Just finished reading Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" (1865) which I found most entertaining. I was particularly impressed with the end, or should I say, it's lack of a satifying end.

Unfortunately I went and spoilt it by discovering there is a sequel, which can be read online if you're interested.

The sequel takes away all the cute little assumptions I had. There was lots of squishing.

I guess I'll have to dig it up though.

Hands up who frequently drives more than 300km in a day?

Hands up who regularly drives faster than 110km a hour?

Hands up who regularly carries more than 100kg of lugage?

Doesn't it make sense to build a new type of car that only had to work to those specifications?

Petrol stations could hire more powerful petrol cars for special occasions, such as holidays, or times when towing of a large weight is required.

Or is this crazy talk? Isn't Australia desperate for a revitalised car industry?

A much less powerful car could run on a much less powerful fuel, like electricity stored in batteries. Or cow farts. Or something.

Fuel will be sold with a special liquid explosive ingredient that can only be neutralised by an additive only available after purchase.

The additive could be expanded to reactivate on long journeys. Neutralisation additive will be available at regular rest areas.

The last time I visited a non-bulk-billing medical centre was way back in 2003. That place cost $50 a visit, but they did the Medicare rebate for you, so you only paid $25 up front.

Apparently that was unusual. From next year it will be the norm.

Let's all pat the government on the back and smile at them patronisingly.

How to solve the petrol crisis? Give people free money to convert their cars to another limited fossil fuel. Brilliant! As a nice bonus everyone's boot will be full of gas tank and we won't be able to cart as much stuff around, saving even more fuel!

How about spending money on reducing the reliance on cars. Like, say... spending on public transport?! Some kind of incentives for people to use their cars less? Incentives for families to have only one car?

But then we'd miss out on all that lovely tax.