3 ms·

There was a nice comic that expressed things in terms of horse-power or "invisible slaves" working for you. When your enjoyment requires the equivalent of thou

There was a nice comic that expressed things in terms of horse-power or "invisible slaves" working for you. When your enjoyment requires the equivalent of thousands working for you, and it is from a resource that is finite and non-renewable, then it is probably wasteful. Found it: https://www.stuartmcmillen.com/comic/energy-slaves/ https://www.stuartmcmillen.com/comic/energy-slaves/

prottog 4y ago
Then it's a beautiful thing that modern life allows even those of humble means to enjoy the comforts for which kings of old would have needed thousands of actual slaves. Every resource is finite and non-renewable considering even the sun will go out at some point. Let's not bemoan the use of fossil-sourced energy until the point we level up in technology and can master less polluting sources. After all, fossil fuels have fostered more human life than climate change will ever destroy.
- ornornor 4y ago
  > fossil fuels have fostered more human life than climate change will ever destroy. That remains to be seen. And Big Oil worked very hard for decades at smothering any effort to develop less polluting alternative energy sources. They’re still doing it by suing the EU for mandating laws to reduce fossil fuel usage.
danuker 4y ago
I am not worried about fossil fuel running out. That is because, as it becomes more limited in supply, it becomes more expensive. This will force people into reducing its use. Companies producing more efficient or alternatively-powered technology will gain the most. So, the market would address this. On top of this, OPEC playing games is also prompting importers to find alternatives. But I am indeed worried about the impact on the environment.
- prottog 4y ago
  > as it becomes more limited in supply, it becomes more expensive. Not only that, current "proven reserves" are based on what's economical to extract. As the price of oil rises, we will find more oil.
  - jean_tta 4y ago
    With ever decreasing EROI though

prottog 4y ago

Then it's a beautiful thing that modern life allows even those of humble means to enjoy the comforts for which kings of old would have needed thousands of actual slaves. Every resource is finite and non-renewable considering even the sun will go out at some point. Let's not bemoan the use of fossil-sourced energy until the point we level up in technology and can master less polluting sources. After all, fossil fuels have fostered more human life than climate change will ever destroy.

ornornor 4y ago
> fossil fuels have fostered more human life than climate change will ever destroy. That remains to be seen. And Big Oil worked very hard for decades at smothering any effort to develop less polluting alternative energy sources. They’re still doing it by suing the EU for mandating laws to reduce fossil fuel usage.

danuker 4y ago

I am not worried about fossil fuel running out. That is because, as it becomes more limited in supply, it becomes more expensive. This will force people into reducing its use. Companies producing more efficient or alternatively-powered technology will gain the most. So, the market would address this. On top of this, OPEC playing games is also prompting importers to find alternatives. But I am indeed worried about the impact on the environment.

prottog 4y ago
> as it becomes more limited in supply, it becomes more expensive. Not only that, current "proven reserves" are based on what's economical to extract. As the price of oil rises, we will find more oil.
- jean_tta 4y ago
  With ever decreasing EROI though