I remember when the first oil crisis hit in 1974.
Things were looking bleak for industrial civilizations across the globe.
After a few months, other industries other than mine at the time-(The Airline industry) started down the economic slippery slope.
The Luddites came out of the wood and things were looking pretty dark for the future.
Long lines waiting for hours reminded me of the famous Sci-Fi movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still.
" But then as fast as it came, the doomsday scenario mysteriously faded away (to come back for short visits in the 80's when the Shah of Iran was sent packing).
Several weeks after the OPEC crisis hit, me and many of my colleagues were laid-off indefinitely and the employment outlook was as bleak- as it is today.
But there was a big difference between what happened then and what´s happening today: the computer industry.
In the mid to late 1970´s, the computer industry was starting to move from the development stage to the mass market stage.
Small computers as well as larger computers for businesses were being snapped up by individuals and companies.
Soon, software started to follow the hardware.
Then, there was an exponential demand for programmers, networking specialists, etc.
Within a few years, the computer industry became a major force in the production, consumption and employment factors making up the GDP.
But today, no such industry seems to be on the near horizon.
Yes, energy is a likely candidate for the "new salvation industry" to help pull us out of the deepening hole we find ourselves in, but powerful forces-those very same oil companies that fomented and abetted the energy crisis in ´74-are blocking the way.
When changes do come, they want to continue in the position of power.
So, what do we do to speed things up? Here is my suggestion: A government-business fast-track program to develop cold fusion as well as other potentially viable new forms of energy such as natural gas, shale oils, new battery technology, solar and wind.
Clear away the politics and lobbying.
Do an in-depth cost-benefit analysis and get on with it as if a real war was on.
OK, this is nothing new.
But what is lacking is leadership and grassroots involvement.
As a matter of fact, this malaise is perhaps an even greater threat to the future than escalating energy prices.
So what to do? The population needs to demand such a program and be willing to spend tax dollars taken from the defense budget for a period of several years to kick off the program "Plowshares" into action.
We can keep enough defense spending to provide for domestic protection only and focus on boot-strapping a whole new energy industry evolution to provide jobs, increased exports and fatten up the anemic middle class.
The computer industry did it in the recent past and so can the energy sector, but the mission of the oil industry leaders needs to be expanded from just the interests of the stock holders to include the interests of the whole nation.
Things were looking bleak for industrial civilizations across the globe.
After a few months, other industries other than mine at the time-(The Airline industry) started down the economic slippery slope.
The Luddites came out of the wood and things were looking pretty dark for the future.
Long lines waiting for hours reminded me of the famous Sci-Fi movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still.
" But then as fast as it came, the doomsday scenario mysteriously faded away (to come back for short visits in the 80's when the Shah of Iran was sent packing).
Several weeks after the OPEC crisis hit, me and many of my colleagues were laid-off indefinitely and the employment outlook was as bleak- as it is today.
But there was a big difference between what happened then and what´s happening today: the computer industry.
In the mid to late 1970´s, the computer industry was starting to move from the development stage to the mass market stage.
Small computers as well as larger computers for businesses were being snapped up by individuals and companies.
Soon, software started to follow the hardware.
Then, there was an exponential demand for programmers, networking specialists, etc.
Within a few years, the computer industry became a major force in the production, consumption and employment factors making up the GDP.
But today, no such industry seems to be on the near horizon.
Yes, energy is a likely candidate for the "new salvation industry" to help pull us out of the deepening hole we find ourselves in, but powerful forces-those very same oil companies that fomented and abetted the energy crisis in ´74-are blocking the way.
When changes do come, they want to continue in the position of power.
So, what do we do to speed things up? Here is my suggestion: A government-business fast-track program to develop cold fusion as well as other potentially viable new forms of energy such as natural gas, shale oils, new battery technology, solar and wind.
Clear away the politics and lobbying.
Do an in-depth cost-benefit analysis and get on with it as if a real war was on.
OK, this is nothing new.
But what is lacking is leadership and grassroots involvement.
As a matter of fact, this malaise is perhaps an even greater threat to the future than escalating energy prices.
So what to do? The population needs to demand such a program and be willing to spend tax dollars taken from the defense budget for a period of several years to kick off the program "Plowshares" into action.
We can keep enough defense spending to provide for domestic protection only and focus on boot-strapping a whole new energy industry evolution to provide jobs, increased exports and fatten up the anemic middle class.
The computer industry did it in the recent past and so can the energy sector, but the mission of the oil industry leaders needs to be expanded from just the interests of the stock holders to include the interests of the whole nation.
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