Comments on: Inflation-Adjusted Gas Prices: Do They Really Matter?

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:25:11 +0000

Well, my commute time has sure gone up. A few years ago I was able to drive to work in 5 minutes. Now, after moving, it takes me 8 minutes to walk to work. But although the time has gone up by 60%, the gasoline required has gone way down.

By: Teddy

Teddy — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 02:25:39 +0000

I don’t see any reason to believe they’re talking about the “mean”, when the article clearly states the “average”. They are distinct statistical entities.

“Nevertheless, this statistic is still irrelevant. The average commute time has grown since 1980, so even if the number of minutes worked to pay for 100 miles is lower, the number of minutes worked to pay for commutes is higher. Demand increases and prices go up, and demand has not declined as the gas prices increased.”

If average commute time has risen, it is pertinent, but it does not make the stated facts irrelevant. Also, demand does not operate in a vacuum. Your statement disregards a factor known as “supply”. You may have a good point to make (I’m unfamiliar with the details of the issue), but you’re not making it effectively.

By: Flexo

Flexo — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:30:08 +0000

What’s your point about Peak Oil? I wasn’t writing about reasons for the price increase of oil. I was writing about the statistics used to compare gas prices at the pump.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:20:45 +0000

Maybe you should do a google search on “Peak Oil” or “Hubbert’s Peak”.

By: Leroy Brown

Leroy Brown — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 22:29:44 +0000

Median salary would be a much better indicator here. All those CEOs are messing up the average.

By: Rich Slick

Rich Slick — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 15:59:41 +0000

Interestingly enough. Minimum wage in 1980 was $3.10. Adjusting for inflation (3% annually), the minimum wage today should be $6.76 but it’s still at $5.15 (federal level) so he’s off on that mark too.