Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Attempting to weigh in on BP

I know how easy it has been to say "What the f man? Why can't they just plug the thing up?" I've said it myself almost daily. Why can't they install a shut-off valve or jam it full of concrete. However after looking into it further I'm amazed at how complex these systems are, and amazed that this sort of spill doesn't occur more often. These companies are essentially jamming a giant straw through the lid of a coke that's too full, and are managing to completely contain massive amounts of what wants to blowout. When they access untapped petroleum deposits that we hugely rely on (no-matter who we are), they do a pretty rad job and employ some pretty rad technology.

I don't care if you're super GREEN or if you could give an S about the natural environment, the situation does indeed suck, bad. I have friends saying "Boycott Arco" and this and that. The hip thing to do these days. But all that does is hurt the little guys, the business owners etc. Retail gasoline sales are a tiny part of BP's revenues. But no. This generation boycotts evil gas. Makes shirts. Brands logos for the shirts. Tweets about them. Sells them for money. It'll get worse as it continues. However watching THIS and the updates to follow might shed some light on why it is taking as long as it is.