[John Jorsett]

While oil consumption in most industrialized nations has either leveled off or declined, in the United States, oil demand has soared 38 percent since the first oil shock of 1973.

Well, the French get 80% of their electrical energy from nuclear plants. How about we try some of THAT, hmmm?

[El Gato]

oil demand has soared 38 percent since the first oil shock of 1973.

Amaziningly that very close to the amount our population has increased since 1973 (37%). Since the biggest oil users, vehicles, have become much efficient, I take that as meaning that our standard of living has increased considerably. Those countries whose oil demand has fallen, and who have not replaced all of that energy and more with some other type, such as nuclear, coal, etc, have experienced falling standards of living.