Just Two Miles More

I mentioned earlier about how technology doesn't equal energy. It may enable it, allow us to use it differently, better, more efficiently, what have you...but technology doesn't create energy. It's so easy to look around and see that the more efficiently we build shit, the more shit we build...and the more energy we use.

I had no idea that this concept has been around for over 150 years. It's formulated into what's known as Jevons paradox. This guy Jevons saw it as soon as the first engines were supplanted by the second generation engines -- more efficient, yes...but that only spurred more engine building and more coal use.

Now look at the billions billions! we're blowing to subsidize more car purchases with this goddamned Consumer Assistance Recycle and Save Act. Reward those who made poor fuel economy choices in the past with rebates to consume more.

Remember how, in 2006, I had asked the Dodge salesman what the mpg rating was on a Stratus, and he had no idea; so much so, he didn't even know where to look for it. This was the state of the Merikan Consumer not three years ago; no consideration for these things. Now today we're rewarding those same shitheads who bought without regard to efficiency (buying for bling) to go out and even if you upgrade just 2 mpg more, here's a bucket of money.

Don't think for a second this nation is going to magically, overnight, reduce it's consumption of non-renewable resources as a consequence of this ridiculous act. It isn't about reducing energy and it never has been; it's only about selling more cars. A guy trading in his 97 Yukon with 334,000 miles (28,000 miles per year) for a Jetta? If there's a business need to be driving a SUV but it can be performed by a Jetta -- why the fuck was he driving a Yukon in the first place? And now I, the guy buying the Civic from the start and who drives it less than 2,000 miles a year, I get to fund his new car purchase?

I sincerely hope, call it Schadenfreude if you like, that each of these buyers remain in perpetual automotive debt. Permanently.

This is madness, and another reason I hope this whole economy comes crashing down around you.