The party's over: peak oil has distracted us from peak helium

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    Helium Oil Peak
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ongoing global helium shortage and its implications for various sectors, including party supplies and medical applications. Participants explore the potential use of alternative gases, such as hydrogen, and engage in humorous commentary about the situation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note the significant impact of the helium shortage on party supplies and the challenges faced by businesses reliant on helium for balloons.
  • There are suggestions to consider using hydrogen as an alternative for balloons, with some participants recalling historical incidents related to hydrogen use.
  • One participant humorously proposes rationing helium for essential uses, such as MRIs, while prioritizing party balloons.
  • Concerns are raised about the rising costs of helium, with reports of prices nearly doubling for various grades of helium.
  • Several participants engage in light-hearted banter about the implications of using hydrogen, including references to the Hindenburg disaster and its potential appeal to certain audiences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of serious concerns about the helium shortage and humorous takes on the situation. There is no consensus on the use of hydrogen as an alternative, and the discussion remains light-hearted and speculative.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference historical events and cultural perceptions related to helium and hydrogen, but these discussions do not resolve the practical implications of the gas shortage or the feasibility of proposed alternatives.

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Swelling helium shortage popping party supplies
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | 3:04 PM ET
CBC News

A global helium shortage continues to squeeze stock to notably low levels, deflating business for some party planners and forcing some scientists to stretch modest supplies.

Supplies of helium — which is extracted from natural gas — were first reported to have sunk to record low levels in 2006 as refineries in the U.S., Algeria and Russia reported production problems.

The growing use of MRI machines, which use helium to super-cool magnets, in hospitals around the world is also contributing to the demand.

Retailers have steadily absorbed the rising costs of the gas but now some businesses are reporting access has been cut entirely.

"We were told there's no helium, so that's going to change the face of our business, temporarily if not long term," said Leah Garven, who runs a party decorating business in Saskatoon.

"We've been trying to figure out what we can do with air and still satisfy the customer because let's face it, everyone loves a helium balloon."


:-p

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/09/26/helium-shortage.html
 
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I suggest they start using hydrogen in ballons. :smile:
 
Fill the baloons at some political venue, they will rocket skyward.
 
Well, that does it. Time to ration the helium. No more MRIs, and you silly physicists and your magnets will just have to be put on a waiting list. Party balloons are FAR too important to waste helium on all those other nonessential things. :biggrin:
 
wolram said:
Fill the baloons at some political venue, they will rocket skyward.
Shortly after helium was first discovered, various political advisors investigated the suitability of helium as a campaign device. The obvious change in voice quality militated against making the switch from hot air. (The squeaky voice is a dead giveaway the politician is full of it.) Hot air rather than helium remains the politicians' stock device to this day.
 
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D H said:
Shortly after helium was first discovered, various political advisors investigated the suitability of helium as a campaign device. The obvious change in voice quality militated against making the switch from hot air, which remains the politicians' stock device to this day.

:smile:
 
theCandyman said:
I suggest they start using hydrogen in ballons. :smile:

Wasn't there some reason we decided not to do this?? Something with a Hindelbrag...Hindenbog...:confused:
 
I'm afraid I might have had something to do with this. When I get a helium balloon, I can't resist breathing in the gas to make my voice high-pitched. Sorry for any trouble I may have caused.
 
We're now paying about double (for liquid helium) what we used to pay a couple years ago. We're also paying about 40% more for our 99.999% purity gas and nearly double for 99.9% purity gas.
 
  • #10
There goes the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. :frown:
 
  • #11
theCandyman said:
I suggest they start using hydrogen in ballons. :smile:

I don't care if the Hindenburg went down because of it! That would cause celebration for pyromaniacs worldwide! INCLUDING ME!
 
  • #12
Then we can revert to using flaming arrows for warfare, like in the good old days.