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We use them to power everything which makes sense. But so much of our technology is also based on plastics and we have been concentrating on refining and advancing plastic technologies so much that we practically depend on them. They constitute materials used buildings, transportation, clothing, weaponry, furniture, cosmetics, and all kinds of other different products. But why did we start refining fossil fuel technologies over more traditional technologies such as rock, wood, metal, plants products, animal products etc.? From a historical perspective, what incentivised us to invest in plastics over more organic materials?
Edit- why ever ask questions on reddit if all you ever do is get downvoted?🙄
To add & expand to what others said:
Petrol is a bulk product.
- Two gallons Diesel from the same oil field will be exactly identical assuming the same recipe is used. This makes it CONSISTENT. AS. HELL. Very few industries even today can boast this level of consistent output. You say "I want this grade in that quantity" and it shows up
- It's a source of bulk carbon. You just plug in your petrol and can convert it into a whole host of things. Most other materials need a massive amount of treatment in order to cough up those basic carbon rings.
Petrol has an incredibly high energy density
Self-explanatory I think.
And yeah stable etc but others have covered that.
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