Can the world economy recover with rising oil prices?

[TheRealMafoo]

akuma587 said:

TheRealMafoo said:

 

The problem is the government has no control over how people invent solutions. This sounds great and all, but you can't predict the future (at least we never have).

This idea is akin to someone 15-20 years ago saying we should beef up the cellular networks so grocery stores and fast food restaurants can more efficiently accept checks.

Only to have checks surpassed by credit cards, making the whole thing pointless.

If gas got to the point where it was worth more for corporations to find alternatives, there is no doubt in my mind that they will incredibly fast.

What they come up with is anybodies guess (hell, it could be compressed air).

I'm sorry, but you are just wrong.  Investment and research in new technology happens all the time because of government regulations, and sometimes because of the mere anticipation of future government regulations.  The government can, already has, and will continue to directly or indirectly encourage investment and research in new technology.

Yes, but for 10x the cost and 1/10th the speed of the private sector, if there was a need in the private sector.

When it becomes a good market decision for big companies to make alternative fuel products, they will blow away anything the government has ever thought of, let alone done.

They always do.