kokoda wrote:4.) The death of the SUV
Waterthrush wrote:Yes, there's more Bad and Ugly than good, but I'm not discounting "the good" of Peak Oil.
My #1 good so far is the Silence of the Air Conditioners. I live in a townhome development and I use my small deck a lot. EVERY year so far, the ACs have fired up starting in May. Particularly that of one of my next-door neighbors, who seemed to keep hers going day and night, even if the temp outside was 65F. Now, I know it gets up to 100 F around here - it may be getting near that high today - and I do want those people who "need" the AC to have it, particularly the elderly and the infirm.
But, a little more hardiness in those of us who are healthy wouldn't hurt! Sure, since this heat wave will continue for 4 days, I may turn it on in the afternoon today or tomorrow. But maybe not - right now I'm following "passive cooling" guidelines, opening up the house early this morning and then closing it down and drawing shades as the sun gets serious.
And the quiet! The quiet is WONDERFUL. I had breakfast on my deck this morning without thunderous air conditioners blasting on either side. The temperature was a comfortable 75F. I listened to rustling leaves and birds singing. This to me is a very real benefit of peak oil. I look forward to more of it.
#2. Sane Highway Speeds I've noticed that trucks are slowing down to 65 mph or below, and many cars are following suit. Driving is becoming distinctly less stressful, and the stress will continue to decrease as drivers adjust their expectations about arrival times and stop rewarding themselves for beating the clock. "Easy Driver" - that's the motto of the future. Again, a real, though immeasurable, benefit.
How about contributing your positives from Peak Oil so far? I have several more. Sure, I know the negatives - they've been explored here in great detail - but how about the pluses, and not those in the future, but the ones we are experiencing so far?
Waterthrush wrote: Now, I know it gets up to 100 F around here - it may be getting near that high today - and I do want those people who "need" the AC to have it, particularly the elderly and the infirm.
But, a little more hardiness in those of us who are healthy wouldn't hurt!
emailking wrote:So, when it's 100 degrees out, you don't want the average Joe using AC? I wouldn't agree with that. In today's homes and apartments that's fairly miserable unless you sit in the bathtub.
Not trying to imply this ability will always exist, but while it's here, might as well use it.
KillTheHumans wrote:kokoda wrote:4.) The death of the SUV
Whats the deal with SUV's for some people? Mine sits in the driveway with 33.5 mpg showing on the fuel meter computer, better for around town mileage than any other vehicle I've ever owned including a Suzuki Esteem and a chevy Metro.
What in the WORLD makes better mileage, better winter handling ( AWD ), more room, more comfort and more power a BAD thing?
Oh, about $10 grand or so less for something with roughly the same room, mileage, and power.KillTheHumans wrote:What in the WORLD makes better mileage, better winter handling ( AWD ), more room, more comfort and more power a BAD thing?
Professor Membrane wrote: Not now son, I'm making ... TOAST!
Waterthrush wrote:My #1 good so far is the Silence of the Air Conditioners.
pstarr wrote:KTH is a contrarian and he is here to ruin your fun, make you doubt your commonsense and obvious truths, and finally bring you down as low as he is.
pstarr wrote:If you are truly ingenious and dogged, you too can have KTH banned. But that requires a Zen-Like Patience (ZLP) and great skill. Try it. It can be fun
mos6507 wrote:How does a shortage of liquid fuels immediately equate to people turning off their air conditioners?
I thought it was more about "going green".Waterthrush wrote:mos6507 wrote:How does a shortage of liquid fuels immediately equate to people turning off their air conditioners?
mos6507 I *think* folks are trying to save some cash by reducing their electricity bill so they can afford gas.
Professor Membrane wrote: Not now son, I'm making ... TOAST!
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