assassin_696

Without a doubt.

As the demand in China and India (mainly China) increases, I don't think OPEC will care too much about how their pricing affects the west. This is very true, and why I was slightly hesitant about applying past doctrine to today's situation, but I still doubt that Saudia Arabia (the most powerful OPEC member) would really hang America out to dry for the sake of even greater profits. Also, huge foreign investment with oil money does give a bit of a boost to western economies. In short, I don't think OPEC are to blame.

OPEC wouldn't want oil prices too high. They know that high oil prices could send the western economies spiralling into recession, and since oil is their income a western recession would hurt them as well. Traditionally OPEC has, yes, conspired for healthy profits, but ultimately tried to minimise the expense to us. At least, that used to be their philosophy.

I actually think an emissions trading scheme is a fantastic way to tackle climate change through the free market. I assume here that the scheme you're talking about would run something like this: At the beginning of the year every citizen would be given a certain number of "credits" which allow them to fly or drive a certain mileage every year. An open market would then be setup where people could trade these credits, which would quickly gain a certain value. Basically the price would create an added opportunity cost for every journey you make, which means that only people who really need to travel would do so and use their credits. For some people, driving or flying might no longer be financially viable, but they would be reimbursed through being able to sell their credits and get a bit more money. For others who still need to (perhaps through business) they could offset the cost through the company. I suppose it might lead to some short term cost push inflation, but that might be compensated for through the price of oil falling (since demand will shrink if less people are able to drive/fly). I can see why you might have reservations about the fairness of the scheme (inevitably poorer people lose out) but ultimately we'll all have to pay the price of global warming further down the line if something isn't done now.

Wow, did you see his performance on Jools Holland's show (UK show) of Skinny Love? Man, it nearly brought tears to my eyes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHyo33XLP24&fmt=18

To be honest I haven't heard any genre yet which I would blanket as hating. I listen to less rap and country than I do rock and electronic, but I still listen to certain artists from most genres really.

The Gold It's In The... - Pink Floyd I seem to remember this Pink Floyd album being more ethereal. Or maybe that's Meddle.

I normally hate these things, my favourites change so often that I can't stand to choose a single song. But recently, I suspect I may have found it. P.S. You Rock My World Eels Electro-Shock Blues

Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros Vaka depresses me, so I wanted to listen to some of their feel good stuff.

Ocean [Live] - John Butler Trio

Yes, as warri0r pointed out I think ultimately any inbuilt morality would have to have had some kind of evolutionary advantage, and by and large cooperation and mutual good-feeling towards fellow man does give us an overall species advantage. However, those morals aren't imprinted strongly enough not be overwritten by a bad upbringing, because ultimately, selfish behaviour can also be of benefit.

I have the utmost respect for those riders, it's the ultimate endurance test. The mountain stages are great to watch, but the sprint finishes at the end of each stage are often really entertaining.

Of course, the fact that many intelligent people are atheists says nothing about their arguments/reasons for being atheists. Any attempts to view this study as any kind of argument against religion is a simple logical fallacy. That said, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the hypothesis was proven true.

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so many things i could say, but i am tired. I guess i will limit it to why are you talking? this a serious discussion that is not based on one nation especially since its a world wide product and "issue" It's a fair point though that petrol prices in the UK are much higher than in the US, and since we have a lower disposable income on average than Americans rising oil prices hurt us more, and is more likely to push the UK into any kind of recession than the US at a simplistic level.

Really? Wow that's pretty amazing. He seems like such a nice, honest songwriter. And yeah you're from the same area he retreated to in his cabin aren't you? (Wisconsin). Thanks for the recommendation with Kings of Convenience.

Wolves - Phosphorescene Hauntingly beautiful.

There are two schools of thought as to why the oil price is so high at the momet. Some insist that it's basic supply and demand economics, demand is high, supply is low ergo prices are high. But i'm not convinced by this. From what i've read, it seems to me that the oil price has long since become decoupled from the market equilibrium, and is now soaring because of self-fulfilling speculation on the price rising. This is a key section from a very interesting article which explains the alternative view: Full Article As to what the future holds, I don't think we'll remain dependent on Middle-Eastern oil for much longer. Incentives have never been stronger for alternative energy providers to buck their ideas and come up with the next energy source, I don't think it'll be long.

Beat me to it. His stuff is just, sublime. Also Fleet Foxes, their harmonies are so beautiful and powerful.

If you're having relationship issues post them here, if you're being serious Locked

Who Did You Think I Was? - John Mayer Trio

Or maybe the deaths aren't reported as suicide for cultural/religious reasons?

Maybe best not to throw another shrimp on the barbie then...

Lol I do that too :P Genuinely, doesn't everyone? :oops: