YOU DON'T GET IT, IT'S NOT WORTH THE SHORT TERM GAINS, PUT IT BACK IN THE GROUND
this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2025
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But the economy.... /s
at least we slowed down killing whales
Honestly, this was barely in time to save whales.
But now they’re dying because of oil. Again. Just a different form.
Side question, what reference is the gif from?
Interstellar, I believe.
I’m going to play the devil advocate here and say this is actually rather impressive. Look at all of those towers which I imagine are steel, something up and coming for the era. And the new methods of drilling being implemented. This was cutting edge stuff in 1859. Dawn of an era. Birth of several blue collar trades. Just like we have “forefronts of innovation” today that one day we’ll look back at and cringe. This was exciting stuff in its time. Pinnacle of human progress.
I actually agree. It's very neat. Unfortunate what consequences it had.
Why were they drilling for oil before we had ICE engines? I can't think of any Civil War era machines that ran but coal and steam.
Illumination, heating, and lubrication, I believe. Alternative to whale oil and the like.
Ah! Morality aside, makes more economic sense than chasing giant mammals in the ocean.
A guess: lamps.
Looks like a lovely place. /s