The whole Katrina thing is raising questions that I am not sure that I am equipped to answer.

First, the almost total collapse of the communication infrastructure in and around NOLA. We (the US) pride ourselves on have the lastest and greatest when it comes to techno gear. This disaster has shown that we have over estimated our readiness and under estimated nature. How do we deal with these issues in the future?

Second, the pricing of fuel. Disregarding the obvious price gouging that will occur. How will the major increase in transportation fuel costs affect this country.What will the future of our cities be like? Think about this...we are now to a point where $5+/gal gas is not laughable. What does that do for cities? Does it force the people to move back into them? Do the burbs empty out? Does culture and neighborliness come back into vogue. The reason for cities in the past was that people needed to be close to where they worked and walking and mass transit were what was available. Time and distance had not been conquered by the internal combustion engine. Will this shock reverberate into the future? If cities come back as viable economic units, how will that affect thinking about mass transit? Will it become the new focus of government. I am not saying the auto is dead. I have too much invested in mine to abandon it without a fight and tears. I am just wondering out loud as to the repercussions of this event.