCjk

[KingofZion]

As an employee of big oil I approve this post.

Ironically it was the oil industry that bailed out the Obama economic policy by creating thousands of high paying jobs in North Dakota, Texas and elsewhere to boost US production. This increased production also helped to keep the price low for US consumers and also to keep inflation low, thus permitting the loose Fed policies.

[blueunicorn6]

I don’t love big oil.

I understand them paying their lawyers.

I was a bit surprised when they paid ours, too.

Lawyers and big oil.....screw them.