Baffling

I had an interesting lunch today with some of our X-ray Diffraction customers that are visiting us in Madison for some training. These guys will be using our instruments aboard an international geological research vessel. Their work includes endeavors such as drilling and running analysis on the underwater crater left from the asteroid believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs. Very cool stuff if you are into science, the pursuit of truth, and such things.

Our discussion was all over the place, and our guests displayed unique insight into a variety of fascinating topics that were woven through the fabrics of science, society and humanity in general. Before long the conversation turned to the economics of oil and gas prices. If anyone does, these gentlemen have their fingers right on the pulse of the stark geological facts concerning peak oil production. One of them was actually the diffraction scientist aboard an oil platform at a previous job. However, when I used the phrase "peak oil" in conversation, I may as well have said: "Great Googly-Moogly!" The consensus among them was that the blood being spilled over high gas prices was strictly on the hands of both the EPA for shutting down refineries that were out of compliance, and the oil companies for failing to invest in a dated and crumbling infrastructure. I suggested that it wouldn't be good business for oil companies to pay for modern and expensive equipment that won't be in operation for long enough for them to see any return. It is our relationship with oil that is becoming dated and crumbling. One of our guests replies: "No, they are just greedy bastards."

Perhaps, but greedy bastards know where they have to spend money in order to continue making it. Just like the president of the United States in a bad Jerry Bruckheimer film doesn't want the people to know that they will all die soon at the hands of aliens or whatever, big oil won't scare their employees with startling tales of irretrievable remnants of oil. Our refusal to accept the coming end of an energy era will ultimately make the transition all the more painful. Nobody gives a fuck.

I was baffled by their obtuseness on the subject when juxtaposed against their knowledge of most everything else. Even with unfettered access to applicable facts, people will look the other way when facing the reality of the coming situation. Baffling.