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TreasureKY -> RE: On my way out, will also stop to buy gas! (4/27/2008 4:29:35 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Smith117
Cars have only been around since the early 1900's. What oh what *did* we do before then?
What did we do before cars? Well, we lived a lot differently. It was an entirely different world then where people did not travel as they do now, local commerce held a much tighter reign on people's lives, and while industry was making great strides in becoming the foundation of our financial support, agriculture still held a prominent position.
Unfortunately, very few are in a position to return living like we did and our infrastructure certainly isn't. Of course, there may come a time when we have no choice, but I daresay it would be a difficult process in getting there. While people grumble about paying extra at the pump, many don't stop to think about how the price and availability of oil touches every aspect of their lives.
Imagine a world where you were limited to working only somewhere within walking distance of your home... where the food you eat is limited mostly to what can be produced locally... where items such as coffee or bananas are a rare and expensive treat... where products such as household goods and clothing bear a premium price for the cost to transport them to your area.
Do you imagine that the industries we have built will be able to sustain themselves when people can no longer afford to buy their products or services? Do you think companies like UPS will have enough customers able to pay the price so that they can continue to justify services like global next day delivery?
And when these large companies have to drop production or services, do you think they will continue to employ the numbers of people that they currently do? Where will those people earn their living? What about the businesses that earn their living by supporting those companies? Suppliers of raw material, trucking companies, third party vendors, inport/export services... who will they turn to? Even retailers who cater to the business world will suffer as the business world tightens its belt... office supplies, office furniture, equipment manufacturers, paper suppliers. Where will people work when those business have to downsize or close doors?
And as unemployment rises, the number of customers dwindle and the downward spiral continues.
The ramifications can be truly frightening.
Will it come to this? I honestly don't know. It's possible but I would like to think we are a resourceful enough people to find a way forward. Telecommuting may become the norm, alternative fuels may finally come into their own, mass transportation might actually be supported and grow. Who knows what solutions we will find?
All I can say for sure is that we will adapt.
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