Three Cheers for $4 Gasoline

Of course you must keep in mind that I am a retired engineer, living in the Smoky Mountains, who drives 10 miles to town once a week for groceries; these facts make it possible for me to develop a Solomon like understanding of reality from an Archimedean point of view.

Quickie from Wiki—“An Archimedean point is a hypothetical vantage point from which an observer can objectively perceive the subject of inquiry, with a view of totality. The ideal of "removing oneself" from the object of study so that one can see it in relation to all other things, but remain independent of them, is described by a view from an Archimedean point.”

Does $4 gas signify the beginning of the ending of a civilization of adolescent life styles divorced from the reality principle? Does it presage the beginning of the ending of a self-absorbed and largely fictional pattern of social behavior?

I doubt it but I can dream can’t I?

I listened to NPR interviewing the mayor of Houston Texas speaking about anticipated efforts for completely remodeling the living and cultural standards of the citizens of Houston in anticipation of creating a city where citizens might work, shop, and live within walking distances of shops, supermarkets, and jobs.

Reality seldom challenges salient points of hero-systems largely because the earth has been so bountiful; natural bounty has thus far allowed Americans to live largely in a world of playful fantasy that may be beginning to crumble around a commercial-military hero-system of fantasy.

Socrates was sentenced to death by hemlock because he tried to awaken the youth of Athenian society to this very reality-principle; he died a hero in the eyes of history because he asked the youth to question their own hero-system.

Will $4 gas lead you to question your own commercial-military hero-system?

Considering my limited cognitive ability lately, forgive me if I totally misunderstood your post..My take on this?
Nothing is all good or all bad. $4 gas is really hard right now because unlike you (or me, even), most people have to drive to get to work, to their medical care, etc. That coupled with rising food prices is pushing people to the edge.
Now, the good to this (although it'll be in "the long run" catagory), is that maybe, just maybe, we can push this oil dependent monkey off our backs (no offense, Curious) and start seriously looking at cleaner, healthier forms of energy. I know the "excuse de jour" is that China and India are using oil like crazy and until they get they're acts together, we don't have to either..Lame. We have to start doing our part now. Other countries will see that it's possible and, since most are just at the beginning really of the oil dependent way of life, it will be easier for them to turn this around.
The soap box is now open..

P.S..
Just my opinion, but I believe the "Archimedian" vantage point is truely hypothetical, as one cannot observe without affecting the observed (I can BS with the best of 'em)..

Okay I am probably not getting any of this right now...my brain is just about fried after being out in the heat.

I live in Houston and there are many areas where you can live, work, shop, just about everything by walking. If I was able to, I could walk just a short distance and buy just about anything I need. My neighbor has started doing that, since it's all close and there's no need to waste gas.

I don't necessarily see this as something being forced on to people...life is about adapting...adapting doesn't have to mean giving in.

Well I just re-read what I wrote and it doesn't make much sense to me lol but what the heck I'm gonna post it anyway.

I think what he's trying to say is maybe the rising cost of gas and everything else in between will cause Americans and people all over the world to rethink the possibility of a more simple, back to basics type of life.

I for one welcome that just as I am welcoming the idea of a scooter to save on gas. lol Hmmm, maybe a horse? We have horses here. lol

Yeah...

All of us here have neurological disorders in one way or another so...

Moose frightened of big words.

And doesn't drive or own a car.

Or can do anything to fix it.

... the price of gas, that is.

You know what? I guess since the Chinese are having gas troubles too. There might not be as many firework sent over. I heard that

Sounds like you are assuming that we have not already started to think or live a more simple, back to basics type of life.

Unfortunately, during the last 6 years, I have had MS. Due to that, I have lost a job that was previously in walking distance (although I required my vehicle for transportation for home visits during work hours, I used to walk home for lunch and back). As I've said, I also am unable to walk the 2 miles to the grocery store and back.

I do not have the balance to ride on a scooter ( or a horse!).

We have, for years, attempted to do multiple errands at the same time to save gasoline. We do not make frequent, out of town trips to shop. My DH uses his motorcycle to go places, when possible.

We also heat our home with a wood stove quite a bit in the winter. Not solely, but it keeps our bills down.

Using less gasoline is not always simply a matter of "rethinking". Sometimes, this is already the way we think. Conserving the earth's resources is an important issue, even when it's impact on our pocketbook is not as great.

But, some simpler things that I used to do are no longer possible for me. Due to MS, I live less simply than I did in the past. Due to the high cost of gas, I pay more for it.

I have already been making responsble decisions. Now, I may also need, for financial reasons, to make the difficult choice to see my family (who live 1200 miles away) less frequently, because I cannot afford the gas to go visit.

I repeat what I said in my previous post: I cannot join anyone in rejoicing about the high cost of gasoline. There is no reason that others cannot choose to live more simply, even without the hardship of $4.00 per gallon gasoline.

Disguising a hardship as something to rejoice about continues to make no sense to me. Cheering about that, Coberst, is, IMO, simply being insensitive to others.

~ Faith

Not at all. I was simply trying to explain what I thought the OP was trying to say. If anyone understands the hardships people with ms goes through it would be me as I take care of Jim who can't walk at all. You know this. I was not assuming anything about anyone.

Besides a horse or scooter would also be out of the question for us too since I can't figure out how to attach Jim to it.

sorry, I lost that a long time ago... it began to fray under Nixon, and shredded and scattered to the winds under Rayguns/Bush Sr.

after Bush Jr. started betraying the Constitution, I sold out, packed up, and left the US.

so, I've no hero-worshipfulness left in stock.



PS: gas is nearing $6.00 a gallon where *I* live...as you can imagine, we don't drive much.