Avoid soaring fuel prices on National Liftshare Day

For those who missed it:

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7501476.stm

Paul Hanczuk July 17, 2008

re:136

fair play to you, when I get my own house (unable to get into the mortgage market as theres no way I can afford a mortgage at today's prices), I would like to make it as self-sustaining as possible, using solar panels and wind technology. In fact, I saw something very interesting on the BBC news site about new advances of solar technology that can convert any window into a solar plant, producing nearly 10 times as much power with less solar cells. Made very interesting reading.

Walking to work does me good, however until the day that I can afford m mortgage and pay it off, I am at the mercy of the economy and inflation like everybody else in this country.

Peak Oil July 17, 2008

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Re: 133

Still haven't quite grasped the PO message have you Boo?

Here goes - one more time for the hard of thinking.

We will never return to 'Business As Usual' now that we have passed Peak Oil. Get it? Never. From now on the words 'economic growth' and 'down the plughole' will often be used in the same sorry sentence by most commentators.

Status symbols such as the big telly, the big car and the big house will rapidly become a liability and a noose around the neck of those poor debt-ridden, unfortunate fools who are currently unlucky enough to own them.

What would I do with your billion? Probably donate most of it to Third World charities such as Water Aid. God knows their needs will be far greater than ours when TSHTF.

With that sort of money I would also consider investing in a few local sustainable energy and permaculture projects. God knows WE will all need local, sustainable resources when TSHTF in the not too distant future.

As for my own post peak needs? Sorted.

No debt. Wood burning stove. Solar and PV panels in place thank you very much and the ability to grow most of my own food. I'll leave the conspicuous consumption to the terminally bewildered amongst us who continue to whine and whinge about the cost of fuel and the need for fuel terminal blockades etc., etc..

You all know who you are. ;-)

Alan Begg July 17, 2008

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Contaminated Fuel

I have managed to purchase contaminated deisel fuel from either the Dreghorn or Braidburn Shell garages in Edinburgh. I have incurred almost £300 in having the vehicle repaired. Shell are not interested in my situation because their records show ther is no problem as far as they are concerned. I am interested to know if anyone else has encountered fuel contamination problems from either of these two garages.

Greg Brown July 17, 2008

Hi BTPO

Re environmentally friendly cars - the most friendly are those already built. Any of them, even a massive 4x4. 80% of the energy embodied in a car is at the manufacturing stage. Any car, doesn't matter what it is, is more friendly than a new one. The message - never buy a car new, they are way more wasteful than already made one, whether they are hybrid b ollocks or whatever.

As for the billion quid to PO, I think I can reasonably assure you that a car would be way down the list, if on it at all, but I am sure he could oblige with a list himself. There would not be a single gizmo on it I am fairly sure of that!

Boo To Peak Oil July 17, 2008

I think one of the problem here is human behaviour. Environmentally friendly cars are quite expensive. Once we can afford them we get tempted by gas guzzlers and others.
For example if I ought to give Peak Oil one billion pounds for no reason it will be just a matter of time before we see some kind of a status car parked at his new house.

I think we should address driving styles. If we weren't so aggressive on the roads i.e 0-62 in no time from traffic lights, driving 90 instead of 70 and intimidating other drivers who in turn respond by driving un economically.

I dont think what we drive is the problem, rather how we drive.

Greg Brown July 16, 2008

131.

Could be considered a bit harsh that comment (or not!), perhaps it might be an idea to ask does anyone here feel they fit this profile:

'Sheeple is a term of disparagement, a portmanteau created by combining the words "sheep" and "people." It is often used to denote persons who acquiesce to authority, and thus undermine their own human individuality. The implication of sheeple is that as a collective, people believe whatever they are told, especially if told so by authority figures, without processing it to be sure that it is an accurate representation of the real world around them.'

I don't use the term often as I find it offensive for precisely it's definition, but around here, I sometimes think "If the cap fits......".

People are just are not reacting quickly enough to the situation we find ourselves in. I don't think it has much to do with lack of info, there is plenty of it.

Peak Oil July 16, 2008

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petrolprices.com - a natural home for the terminally bewildered and hard of thinking. Well done Brendan!

Kevin July 16, 2008

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i just find all this fuel situation amazing - the government seem to want to tax the population in every such way they possibly can - who voted for Gordon Brown anyway ?? no one as far as i can see. This country and people are just too easy !!! we had strikes left right and centre when the prices we £0.80 something and we had people fighting the system to try and get a fiar approach for the UK population - what the hell are we doing now ? almost nothing except putting up with the dam lot.... if were serious about this situation then action has to be encouraged and supported by the tax payers otherwise we have no chance. Get the freight off the roads and onto the rail - we should then have more fuel available and less blockages on the roads...
This country needs to start saying NO.... we are all just little people in a very big system but why do we just all put up with it ??? why not boycot certain fuel companies ?? we have to find ways to try and force a different way of thinking otherwise its all NOISE.... we are getting taxed from birth to death by the democratic government of the UK and we need to say NO and do things to force change..... Yes i agree with taxing the big 4 x4 cars - get them off the road - stop the school runs - tax them off the road - get the freight off the road and free up our country of these gas guzzling road blocking trucks - change our expectations on what we want as customers - we dont have to have everything tomorrow - STOP IT ! We just seem to moan in this country but want to change nothing - let try and be a little like the French maybe and fight back harder and SAY NO MORE !! We all seem to work in the country for just paying TAX in every area of our life - thats my feelings on the subject

Paul Hanczuk July 16, 2008

Greg, PO -

I do appreciate your input on here, you are doing a good job of making people aware of whats happening, although sometimes the message your trying to put across does sound like you are scaring people and doom-mongering, but I am sure you have the best intentions in the world.

There are always ways around problems, no matter how big. It's important to let everyone know that regardless of what people may think about life without oil, life will continue, and in a way, the government are doing their best to move people away. Unfortunately, they are trying to move people away to a renewable energy source, whose own infrastructure in the country is scarce at best. So at least you can understand why people are pissed off. Hybrid's arent really the answer, as proved on Top Gear, you can get better fuel economy from a BMW M3 compared to the Toyota Prius.

Better communication and more investment needs to be placed into making renewables viable by improving the current infrastructure. At least then, can Britain make a larger leap into a world of renewable energy.

Greg Brown July 16, 2008

127 - What are you all happy about? This won't fix anything and it will take ages. Reduce the tax or stfu.

126 - We ALL need to act NOW - even the terminally bewildered amongst us. ;-)

I see what you mean.

Nchammer July 16, 2008

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What are you all happy about? This won't fix anything and it will take ages. Reduce the tax or stfu.

Peak Oil July 15, 2008

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Re: 125

You're right of course, it does indeed take a man in a suit but if our otherwise incompetent PM can succeed in bringing the Peak Oil message to the masses he'll get my vote.

Energy supply and security IS the burning issue of our time.

We ALL need to act NOW - even the terminally bewildered amongst us. ;-)

Greg Brown July 15, 2008

Yes, it takes a man in a suit to stand up and say it before anyone takes notice.

Even a totally discredited man who has visited economic woe upon the entire nation, has been subject to tirade after tirade on this very forum, and simply isn't popular. But he does wear a suit - an authority figure in fact.

What a funny old world it is.

Peak Oil July 15, 2008

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Re: 122 & 123

Thanks guys.

Pleased to see that we have finally found some common ground and that you now appreciate that we do indeed have an imminent energy supply problem.

I also have faith in mankind's abilities but we urgently need to fund the research and development required for these new technologies before our economy finally goes into an inexorable, fuel-starved decline.

Are we in the West too late? Who knows - only time will tell. :-)

Paul Hanczuk July 15, 2008

Re: 121

It is indeed good to see that the Government have promised to make a sizeale impact on our reliance on fossil fuels. It will take some time, but I have every faith in Mankind that we can make it over the biggest hurdle we have faced in our lives yet.

I really like seeing speeches like this, renews your faith quite nicely. Providing they stick to their word.

Boo To Peak Oil July 15, 2008

Yes well done G Brown, eventhough he will most probaly lose power because of further sanctions on the motorist.

Peak Oil July 14, 2008

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WELL DONE GORDON BROWN!

Gordon made the following speech on the 13th July:

"At this summit the 27 nations of the European Union and our Mediterranean neighbours pledge ourselves to take action to promote our mutual prosperity, security, liberty and democracy.

We must now leave behind the old wasteful, oil dependent ways of yesterday and embrace the new cleaner and sustainable energy future of tomorrow. The increases in oil and food prices we have seen over recent months are causing hardship to families and businesses in Britain and throughout Europe. They threaten economic instability and their production is environmentally not sustainable.

The years of cheap energy and careless pollution are behind us. We need a new strategy. Past total dependence on oil must give way to a clean energy future.

I have called for a better dialogue between oil producers and consumers and a more transparent market, and for measures to increase investment in oil production and refining. Following the meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last month we will take these initiatives forward at the meeting in London in December, endorsed this week by the G8.

But improving the functioning of the oil market can be only one half of our strategy. The other must be to set ourselves on a new energy path - a path from our economies that are today over-dependent on oil towards the post-oil energy economies of the future. And moving towards this sustainable energy economy helps us meet our economic, political and environmental goals.

Today in Europe more than a third of our energy comes from oil, and a further 40 per cent from other fossil fuels - gas and coal. Only around 20 per cent of our energy comes from low carbon sources - renewables and nuclear. None as yet comes from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage.

With our ambitious climate and energy package - which we must commit to completing under the French Presidency this year - Europe is on a path to increase the proportion of renewable energy in its energy mix by 2020 from under 10 per cent to 20 per cent. And if we are to meet our long-term climate change objectives - to reduce our emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050 - Britain, alongside our European partners, will need to do even more.

And at the same time as we move to clean energy sources, we must also become much more efficient in the way we use energy. Over the last forty years the energy intensity of the British economy - the amount of energy we use per unit of national income - has been halved. But as our economy continues to grow we must reduce that still further.

So let me set out the five main points of an oil replacement strategy.

First, since 70 per cent of future oil demand is from transport, we need a step change in the fuel efficiency of vehicles. So Europe must push ahead with mandatory fuel emission standards for new cars. But to drive innovation in the car industry we need not just a target for 2012, but a target for 2020 to match those in the rest of the energy package. The UK is urging that this should be an average of 100 grammes per kilometre, a cut of 40 per cent from the 164 grammes today. This could reduce road fuel consumption in Britain by an average of 2 billion litres of road fuel a year and save the typical British motorist around £500 pounds a year in running costs.

To achieve such a target we will need to see the mass production of electric vehicles - conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are now available on our roads - but they are specialist cars and vans available only in small numbers. I want to see the mass production of hybrid and electric drive technology in ordinary family models.

And I want to see those cars manufactured in Britain. So I will be meeting with leaders from the British motor industry next week to discuss their plans for hybrid, electric and other low carbon car technologies.

Already initiatives are under way in several countries to accelerate the commercialisation of electric vehicles by supporting the required charging infrastructure and automotive technologies.

At the European Council in June we agreed to explore the scope to accelerate the introduction of commercially viable electric vehicles - and the infrastructure that their widespread use would require - in the EU.

And today, as a next step, Britain is discussing with other countries - including Denmark, Portugal, Israel and Germany - how we can create a strong policy and consumer environment to promote the development of electric vehicles. And I will propose that we convene a meeting of energy, automotive and planning experts to exchange key information on infrastructure requirements and technology standards in advance of the London energy summit later this year.

Second, we need all countries to commit to taking rapid action to improve energy efficiency in households and businesses. The G8 nations this week committed to implementing the IEA's 25 recommendations on energy efficiency. If implemented globally these could cut oil consumption by 15 per cent and energy-related carbon emissions by 20 per cent, equivalent to the emissions of the US and Japan combined. Europe must therefore commit to implementing its own energy efficiency action plan.

The UK is the first European country to phase out energy inefficient light bulbs - which we will do by 2011. We want the rest of the continent to follow. We need agreement on lower levels of VAT for energy saving goods, as proposed by Britain. And we need to move faster to develop energy efficient standards for appliances, such as phasing out inefficient standby on electronic goods.

In Britain we will also introduce new measures to encourage the installation of household insulation and energy efficiency appliances, which can together save a typical British family up to 20 per cent - £170 pounds a year - off their energy bills.

Third, I am convinced that we need a renaissance of nuclear power. Britain is now moving quickly to replace its ageing fleet of nuclear power stations. And all around the world I see renewed interest in this technology, as countries contemplate the alternative - continued oil dependence and unchecked climate change.

So Britain will work to make possible the best arrangements for security, safety and disposal. Last week the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority announced a preferred bidder for the clean up contract at Sellafield. We are also collaborating with France in this field, and stand ready to do so with others.

Fourth, we need a massive expansion of renewables. Britain is fully committed to the EU target that 20 per cent of all energy must come from renewable sources by 2020. Last month Britain set out its strategy to meet our own 15 per cent renewable target - a $100 billion investment programme over the next twelve years.

As a result of this strategy Britain will become the global centre for offshore wind. We will see major investment in energy from waste and biomass and in new forms of microgeneration. We are pushing ahead with the development of marine and tidal technologies, including an examination of a tidal scheme on the River Severn, which could supply 5 per cent of all the UK's electricity.

And now I believe it is time for a major investment in the development of solar power. The IEA suggests that additional investment of up to 215 million square meters of solar panels will be needed every year to 2050. And particularly in the Mediterranean region, concentrated solar power offers the prospect of an abundant low carbon energy source. Indeed, just as Britain's North Sea could be the Gulf of the future for offshore wind, so those sunnier countries represented here could become a vital source of future global energy by harnessing the power of the sun.

So I am delighted that that the EU is committing at this summit to work with its neighbours - including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and the League of Arab States - to explore the development of a new 'Mediterranean Solar Plan' for the development and deployment of this vital technology from the Sahara northwards.

Last, and because we recognise that fossil fuels will continue to be an important part of our energy supplies for years to come, we must make good our commitment in the EU and globally to the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage. I am pleased that last month the European Council asked the Commission under the French Presidency to develop an incentive mechanism, which would enable the EU to meet its target of up to 12 demonstration plants by 2015.

The UK and France committed earlier this year to work together on an action plan to work towards not just demonstration but the EU's aspiration to move towards deployment of CCS by 2020. Britain is already working with Norway, Canada and the Netherlands on how to do this. And we are discussing this weekend how we can collaborate with Spain in this field, bringing together British and Spanish companies and experts to examine and exploit opportunities.

The development and deployment of all these low carbon technologies will require a partnership between government and the private sector. Governments can and will provide the right framework of regulation and incentives. The private sector will have to provide the investment. But we can support this too.

So I call on the European Investment Bank to use its 3 billion euro sustainable energy fund to support a clear strategy for the reduction in global dependence on oil and traditional fossil fuels and for the development and deployment of new low carbon energy technologies. And we need to see a similar refocusing of EIB spend within the EU.

We live in a new era. Today our globalised, energy-hungry and warming world requires a shift from oil dependence to sustainable energy.

Only with political leadership from all of us will we be able to move towards a new sustainable economy. This is now Britain's goal. It must be Europe's destiny. In this unique partnership of European and Mediterranean nations, let us commit ourselves to realising it".

...........................................................................................................................

At last!.

The powers that be finally owning up to the fact that we have an imminent 'energy supply and security' problem in this country and offering a coherent plan for the future. ;-)

Let's hope they aren't too late. ;-(

Kellerman July 14, 2008

report reply to Kellerman

Thing is, I don't trust the mainstream media anyway, because they don't really report on this issue properly, if at all. I get my information from independent energy analysts, the International Energy Agency and Energy Information Administration. Aside from the whole concept of peak oil being basic common sense (maximum flow rates being reached, bottlenecks forming and finite resources running out etc.), the only real issue to debate is when and how badly.

When seems to be now, which is earlier than even the most pessimistic analysts expected. How bad seems to be "very", given the economic issues now and geo-political tensions, among other things.

Chinqupark July 14, 2008

Good thought. Do not believe what you read in the papers.
If you can recall any writing staff, on any newspaper, high or low brow, who did not keep banging on about our servicemen sent to die for oil, then you are a better person than you appear to be. They were all at it. Even my barber thought it was about oil. And he did not know squat. Soap box merchants, all. Actually they are the same merchants of doom who would have you believe that we voted Brown in for Prime MInister. The bottom line in this is that those people have to write within the parameters of their editor's mandate, and he answers to a board of directors, who in turn, answer to one man. Only one. All you have to do is find him and see what his politics are. Easy. Or else, put your faith in their pap.

Greg Brown July 14, 2008

By your reasoning Chinqupark, we should never believe anything a newspaper says following the pre-Iraqi invasion reporting - which was all based on a lies, half lies and general bolloc ks. They wanted the oil and that was it. Same happening again with Nigeria.

But it isn't that simple is it?

Chinqupark July 14, 2008

Dense!!! Maybe. However, I was commenting, not on the doings of Enron/Emron, per se, as much as the reliance on the word of the Wall Street Journal, who at one time were full of the works of that bunch,and more recently, about whatever else Peak Oil was beating his drums about.

Dense, you say? Possible. But at least I read the contents and digest same, before venturing an opinion. Not tha I would have the temerity to suggest that you do the same, because, if we all did, where would the fun of decent debate rest?

Kellerman July 14, 2008

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Chinqupark: Are you being wilfully dense? How, exactly, does the corruption of accounting for a Californian electricity firm become anywhere near relevant to the peaking of output from global oil producers which has been evidenced since 2005?

Keith July 12, 2008

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BRING BACK THE FUEL PROTESTS OF YEARS GONE BYE, after seeing fuel costs almost double since 2000 when i worked as a manager of a fueling station when suppys were cut, when is this government going to listen to the public? if blocking refinerys didn't work what will????? moan over

Chinqupark July 12, 2008

Somewhere on this page, Peak Oil is waxing on about the predictions of the ' Wall Street Journal'. As I recall, a couple of years back, that same bunch were going on about the other speculator Enron, or is it Emron, and how well they were doing for themselves and their shareholders. Subsequently a lot of people went to jail,while the suckers lost but big. So, if their predictions are as good this time, we can all have another cup and think of something else.

Boo To Peak Oil July 10, 2008

I think its a good idea, should you be going there and needing accommodation.

Kellerman July 9, 2008

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Right. That's only slightly less dumb than flying to Saudi Arabia and buying your petrol to take back with you every week.

Louise Mckie July 9, 2008

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PETROL AT 80p PER LITRE!!!!!!

Tighnabruaich, a small town in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland is the cheapest place to buy petrol as long as you are a customer at An lochan.

Roger's ingenious method to take the pressure off the tourist is to give all guests at An lochan a deal of 80p per litre when they present the coupon to the local garage when they fill up.

With all the talk of the credit crunch, recession and the overall gloomy outlook he thought it best to take the burden off his clients so that traveling to and from tighnabruaich is some of the most economic driving they can do.

To qualify for this offer all you need to do is stay for 2 nights DBB at An Lochan Tighnabruaich overlooking sailing boats on the Kyles of Bute, collect your coupon and save your money.

An lochan completely refuses to take part in any recession.

Chinqupark July 7, 2008

In the Army, were you? Is this where I get the tale about you going to those places in a tank, while I would have to resort to a leather seated diesel at £1.30 a litre.
What I said was that the British did not have the monopoly on brains, or in other words, other, lesser mortals, also possessed brains. Read it again and see.
But still and all. We are the masters of our downfall and reflecting on past glories will not do a thing for you, or me or anyone.

Stu Granger July 7, 2008

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Much of what you say is true, Chinqueparkc, but I made a statement, not necessarily the actual future. If I had a crystal ball, I would be living it up in paradise, not living on a pension here. It is true that we will have to cut our clothes to suit the taylor, but as you rightly say, people will find ways round difficulties. I will let time and history dwell upon Enoch Powell, but the left wing distorted his actual speach for their own ends, for if you read it properly, it was not the true interpretation that is spouted today.

Only one piece of criticism, you say that the British don't have brains. I totally disagree. It is the British who, in the past, was the best of inventors, but because of dogma, had to take their devices overseas to get them manufactured (Trevor Baylis and his wind-up radio springs to mind). Unfortunately, we now seem to have a country full of media, yuppies and lawyers at the moment, as Thatcher got rid of the real men who did things with their hands and brains (I know, I was one of them). Could I please ask you to travel to Normandy, to a place called Arromanche, where the remnants of Port Winston is still to be seen offshore, then visit the '6th June 1944' Museum on the seafront? In there, you will see the true meaning of British inventiveness, for even I was gobsmacked, and proud of what this country had acheved in such a small time frame. And we couldn't even ask the Germans or the Japanese to help!

In a City with 3 Universities, and friends in each, I believe that we British, in co-operation with other great learning faculties, may find a way out of this situation that we have put ourselves in, but we must guard that the quick profit parasites don't destroy it before it gets out of the embrionic stage.

Boo To Peak Oil July 7, 2008

David Cameron I should have known. lol

Chinquparkc July 4, 2008

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If you can see this as clearly as all that,Stu Granger, then you are likely to live to an even riper old age. to which end, my hopes and prayers are with you. If, as you say, you are at that age, you will remember Enoch and his 'rivers of blood' speech. After which,of course, he ended his career in Ireland, some would say a sad end for an otherwise revered political figure. Sad, because he made much of the ' faeces through letterboxes' threat. Neither of his predictions came true, which I am afraid, will also happen to your visions. People, not necessarily british( they, bless them, do not have the monopoly on brains) but people tend to be a crafty lot, who will find a way through this crisis, and any other that comes along. As they have done before and will continue to, regardless of the prophets of doom now baying at our doors. They made much of the hole in the ozone layer, which by the way, is still there, even though we have been made to pay more in hidden taxations. Plus numerous other scares before and since.

But, you people out there, please go on. I need the light reading.

Stu Granger July 4, 2008

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Regardless of the writings of 'peak oil' (102 and 104) and the reponses, I can quite comfortably see the time in a few short years when we will be all sitting around log fires in wooden huts, using our computers on the little available electricity which we will be able to afford.

And guess what? The enviro-freaks will still be moaning that the smoke will destroy the planet. They should have worried about that in the 20th century, when world wars and other major conflicts raged, and the planets atmosphere was nearly destroyed from the pollution of a million burning buildings and gunpowder!

We should have invested in alternative fuels years ago, but any notions were stamped on by the oil moguls and car manufacturers, in case it damaged their profit margins. Now they are beginning to panic (Exxon is investing in fuel cell technology because they see that the writing is on the wall for oil. What are the others doing?). More nuclear stations are needed, but they won't be on line for a decade. And they should have built that Severn Barrier, instead of worrying about the nesting site of the lesser spotted ugie bird, or some other animal. Wave power was not implemented, because the investors are more worried about their short term profits instead of the long term needs. And wind power is a dead duck. The blades only turn when the wind blows, which is not on still freezing nights in the depths of winter! We are too late, as usual!!

I am well over 60 and have a bus pass, which in this County, also allows travel on local trains and trams. I am using it, as I can see the privilage being withdrawn as the fuel crisis deepens. At least the car is still outside, if not used, but I fear some swine will spike my fuel tank and pinch the little I still have.

Paul Hanczuk July 4, 2008

I just figured out who you are. It's so obvious!

Your David Cameron arent you!

Peak Oil July 4, 2008

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Re: 103

Take your pick from the following quotations Paul:

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. ~Albert Einstein

Are you really sure that a floor can't also be a ceiling? ~M.C. Escher

No man will be found in whose mind airy notions do not sometimes tyrannize, and force him to hope or fear beyond the limits of sober probability. ~Samuel Johnson

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg. ~Abraham Lincoln

There is an objective reality out there, but we view it through the spectacles of our beliefs, attitudes, and values. ~David G. Myers, Social Psychology

Objectivity has about as much substance as the emperor's new clothes. ~Connie Miller

Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces. ~Sigmund Freud

How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all colour-blind? ~Author Unknown

There are no facts, only interpretations. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

What is reality anyway! It's nothing but a collective hunch. ~Jane Wagner, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, 1985, performed by Lily Tomlin

What is a face, really? Its own photo? Its make-up? Or is it a face as painted by such or such painter? That which is in front? Inside? Behind? And the rest? Doesn't everyone look at himself in his own particular way? Deformations simply do not exist. ~Pablo Picasso

What was once called the objective world is a sort of Rorschach ink blot, into which each culture, each system of science and religion, each type of personality, reads a meaning only remotely derived from the shape and color of the blot itself. ~Lewis Mumford, "Orientation to Life," The Conduct of Life, 1951

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination. ~John Lennon

Humankind cannot bear very much reality. ~T.S. Eliot

Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion. ~Democritus

Gertrude Jekyll, like Monet, was a painter with poor eyesight, and their gardens - his at Giverny in the Seine valley, hers in Surrey - had resemblances that may have sprung from this condition. Both loved plants that foamed and frothed over walls and pergolas, spread in tides beneath trees; both saw flowers in islands of colored light - an image the normal eye captures only by squinting. ~Eleanor Perenyi

What we call reality is an agreement that people have arrived at to make life more livable. ~Louise Nevelson

It must be hard to be a model, because you'd want to be like the photograph of you, and you can't ever look that way. ~Andy Warhol

Few people have the imagination for reality. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To treat your facts with imagination is one thing, but to imagine your facts is another. ~John Burroughs

I have a very firm grasp on reality! I can reach out and strangle it any time! ~Author Unknown

Reality is not always probable, or likely. ~Jorge Luis Borges

What happens to the wide-eyed observer when the window between reality and unreality breaks and the glass begins to fly? ~Author Unknown

Paul Hanczuk July 4, 2008