Procrastinating

[atolnon]

William Gibson stopped blogging while he was writing and as far as I know, just incorporated everything he wanted to get out into his pop-culture heavy books. While I should probably take his cue, I'm just going to lay a few interesting things I've found out there tonight. With any luck, I won't feel as obligated to write tomorrow morning, and I'll continue to work on the novel.

First, my friend Matt shared something pretty interesting with me today.
http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-news/portfolio/2008/11/11/The-End-of-Wall-Streets-Boom/?refer=email&print=true
You're probably not surprised to discover that much of the loan business is based off what are basically just lies. That link is long, but it's not that long, so if you're interested in the rate crises that's a'brewin', then read up.

Second, I found this linked off a discussion of another interesting phenom, but here's an article on Japan's new convenience stores:
http://www.impactlab.com/2008/11/08/japan-re-invents-the-convenience-store/
I'm simultantiously reminded of Gibson's Lucky Dragon (which provides basically what you need, where you need it). I'm wondering how long it'll be until the 'general store' ethos kind of hits back, and a conveyor belt of tiny stores are created to facilitate needs. My guess is the more gas prices go up, the more likely it becomes as areas end up restructured to a neighborhood level over a period of time. Gas prices are dropping a lot now, but it's really only a matter of time before they go up again.

Likewise, does anyone know why prices have dropped so much? Is it linked to the economy?

Comments

[drbuzzkill.livejournal.com]

On the subject of oil prices, I've been told much and heard much debate on this topic.

My educated layman's opinion is that it's a glut of supply; OPEC is making harrumphing noises to the effect that they're going to slash production soon to compensate.

[atolnon.livejournal.com]

With dropping gas prices, the panicky speculatation of just a month or two ago has largely vanished in the wake of the disintegrating economy and the election of a new President.

This is one of those tangenital remarks I know not too many people read, but the gas price drop doesn't have anything to do about our long-term energy needs. I hope funding for those projects doesn't vanish in the first 100 days because the clamoring ceased.

[sciphi.livejournal.com]

It is linked to the economy. Oil futures fell as a result of anticipation that demand would dry up due to falling consumption. We're pretty near the bit curvy price point in the supply/demand curve so even a modest drop in demand produces a fall in prices.

A recession is good for gas prices!

It's really not that complicated, but if you could go to the bar with me, I would draw it on a napkin for you.

[atolnon.livejournal.com]

Well, I thought it might be something like that.
I'd go to the bar anyhow, though.