The most obvious use of petroleum is to power our cars, but it penetrates our daily lives. It’s used in: plastic bags, panty hose, disposable diapers, paraffin wax, fertilizer, pesticides, shampoo, photographic film, furniture, packaging materials, surfboards, paints, clothing, upholstery, hand lotion, shower curtains, golf balls, and even contact lenses. http://www.beloit.edu/~SEPM/Geology_and_the_enviro/Petroleum_need.html

In 17^th Century Netherlands, tulips were highly sought-after and were exchange-traded. Since the flowers had yet to bloom, tulip bulbs were essentially futures contracts. “Tulip mania” pushed the price of a single bulb as high as10 times an average individual’s yearly income. Like most bubbles, tulip mania ended with a crash. http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania

The U.S. produces 26.5 billion lbs of beef annually, enough for 87.3 lbs per person. Pork production is 21.96 billion, or 72 lbs per person, and young chicken production is 32.7 billion lbs, or 107 lbs per person. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=228122