Thrilling Energy Breakthrough: Vivoleum!

[shorthair]

This was a real event, just recently. I got a kick out of this.

http://blog.wired.com/sterling/2007/06/thrilling_energ.html

"We need something like whales, but infinitely more abundant," said "NPC rep" "Shepard Wolff" (actually Andy Bichlbaum of the Yes Men), before describing the technology used to render human flesh into a new Exxon oil product called Vivoleum. 3-D animations of the process brought it to life.

"Vivoleum works in perfect synergy with the continued expansion of fossil fuel production," noted "Exxon rep" "Florian Osenberg" (Yes Man Mike Bonanno). "With more fossil fuels comes a greater chance of disaster, but that means more feedstock for Vivoleum. Fuel will continue to flow for those of us left."

[boykster]

It's people. The fuel is made out of people. They're making our fuel out of people. Next thing they'll be breeding us like cattle for fuel. You've gotta tell them.

 

[TOK]

I never did like Yes. Figured they were up to something like this based on that wacky music.

[shorthair]

Well, it's obviously not a new idea, but I thought it funny as hell they did this at such a function, and got away with it for so long into the presentation. HAH.

[patrickl]

Lol, like Soylent Green.

[shorthair]

I've only seen clips. However, this was akin to Logan's Run (which was actually in production at the time of development of Soylent Green, and was borrowed from in the latter) where people are food - vs fuel.

[boykster]

I've only seen clips. However, this was aking to Logan's Run (which was actually in production at the time of development of Soylent Green, and was borrowed from in the latter) where people are food - vs fuel.

Um, it's Soylent Green (not Logans Run) where people are food...I modified my quote to make it "fuel" instead of "food".  Logans Run they simply kill everyone on their 30th birthday....CAROUSEL!!!

[danny_galaga]

I never did like Yes. Figured they were up to something like this based on that wacky music.

but their album covers were freaking awesome!

[shorthair]

Yes is cool. Kinda in the same camp as Toto and The Fixx. Still, heavier is better; I'm toying with the idea for covers of various songs of some of these and other bands. That chun-chun and syncopated double-bass, you know.

boyster: No no, you're forgetting the freezer scene. "Fish, plankton, and other things from the sea!"...while strolling by the clear caskets of frozen folk...."it stopped coming. And they came instead. ...And now you're here. Are you ready to be processed?!" Anyways, that's what Wikipedia says is that the novella for Logan's Run was already out, the movie was in production, and Soylent Green borrowed from it.

[boykster]

Yeah, still not sure that's what the context of that scene was about, but ok.  If they relied on runners reaching a certain point of escape for their entire food supply, you'd think the sandmen would be much less efficient at their jobs.

 

Anywho, it's MUCH more of a major plot element in Soylent Green....however both movies stress the use of euthanasia / early death as a means to manage resources and control overpopulation....

[shorthair]

On the first part: well, I think some people left early.

On the second part: agreed. In particular, Logan's Run was really in line with The Time Machine, except there were no morloks.

[patrickl]

There was a Star Trek episode (probably a decade earlier) where people euthanasia was used for population control.

[shorthair]

A lot of things were explore there, and earlier in Twilight Zone and Outer Limits (the latter a little more preferred by me). Of course, all these things were pre-empted by various degrees of quality SF from even slightly before Wells and Verne.

[mpm32]

There was a Star Trek episode (probably a decade earlier) where people euthanasia was used for population control.

What do kids in china have to do with any of this?

[boykster]

There was a Star Trek episode (probably a decade earlier) where people euthanasia was used for population control.

What do kids in china have to do with any of this?

 

So funny becuase for years when I was a kid, THAT's what I thought all the hubbub was about.....youth in asia.....

 

[shorthair]

What do kids in china have to do with any of this?

Depends...on the gender.

[Jouster]

This was the funniest part to me:

Such technologies increase the likelihood of massive climate catastrophes that will condemn to death untold millions of people, mainly poor.

Untold millions...these wack jobs are such kidders...

Jouster