The following is a response to an email from a friend, regarding this chain mail letter on the subject of boycotting Gas Prices!
----------------- see below for the original email -----------------------
You got it right, Bro.
Though I still believe there is a little inflation due to corporate greed, I won't expand on it here. Basically it is a 'buffering' of thier profit margin to assure they make a gain instead of a loss. It's like betting on the sure thing as well as the risk, and keeping a chip in your pocket for later. But, again, i won't go into it. I don't want to taint the good word that is the message of this letter. Though, I bet 10-1 that I'll ramble off at some point...
First off, I agree that these type of chain letters are just useless garbage. If you ask me, this is pure hearsay. The source is questionable at best, and cannot be taken to be a gospel of truth. It could be drummed up by competing companies to leverage sales in their favor. If this is the truth, it's an example of the corporations once again playing games with consumers. Or it could merely be generated by a really naive individual who doesn't concern themselves with factual studies or rational perspective. Also, as you stated, too much of what we know - and pass on unwittingly - is what we heard from someone else, without questioning or checking the source. So take it with a grain of salt, and do your own thorough research. It's a tough debate. I won't tell you what to believe or how to think, but I will share my opinions, and the facts I've found through research.
Gas prices are high due to WORLD demand, not just the demands of the local populace. For example, look at the price of milk. Though not a great example, it's one we can relate to and has similarities in our rate of consumption. As the consumption and demand for it increases, the supply decreases (though it is the same, there is less shares per person) and therefore the production must increase to match or outweigh the demand. This increased production is also going to raise the price to help pay for the increase in the efforts required to create the product (components, wages, storage, shipping, etc.), as well as to pay the taxes and levies involved. However, what then happens? If the demand is met, something interesting and frightening occurs. We [the consumer] realize - though the price is higher and we're already consuming more - that there is still (seemingly) enough available. To us that looks like there is a plentiful supply. We think to ourselves, "there must be more than enough to go around.". So, despite the price, we 'bite the bullet' and concede to the price. For some strange notion we simply give in (despite our groaning and complaining) and continue to purchase the produce. Soon, having become 'use to' the elevated cost, we continue to consume at a heightened rate, or even begin to consume yet more. The government's efforts to control this sort of growth is archaic and outdated; They increase taxes. Which this course of action, in turn, causes the price to increase to compensate. This is called inflation. This all creates a serious juxtaposition. Are you beginning to see the vicious cycle?
I am not a huge activist, and sometimes feel silly doing or saying things that would seem that way. I feel ashamed and hate to admit it, really. However, as often as I fault myself for not being more responsible, I find I am still not doing much to change my ways. Do I recycle? Sort of. Do I watch my consumption? Not really. But I should. Alternatively, and contradictorily, I actually do believe we all need to change the way we think about and do everything. We're just very stuck in our ways. We like what is familiar, easy and comfortable. I will try to do better.
We can't totally blame the government or the corporations, because in all seriousness WE ARE them. They're not run and regulated by robots or aliens (as far as we know), but by people.
It'll take a lot of effort and sacrifice by everyone on Earth, but all for the better good. It's time for another maturity growth-spurt of ourselves and our species. Time to begin figuring out how to merge and balance nature and technology. Are we not civilized? Honestly though, our efforts have been weak and misguided. We are a lazy, silly and confusing bunch, us humans.
Use Google Search and take a look at the global usage and pollution statistics. It truly is staggering!
Some other interesting sites;
http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php
http://www.worldometers.info/
http://www.geohive.com/default1.aspx
And again, to be honest, not only being less wasteful will help. A solution will come from everyone putting forth an effort, no matter how little (though preferably more), and sticking to it. Also, we need to begin utilizing a combination of new fuel and energy technologies with conservation. There is no one solution. It will be utilizing ALL of our knowledge and technology together that will overcome this problem. The effect of global organization and cooperation for a continued improvement could be profound and tremendously beneficial. Remember, it is OUR FAULT, and our problem to solve.
Ok, I could go on and on about this. I took the subject and ran off with it. I like sharing ideas and trying to figure things out. Told you I would ramble. So sue me. Better yet, post your opinion and we'll talk like civilized beings should; with civility and respect.
My final thought is to ask you to think about this; How much total energy did it require for you to read this email or for me to type it? The answer: More than we possibly realize.
Shawn
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Nathan Smith"
Subject: My opinion on the Gas war idea
Here's why I don't think this is a good idea for a few reasons; 1) It'll just shift power to the other companies, 2) Gas prices aren't controlled by supply, they're controlled by demand, and that's our fault, not the gas companies, 3) Gas prices rise due to shortages, which comes from us over-using gas.
Gas prices would probably decrease if the government could/would do something about Gas taxes AND if everyone started driving Hybrid cars. I just wish they weren't so damned expensive. BUT, we could REALLY use the lack of pollution. The amount America uses is staggering... and that's just our country, imagine the world. Read this article for some perspective: http://www.howstuffworks.com/question417.htm
Below is another article of what controls gas prices. Pass this on as well, so people are truly educated on the matter. The original chain letter was probably started by one of the smaller companies in hopes that the power would shift to them... just my opinion. There is a ton of more information that needs to be researched on the matter... too much of what we know is just our friends telling us something they "heard".
http://www.hoover.org/pubaffairs/dailyreport/archive/2827286.html
The proceeding letter that he is referring to has been deleted. It was a message called 'NEW GAS WAR' and is a chain form letter. It is SPAM. It is unfounded and full of factual errors. It's all subjective and only pushes an agenda of the writer. So, since it was long-winded and generally a rant, I deleted it from this post. You might be getting one, or one similar, in your email soon. It starts with something like this;
Form your own opinions. Discuss.
----------------- see below for the original email -----------------------
You got it right, Bro.
Though I still believe there is a little inflation due to corporate greed, I won't expand on it here. Basically it is a 'buffering' of thier profit margin to assure they make a gain instead of a loss. It's like betting on the sure thing as well as the risk, and keeping a chip in your pocket for later. But, again, i won't go into it. I don't want to taint the good word that is the message of this letter. Though, I bet 10-1 that I'll ramble off at some point...
First off, I agree that these type of chain letters are just useless garbage. If you ask me, this is pure hearsay. The source is questionable at best, and cannot be taken to be a gospel of truth. It could be drummed up by competing companies to leverage sales in their favor. If this is the truth, it's an example of the corporations once again playing games with consumers. Or it could merely be generated by a really naive individual who doesn't concern themselves with factual studies or rational perspective. Also, as you stated, too much of what we know - and pass on unwittingly - is what we heard from someone else, without questioning or checking the source. So take it with a grain of salt, and do your own thorough research. It's a tough debate. I won't tell you what to believe or how to think, but I will share my opinions, and the facts I've found through research.
Gas prices are high due to WORLD demand, not just the demands of the local populace. For example, look at the price of milk. Though not a great example, it's one we can relate to and has similarities in our rate of consumption. As the consumption and demand for it increases, the supply decreases (though it is the same, there is less shares per person) and therefore the production must increase to match or outweigh the demand. This increased production is also going to raise the price to help pay for the increase in the efforts required to create the product (components, wages, storage, shipping, etc.), as well as to pay the taxes and levies involved. However, what then happens? If the demand is met, something interesting and frightening occurs. We [the consumer] realize - though the price is higher and we're already consuming more - that there is still (seemingly) enough available. To us that looks like there is a plentiful supply. We think to ourselves, "there must be more than enough to go around.". So, despite the price, we 'bite the bullet' and concede to the price. For some strange notion we simply give in (despite our groaning and complaining) and continue to purchase the produce. Soon, having become 'use to' the elevated cost, we continue to consume at a heightened rate, or even begin to consume yet more. The government's efforts to control this sort of growth is archaic and outdated; They increase taxes. Which this course of action, in turn, causes the price to increase to compensate. This is called inflation. This all creates a serious juxtaposition. Are you beginning to see the vicious cycle?
I am not a huge activist, and sometimes feel silly doing or saying things that would seem that way. I feel ashamed and hate to admit it, really. However, as often as I fault myself for not being more responsible, I find I am still not doing much to change my ways. Do I recycle? Sort of. Do I watch my consumption? Not really. But I should. Alternatively, and contradictorily, I actually do believe we all need to change the way we think about and do everything. We're just very stuck in our ways. We like what is familiar, easy and comfortable. I will try to do better.
We can't totally blame the government or the corporations, because in all seriousness WE ARE them. They're not run and regulated by robots or aliens (as far as we know), but by people.
It'll take a lot of effort and sacrifice by everyone on Earth, but all for the better good. It's time for another maturity growth-spurt of ourselves and our species. Time to begin figuring out how to merge and balance nature and technology. Are we not civilized? Honestly though, our efforts have been weak and misguided. We are a lazy, silly and confusing bunch, us humans.
Use Google Search and take a look at the global usage and pollution statistics. It truly is staggering!
Some other interesting sites;
http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php
http://www.worldometers.info/
http://www.geohive.com/default1.aspx
And again, to be honest, not only being less wasteful will help. A solution will come from everyone putting forth an effort, no matter how little (though preferably more), and sticking to it. Also, we need to begin utilizing a combination of new fuel and energy technologies with conservation. There is no one solution. It will be utilizing ALL of our knowledge and technology together that will overcome this problem. The effect of global organization and cooperation for a continued improvement could be profound and tremendously beneficial. Remember, it is OUR FAULT, and our problem to solve.
Ok, I could go on and on about this. I took the subject and ran off with it. I like sharing ideas and trying to figure things out. Told you I would ramble. So sue me. Better yet, post your opinion and we'll talk like civilized beings should; with civility and respect.
My final thought is to ask you to think about this; How much total energy did it require for you to read this email or for me to type it? The answer: More than we possibly realize.
Shawn
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Nathan Smith"
Subject: My opinion on the Gas war idea
Here's why I don't think this is a good idea for a few reasons; 1) It'll just shift power to the other companies, 2) Gas prices aren't controlled by supply, they're controlled by demand, and that's our fault, not the gas companies, 3) Gas prices rise due to shortages, which comes from us over-using gas.
Gas prices would probably decrease if the government could/would do something about Gas taxes AND if everyone started driving Hybrid cars. I just wish they weren't so damned expensive. BUT, we could REALLY use the lack of pollution. The amount America uses is staggering... and that's just our country, imagine the world. Read this article for some perspective: http://www.howstuffworks.com/question417.htm
Below is another article of what controls gas prices. Pass this on as well, so people are truly educated on the matter. The original chain letter was probably started by one of the smaller companies in hopes that the power would shift to them... just my opinion. There is a ton of more information that needs to be researched on the matter... too much of what we know is just our friends telling us something they "heard".
http://www.hoover.org/pubaffairs/dailyreport/archive/2827286.html
The proceeding letter that he is referring to has been deleted. It was a message called 'NEW GAS WAR' and is a chain form letter. It is SPAM. It is unfounded and full of factual errors. It's all subjective and only pushes an agenda of the writer. So, since it was long-winded and generally a rant, I deleted it from this post. You might be getting one, or one similar, in your email soon. It starts with something like this;
It's basically this loverly gem of a letter that's been passed around since at least 1999. Ah, you gotta love propaganda spam nostalgia.
Subject: NEW GAS WAR
a new idea that WILL work
This was originally sent by a retired Coca Cola executive. It came from one of his engineer buddies who retired from Halliburton. It's worth your consideration...
Form your own opinions. Discuss.
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