I am in my mid 70's and maybe not seeing the "full picture ", but I hear time and time again how just 20 to 22% of global shipping uses the Straight of Hormuz(?), yet it seems that nearly EVERY continent and country in the world is now (suddenly?) adversely affected by this 'partial' closure of the Straight, with fuel/energy shortages/prices, food and commodity non-availability and prices sky rocketing globally.

Where is the other 80% of shipping going? And are their destinations similarly affected?

I don't get it!

Even countries which produce and refine their own crude oil, along with producing huge amounts of food , minerals and other raw materials are 'apparently' suffering similarly.

Is it just a money grab, falsely generated hysteria with panic buying and other wild reactions?

(Covid comes to mind)

Perhaps someone here can enlighten me on these global dynamics.

I'm a practical, "Can do" realist, hence the mental dilemma!

How would we handle a sizeable meteor impact? Real Ice age (not this one we're in now ), or a nuclear war?????

I think it all comes down to oil being a globally traded and priced product.........that is why the US, total self sufficient (we don't even need the strait to be open) gets hammered on prices even though they might be a net exporter.....types of oil also play a part.

Maybe just another chance for the oil conglomerates to rip off the consumer?

26 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

I am in my mid 70's and maybe not seeing the "full picture ", but I hear time and time again how just 20 to 22% of global shipping uses the Straight of Hormuz(?), yet it seems that nearly EVERY continent and country in the world is now (suddenly?) adversely affected by this 'partial' closure of the Straight, with fuel/energy shortages/prices, food and commodity non-availability and prices sky rocketing globally.

Where is the other 80% of shipping going? And are their destinations similarly affected?

I don't get it!

Even countries which produce and refine their own crude oil, along with producing huge amounts of food , minerals and other raw materials are 'apparently' suffering similarly.

Is it just a money grab, falsely generated hysteria with panic buying and other wild reactions?

(Covid comes to mind)

Perhaps someone here can enlighten me on these global dynamics.

I'm a practical, "Can do" realist, hence the mental dilemma!

How would we handle a sizeable meteor impact? Real Ice age (not this one we're in now ), or a nuclear war?????

It's in the MSM, so it must be true.

Thinking for yourself isn't allowed. Simply cower & comply. Just appreciate that they allow you to exist. They will set the price for that existence.

50 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

20 to 22% of global shipping uses the Straight of Hormuz

Based on data for 2025–2026, the Strait of Hormuz is recognized as one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, with approximately 20% to 25% of the world's daily seaborne oil trade passing through it

https://www.iea.org/about/oil-security-and-emergency-response/strait-of-hormuz

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

It's in the MSM, so it must be true.

Thinking for yourself isn't allowed. Simply cower & comply. Just appreciate that they allow you to exist. They will set the price for that existence.

Thank you for once again providing zero evidence to support your conspiracy allegations.

On 4/9/2026 at 3:31 PM, Alan Zweibel said:

Thank you for once again providing zero evidence to support your conspiracy allegations.

I had no idea what he was talking about. Too deep for me!

On 4/9/2026 at 3:31 PM, Alan Zweibel said:

Thank you for once again providing zero evidence to support your conspiracy allegations.

What evidence do I need to supply to @orchidfan the person I replied to. His thoughts & question is valid. 20ish % passes thru SoH, so why the increase. Shouldn't the increase be 20ish %, not 50%.

People can think for themselves, and question the silliness that is forced on them. Remember the 70s, when we were running out of oil. And every other fake news people believe in the MSM.

Prior to 28 Feb, oil was $70-75 a barrel, so 20% increase shouldn't be more than $15, and $90 a barrel.

20 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

What evidence do I need to supply to @orchidfan the person I replied to. His thoughts & question is valid. 20ish % passes thru SoH, so why the increase. Shouldn't the increase be 20ish %, not 50%.

People can think for themselves, and question the silliness that is forced on them. Remember the 70s, when we were running out of oil. And every other fake news people believe in the MSM.

Prior to 28 Feb, oil was $70-75 a barrel, so 20% increase shouldn't be more than $15, and $90 a barrel.

If that was how demand works, you would have a point. But it's not. When demand for something is mostly inelastic as it it with commodities for which there are no significant substitutions, prices follow something called the demand curve. Users of those goods will start to bid against each other to secure those essentials. Like oil, or fertilizer, or helium. So prices will rise disproportionately. . Now if there was a shortage say, in something that can be done without, like cut roses, for for which there are less pricey substitutes, then prices won't rise as much. Demand will simply shift to other kinds of flowers.

On 4/9/2026 at 1:52 PM, MIke B Bad said:

I think it all comes down to oil being a globally traded and priced product.........that is why the US, total self sufficient (we don't even need the strait to be open) gets hammered on prices even though they might be a net exporter.....types of oil also play a part.

that is why the US, total self sufficient ?

Self suffiient ... with all the canadian oil.

On 4/12/2026 at 11:52 AM, FlorC said:

that is why the US, total self sufficient ?

Self suffiient ... with all the canadian oil.

Okay...technically self sufficient.....it is refining capacity for certain types of crude oil that prevent true self-sufficiency as opposed to oil availability per se.