[XCSSA] ROEI: Food, 1900 vs 2007

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

Food calories vs. External input calories ...

PBS had a very good show called "1900 House":

  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/1900house/

Recall that in 1900, electricity was available.
Piped water.  Railroads. etc.  One of the surprises
of the 1900 house was how cold and hungry they 
always were in even a "good" housing situation,
and how much work it was just to get food prep'ed.

If you are really curious about this food vs. fuel
issue, and how external energy "floats" or "subsidizes"
our tummy, this has an excellent section comparing
1900 food vs. now:

http://www.as.ua.edu/ant/bindon/ant475/Papers/Amrock.pdf

Figures 4 and 5 are very telling.  For those who want a
quick look, aim here:

http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/003715.php

Fuel for more considered energy discussions.  Ron.