But why do so many arguments that COMPLETELY ignore, or worse deny, this fundamental reality get so much play on this site? Are we really so collectively ignorant about comprehending basic facts on the ground? Are we really so delusional that we believe that such economic facts are "conspiracies" since they're reported by the MSM?
I'm left scratching my head as well. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact those who post a lot here are the mouth drooling conspiracy nuts who believe that oil companies have conspired to produce oil and make them buy products made from it, all the while keeping the potential impacts secret (although all of the Exxon research on climate was published apparently it is still "secret" to these folks). These folks have imagined a scenario of complete doom, perhaps they have planned their lives around it or have at least resigned themselves to it so no amount of factual information to the contrary will dissuade them from their view of an impending apocalypse. We see that with several posters here who continue to recite the same "facts" that have been shown to be completely incorrect with data to back that up (eg. global demand for oil is collapsing, oil prices caused the great recession, people can no longer afford oil, oil companies can't replace their produced reserves, refineries can't deal with light oil from shales, Saudi Arabia is lying about their oil etc, etc). MY guess is those people do not want to learn anything, what they are looking for is a group to pat them on the back and agree with them, join them in their expectation of an imploded global economy, zombie hordes etc. Folks like this will not listen to reason, will ignore hard data that contradicts their views and have no intention of contemplating anything other than a reality they have already created for themselves.
I originally came here to learn, and that's my overall goal when I come back. Is this just galactically stupid? (Feel to be frank -- I honestly want to know).
I think there is an opportunity to learn here. Occasionally people post information or analysis that are not common knowledge. Someone not familiar with oil and gas could learn a bunch by going through the archives here. I find myself reading something and saying, hold on is that right? and then doing a bit of research to see if it is.