While the OED may be considered the definitive source for the vast majority of words, many entries reflect the last print publication in 1989, and are not as in-step with modern usages. Language is continually evolving, and as always, it is best to consult a variety of sources.
How was this downmodded? An incredible rise in gasoline prices would surely have a profoundly major upward effect on energy pricing. The entire economic structure of American society would be utterly destroyed.
Technology isn't so great if people cannot afford or even get access to food. A more productive exercise would be to imagine that we simply had to half our personal energy use. Merely shifting away from gasoline is not the answer.
Here's my attempt (and boy would it be fun if it actually gets implemented):
Think Green!
Want to save time, money, and the environment? Its easier than you think– just THINK GREEN.
Gasoline consumption in the US is the largest contributor to global warming and one of the largest expenses. Top Economists at Harvard University have determined that the best way to save on gas and cut down on pollution... is ignoring red lights! Only when the path is completely safe, of course, but the gas savings from avoiding unnecessary braking and reacceleration adds up to over $20 BILLION dollars a year!
Being smarter at stop lights and stop signs may only boost mpg gallon by a few mpg (think about it: cars get better mileage on the highway then in the city because of less stopping and starting), but the amount saved can really add up! Here's the math: America buys 150 billion gallons of gasoline each year, and with gas at $4 a gallon an estimated 22 BILLION DOLLARS can be saved by smarter driving, saving every driving American $100 EVERY YEAR. Not to mention the time saved!
Even better, if less gasoline is used the laws of supply and demand force the big oil companies to LOWER THEIR PRICES. So you will need to buy less gas, and will help make it cheaper!
Worried about getting a ticket? If you are not endangering anyone, police will give you a free pass if you remember to mention the Think Green program.
So what should you do? Avoid unecessary stopping and acceleration. If at an intersection where it is safe to go but you see red, THINK GREEN and go!
By each of us doing our part and acting efficiently, we can reduce pollution, save time, and save some serious money at the pump.
So next time you are coming up to an intersection: Think Green!
How about the awesomeness of the dvorak home row?
3269 Scrabble words (OSPD) can be typed on the home row, including nine 15-letter words (such as tendentiousness)
206 for asdfkhjkl. Longest: halakhahs and haggadahs
_____
Estimated finger travel distance (horizontal) for all of the above text
QWERTY: 15.3m
Dvorak: 10.5m
and maybe I didn't get far enough, but this type of game definitely needs moving rings. Adds tons of extra challenge and excitement (and if you have some smooth rotation effect for the rings as they move it would look pretty cool too).
Crashing into one of the big hot air balloons is not nearly as satisfying as it should be :)
Just an aesthetic note, but the yellow smoke trail is a bit unappealing. A red color might show up better against the background, and the color does add a hint more excitement.
Or perhaps some simple customization where you choose your smoke color at the start (also functioning as the start button).
Other than that... very fun. Definitely could get popular on facebook with challenges and best scores/times for each level and overall, or just as a fun way to pass time.
It can be a YC interviewees (but really everyone welcome) meetup. Nov. 4th is the date when a lot of us will be together in one city, so I'd like to meet some people then.