So yes - the gas pipe lines are a factor, just not the overriding factor, but still an important one. The expansion of American power is a complicated one and includes making the world safe for the operation of what they define as the “free market” which means, historically, privilege American companies to operate (within the laws and guidelines of specific national contexts) overseas. American hegemony means access for American companies and the adoption of a market based economy and at least the veneer of democracy.
But the goals are so short term, are they really that equally short sighted, there’s already technology that can make a plastic substitute. Tesla motors is also surpassing expectations for what an electric car can do.
They aren’t letting “creative destruction” take place. And rather just creating actual destruction.
But the goals are so short term, are they really that equally short sighted, there’s already technology that can make a plastic substitute.
For the rich, a thirty-year contract is a neverending bounty that pays off for at least three generations: entry-level training for richlets, career-building to grow visibility for middle-aged traders transitioning out of the escort-and-coke lifestyle, and the aging fixers who know nothing except who owes who.
They own the tech already by buying the startups, but they have so much capital in refineries and service companies… that they’re too lazy to do anything but just wait? Who the fuck knows? They don’t know the tech they own, do they need to care?