I heard a rumor that GM was also buying small businesess who were working on patents for vehicles that utilized alternative energy sources. Once they bought the companies they destroyed the technologies. At the time I thought it was believable, but didn't make sense. Why wouldn't GM try to establish itself as the leader of alternativly powered vehicles. There is certainly a market for them. Anyone have any ideas?

^Yep. Tyranny of wealth. Edison attempted to stifle alternating current technologies to preserve his early advantage in the business of transmitting electricity. GM bought commanding shares in leading rechargeable battery companies in the 90's and then sat on their patents. Have you seen "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

http://www.videosift.com/video/Who-Killed-The-Electric-Car-Full-Version

business is conspiracy.

I think your tags need commas.

While there may be some truth to all these "oil-conspiracy" claims, I am always curios of one thing: Why wasnt Oil itself supressed and underminded by the coal and steam industry?, and why wasnt coal and steam killed by the once luxurious Horse and cart industry? The answer to this stares us in the face: Market. If some genius comes up with an alternative to oil that is just better, more efficient, more convenient and cheaper, oil is fucked. Thats it. Thats the secret. For all its destructive qualities, Oil and Gas is simply the overall best alternative when it comes to price, efficiency and convenience. You can power a hand-held chainsaw that cuts through wood like butter for hours in the middle of nowhere, or you can heat entire cities on gas. Find me a non-fossile fuel that competes with that, and I'll drive oil companies in the ground. But so far, no alternative energy comes close.

I am all for expanding our research into alternative energy, infact I think we MUST do so, and fast. But I find these conspiracy theories to be rather unhelpful.

^ I was thinking along the same lines. I'm all for public transportation and renewable energy, but until the masses demand it, big companies will suppress it. And I really can't see where the "conspiracy" is. At least not in terms of an illegal conspiracy. Part of business is competition, and you do what you can to beat your competition. It is up to the public to force businesses to progress through the use of purchasing power and local laws. If the citizens of Los Angeles were happy with the transit system, they should have stopped GM from changing it. They just didn't care at the time. It is apathy that costs us billions, not some diabolical shadowy conspiracy.

And if there is a technology that will free us from our oil dependancy, it will come when people demand it.

GM? I thought it was Judge Doom.

I'm really sorry to say that I think to deny the obvious coalition of interests that exist between auto, oil, rubber, and steel is simply naive.

Alternative energies have been actively suppressed by the existing powers and corporations.

We should have had alternative power and transportation resources in place by now, had their development been funded and supported like they should have been thirty years ago.

Where can I see the whole documentary? I've been looking all over for it...