Sunday, July 19, 2009

Exxon Mobile Idiocy

You know those commercials where an Exxon-Mobile scientist talks earnestly about how committed s/he is to the environment? While they speak , complicated mathematical formulas and molecules swirl around, intending to convey the ideas (1) this is hard, (2) we are smart, (3) maybe you aren't, and so (4) don't even think about questioning us. Pretty typical corporate propaganda.

Well, a new commercial just came out that is simply idiotic and exposes the core deception. The 'scientist' says Exxon is committed to remove the carbon dioxide 'contaminant' from natural gas, and explicitly states their intention is to reduce greenhouse gasses. But 'pure' natural gas, when burned, produces nothing but carbon dioxide, and water. The primary constituent of natural gas is methane (CH4). It is simple in equation form:

CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O. [Bean counters: 1 C, 4 H, 4 O]

Worrying about the trace carbon dioxide 'contaminant' is like worrying about speeding at the Indy 500. It would be laughable if it weren't so deceptive, destructive, and worst of all, deeply, insultingly stupid.

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