Comment Re:On the plus side! (Score 1) 720
You are neglecting discount rate, but if you want to do this why bother to pump it out & store it? Why not just buy an oil patch & leave it underground?
You are neglecting discount rate, but if you want to do this why bother to pump it out & store it? Why not just buy an oil patch & leave it underground?
After holding a position (for instance belief in a scientific theory) for a long time - people become invested in it. If it has become profitable or they have achieved a position of power from it, they have a very strong interest in maintaining the status quo.
It is said that scientists don't change their mind, a new theory comes out and eventually all of the old fogies holding onto the outdated theories retire or die, and are replaced with people who follow the new theories.
If people live for a very long time, maintaining their position and influence - it is likely that society, science and art will stagnate. You only have to listen to baby boomer music critics/radio station DJs who say the best songs are from the 1960s to know this is true.
Cultural evolution will stop or slow, and due to having a finite world birth control must be instituted to allow so many people living so long. Thus biological evolution which depends on reproduction and death will also end.
I accept my death, and will move aside for those following me to have their go. I accept that I am not the pinnacle of existence and will pass on what I know, prepare the next generation and then stand back and see if they can do better.
So my question is - why should we want to hog the ride?
"No job too big; no fee too big!" -- Dr. Peter Venkman, "Ghost-busters"