Ah OK. That makes more sense. I think I saw something similar about Western European countries in particular.

On a long enough time line, everyones life expectancy drops to zero.

There are a few posters here who are big dudes who could probably lose a couple pounds, myself and mosh included, but I don't think most of us qualify as fat fucks.

I am well padded though.

However some of those basket cases in Africa, what is the point of facilitating an increased population there? The land can't support more people and there's no cultural or economic reason to suggest that given time it could.

Are you suggesting we kill all the negroes? We could make Africa safe for decent white folks, same way 'merica was?

Ah OK. That makes more sense. I think I saw something similar about Western European countries in particular.

Europe is especially in trouble with this as of late ...

Just read in the Smithsonian this morning , 9 billion+ by the end of the century.

I don't understand that math. In the last century, we've gone from 1 billion to over 6 billion. What's gonna slow us down?

Perhaps they were being optimistic to lull us into the coming Apocalypse gently.

I'm 1/5 through Omnivore's Dilemma - it's good

that's actually next on my booklist

It's brilliant. I want a farm now

I have my eye on 17 acres of land at Daylesford... looks relatively inexpensive, and it's all forest.

I am prepared to clearfell it all for financial gain.

Don't be a vagkin. If you're going to save the planet you have to clearcut your cares in Brazil.

I've still got my eye on 30 acres in West Virginia.

I dont care about saving the planet... all that Hard Rock Cafe save the planet bullshit is designed to sell more crappily manufactured by exploited children in the 3rd world t-shirts... fuck the planet if that's the result, it doesnt deserve to be saved.

I did a radio show about a hundred years ago in one of the more hippy parts of outer suburban Melbourne. We got kicked off the air for making inflammitory comments about burning down all the forest in that part of the world, and for suggesting that hippies should all be rounded up, flogged and fed to whatever carnivors we could find, starting with the station manager. Peace, love and brown rice is slavery in disguise.

Yeah well I own 40 acres two miles from nowhers and haven't been there in 10 years.

So there.

I dont care about saving the planet... all that Hard Rock Cafe save the planet bullshit is designed to sell more crappily manufactured by exploited children in the 3rd world t-shirts... fuck the planet if that's the result, it doesnt deserve to be saved.

I did a radio show about a hundred years ago in one of the more hippy parts of outer suburban Melbourne. We got kicked off the air for making inflammitory comments about burning down all the forest in that part of the world, and for suggesting that hippies should all be rounded up, flogged and fed to whatever carnivors we could find, starting with the station manager. Peace, love and brown rice is slavery in disguise.

I certainly agree with this.  You can't consume your way to justice, "energy independence," or any of the other grand causes that people get behind.

I think it's sort of like peace marches - they make people feel good, but don't do anything at all.

Only because there isn't enough profit in abandoning fossil fuels for sustainable energy. If solar and wind wasn't so simple that 'loids like Brian and I can figure it out and build our own, people and corporations would be moving toward it in droves.

But you're also not looking towards it as a means of powering your 8 plasma TVs, 3 refrigerators including one dedicated to only bottled water, etc.

Production of alternate energy needs to go hand-in-hand with reducing consumption.

No I'm not, and it's not practical to try that. I'd be happy with an icebox powered by a 12vdc stirling engine and a place to plug in my cel phone once in a while.

I decided to reduce my consumption by turning everything off when I leave the house and I don't bag any of my fruits or vegetables at the grocery store in those little plastic bags.  I do always seem to forget to bring a bag for when I check out.   Also I have no kids or pets so I'm not creating more mouths to feed.  Woohoo!  Go me!

You're a much more reasonable person than most of the people who discuss energy independence, though.

Most people assume no changes to lifestyles will be required, there will just be some miracle by which the US is able to produce enough energy resources to supply our consumption.

I decided to reduce my consumption by turning everything off when I leave the house and I don't bag any of my fruits or vegetables at the grocery store in those little plastic bags.  I do always seem to forget to bring a bag for when I check out.   Also I have no kids or pets so I'm not creating more mouths to feed.  Woohoo!  Go me!

Me too ...

Hmmmm ...

I just bought a TREK 830 Antelope MB for $35 about half an hour ago. Is this a good bike?

It really seems to be a solid performer. Tires were flat but once aired up it rides perfect. The auto shifters and brakes work perfectly and it has the original seat and tires on it.
Not sure the tires will remain aired up yet but they look to be in very good condition as does all the cables and other components so I'm thinking it must not have many miles on it.

Fast and smooth ride. I've read a couple reviews that state the bike is heavy but it only weighs about half what my old UniVega does.  Once I'm satisfied with it's road worthiness I think I'm going to like it quite a bit. The frame on my UniVega is a little too big for me even with the seat all the way down so this bike will be safer and more fun for me to ride. And now I have a backup for commuting.

Trek makes good frames.  That one's a steel frame, right?  It'll probably last forever.  Components might not be that great, but change 'em when they break.

I think the obsession with bike weight has to be taken with a grain of salt.  A lot of people on those sites are basically comparing Ferraris to Toyotas.  If you start on a new ~$300-$400 Trek, then move on to spending $1,500-$2,000 a few years later, you're making an astronomical jump in the materials and technology put into the bike.  There's nothing at all with the old bike you road a few years ago, but people forget that they've made a huge jump from something utilitarian to high performance.

Yeah it does have a steel frame. I want to get some smooth rolling street tires for it and clean it up a bit, relube the bearings ect,  then I think it will make an excellent cross town bike.

It's old, but still worth 35$ if it's got no cracks and the shift gear is in good nick.

I think it might be a trimoly frame (half heavy steel, half 4130) given its price when new.

Your going to have cable issues real quick if it really dont have many miles on it... bit of light oil wouldnt hurt there.

find the online manual for SX generation (?) shift gear and go though the basics... for the same reason as above... they fail quick when left idle for for too long then used (even used every other week after a long idle will fuck em up quick)

Well I agree, the shifters worked perfectly on my test ride yesterday but they do look a bit dry.

Let the old man enjoy his bike you haters!

Hahahahaha

I'd ride that!

I knew you were gay.

I meant Sasha ....

You're saying Sasha would ride that?

* Thrash bangs his head against his desk *