Hard forks are a normal part of crypto-currency development. It's very difficult (or arguably impossible) to predict what the optimal crypto-protocol, or fork would be. The ideal of "code as contract" is still a ways off despite what the over-enthusiastic etherium developers are saying.

Just because we don't know exactly who dies doesn't mean no one died. There are 10s of thousands of people with asthma or clotting disorders. Not to mention the decreased life expectancy even if you don't keel over on the spot. I haven't done the numbers, but it could easily be equivalent to over 100 people.

Of course we could spend more resources. I think half a trillion $$$ should do it. Fuck, make it a trillion. The central bank wouldn't even notice. We could even get China and Europe to kick in another trillion or so. We could have another energy supply down most likely within 10 years, be it fusion I, II, or III or some generation 4 or 5 uranium/thorium reactors. Then what??? You mean all those millions of people that died because of Petroleum Hegemony died for nothing? That would be too ridiculous to contemplate. No I don't see the USA taking the lead on this unfortunately. The "wrong" people would make all the money. On the other hand it almost seems inevitable that a medium/high tech energy supply will eventually supplant petroleum. Personally I feel the guys in power now would sooner destroy the planet than give up control.

"Dog wistle racism"? Well ignoring the inapplicable metaphor, I didn't read any morals into this comment. Yes you could have it both ways, but in matters of sex we tend to just repeat past behavior, statistcally speaking of course. Perhaps you would be more comfortable with the Marshmallow Experiment: You could eat this one marshmallow now, or wait 20 years for a successful career and relationship instead.