Let's not get too reactionary on this one.

First off, would you want Corn Cob Bob to show up at your shindig? He looks like a total a-hole.

I would assume that Corn Cob Bob was trying to represent Ethenol, which is an almost totally useless way to create energy. It is also not emmission-free. I don't know where you guys are going with this, but it's not as though they kicked out a guy that was promoting clean energy.

Additionally, Shell Oil produces a massive amount of solar panels for world energy production. Just because they have Oil in their name, it doesn't mean they don't research, explore, and deliver alternative energy production that produce next to zero emissions. It's in their best intrest to do so, as they are quite aware that they are running out of oil. And when I say they are running out of oil, I mean Shell Oil recently found out they have about half the reserves they thought they had.

If you want to get mad at an Oil company, try Exxon-Mobil. They still claim that there is no such thing as global warming and pay research hacks to create misleading "scientific" papers to state that misinformation.

Look before you lynch.

Look before you lynch.

... that's no fun

Excellent quote, binnster.

The use of Biodiesel and Ethanol allow us to extend our energy resources and keep companies like Shell in business after oil production starts going down, its not like awareness of alternatives is going to threaten their industry. They will pump every last drop of oil and sell it for as much as they can get, and use their corporate power to kill alternatives, hinder development of hybrid or electric vehicles or and other "clean" sources of energy.

I disagree. Ethanol is a subsidized energy largly due to political promises made to corn farmers in Iowa. Shell has made no attempt that I know of to kill hybrid cars and they pour tons of money into R&D for hydrogen power.


Lets not kid ourselves, companies only take environmental gestures because they are good PR and allow them to look more ethical. Like the tobacco companies warning us on the dangers of smoking, they'll tell you its bad on one hand and sell you a carton with the other.

I strenuously disagree. Their foray into solar, wind, and alternative energies are investments into the survivability of their company. As Oil prices go up, the free market will dictate that conservation and alternative sourcing become the norm. Their company must be positioned correctly to seize that opportunity when the time comes. Thus, they are making sure that they can produce a product as the market matures.

This is not a conspiracy against mankind. They are choosing what they see as the most viable alternatives to oil, and Ethanol is not high on the list.

HansBlix: So that justifies being a corporate bully?

No. Not really. But, Corn Cob Bob looks like the type of guy that could have peed on Shell's cornflakes in the past. I'm not endorsing Shell's actions. I'm just saying that they are not the evil incarnate. Shell and BP are both doing some very good work on providing the alternative energies of tomorrow, and they should at least get some credit for that. On the other hand, Exxon-Mobile is evil incarnate.

Watch your Corn Cob, Bob.

A Shell spokesperson said the company's arrangement with organizers meant it had exclusive rights when it came to fuel products.

Puhlease. We're not talking a "Coke vs. Pepsi" situation here. We're talking a "Coke vs. Stop-Drinking-So-Much-Farking-Soda" situation.