Question of the Week : culture|garage

The “Gas Crisis.” The “Gas Crunch.” The “Oil Problem.” Whatever you want to call it, it’s real in the economic realm, regardless of it’s causes. This week, the question is sober, straightforward, and without fluff-what are you doing, going to do, or have done in regards to the gas crisis?

Have you cut your driving back? Do you use biodiesel? Do you wake up in the middle of the night, covered in sweat, agonizing over how you’ll feed your machine this time next year?

For me, I’m the latter. I can’t understand (beyond the simple question of a falling dollar and weak US economy) why gasoline prices are simply skyrocketing. I can theorize about corporate greed, crazy politics both at home and abroad, and the general apathy of the average citizen as causes of the problem, but I don’t see what I can do about it. I don’t have enough facial fuzz to buy an old VW bus and fill it with french fry grease, nor am I rich enough to buy my own oil well, so what can I do?

Thus, I sweat it out. What say you?

via: Coxnewsweb, Floridahomeloan.com

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12 Responses to “Question of the Week”

Jeff Says:
June 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

Not too much. I’m looking at getting a bike, though. Not really to save on gas, though, but the difference in gas prices would offset the financing on the bike.
simian Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 1:32 am

‘91 CRX 40mpg
‘76 Honda 750 Four better mileage than the CRX, still fixing it so don’t know exactly how good yet
John Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 6:56 am

I actually give oil companies a break here. I don’t think this has much to do with them. Also, I know this affects the greater economy first and my commute last. I am in this for the long haul. I’m addicted to driving, so until $20 a gallon, I’m still driving for fun.

I have considered a motorcycle though, and this would be a great reason to by one sooner than later. The added benefit would be saving a bit of cash, and that would be nice, but not a big deal for me yet.
Cooper Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

I havent really done it out on paper, but I dont feel as though I save any money riding my bike…at 11 dollars a tank, Im much less conciencious about pissing away gas on that than I am in my truck. That being said, a normal night is 100+ miles on the bike.
flameJello Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 6:48 pm

I don’t feel too affected. My average mpg is around 30. And I actually hope this will encourage us to vote for a conservative energy policy for a change.

That said. I’m moving fairly close to work soon, so I’ll be bicycling to work anyways. So at that point I won’t care about gas being 11 dollars a gallon, and more concerned about my food costing triple what it was before.
Pat Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

$2.33 for regular??

That picture is pretty outdated. I’ll take 100 gallons please.
Jim Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

@Pat: Your criticism is duly noted.
Dave Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 11:51 am

Nothing, except telling the whiners all around me to just shut up about it. Deal with it, and move on. It’s almost entirely due to the dollar deflating, which was articially higher than it should have been for years. Life goes on.

Conversations like:
“What, you drive a Suburban 50 miles to work? Why would you do that in the first place?” Quit whining - NOW.

I truly have no pity in the face of pure stupidity…
Charley Says:
June 19th, 2008 at 10:27 am

North Dakota FTW
Pat Says:
June 19th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

Jim, I was just saying, $2.33 probably seemed like a lot when that picture was made, now it seems cheap.

Guess it’s proof it’s only going to go up.

I hope $5 gas isn’t a bargain in America in a few years…
iamchris Says:
June 19th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

I haven’t done anything. If I need to get from point A to point B and walking/biking/public transportation isn’t a good idea, I drive. Yes, it costs more but it sure beats walking 300 miles to and from college. It’s only about $50 extra per month if you drive a LOT, so it’s not something that should be breaking the bank for anyone. Stop being irresponsible with money if this is getting in the way of living paycheck to paycheck.
Stoney98 Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 12:48 am

In reality, the increase in gas is just an indicator of the pain to be felt going forward. The US’s consumer driven economy is running out of steam and the pain will increase as money starts to evaporate. $5 is cheap, and the only way it will “fix” itself is when people realize that consumption needs to decrease and more efficient usage of our resources becomes widespread. We’re burning at a higher rate then we can sustain. It’s only a matter of time…
What have I done? We’ve increased our recycling, started being more efficient when making trips in the car, staying out of the gas, and riding my bike to work. My lifestyle has marginally changed, and I actually have more money since we’re being more efficient with our resources.