--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The problem ... is that we have run out…" description: "\"The problem ... is that we have run out of dinosaurs to form oil with. Scientists working for the Department of Energy have tried to form oil using oth..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/dave-barry-222_animal_the-problem-is-that-we-have-run-out-of-d_1271756.jpg" --- # The problem ... is that we have run out of dinosaurs to… ![“The problem ... is that we have run out of dinosaurs to form oil with. Scientists working for the Department of Energy have tried to form oil using other animals; they've piled thousands of tons of sand and Middle Eastern countries on top of cows, raccoons, haddock, laboratory rats, etc., but so…” quote by Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/dave-barry-222_animal_the-problem-is-that-we-have-run-out-of-d_1271756.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/dave-barry-222_animal_the-problem-is-that-we-have-run-out-of-d_1271756.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/dave-barry-222_animal_the-problem-is-that-we-have-run-out-of-d_1271756.jpg) > “The problem ... is that we have run out of dinosaurs to form oil with. Scientists working for the Department of Energy have tried to form oil using other animals; they've piled thousands of tons of sand and Middle Eastern countries on top of cows, raccoons, haddock, laboratory rats, etc., but so far all they have managed to do is run up an enormous bulldozer-rental bill and anger a lot of Middle Eastern persons. None of the animals turned into oil, although most of the laboratory rats developed cancer.” [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Scientists attempted to create oil from animal remains, but the experiments failed and were costly and harmful. **In simple terms:** Attempts to make oil from animals failed and caused waste and health issues. Key Takeaway Avoid wasteful, risky experiments. Themes science environment energy risk humor Mood skeptical ironic critical Type satirical commentary When to use this quote - policy making - environmental research - budget planning - public health - risk assessment Key Concepts biomass energy production experimental failure Questions to Reflect On - What alternative energy sources could be pursued? - How can we balance innovation with safety? A Different Perspective Limited success shows biological constraints on oil formation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Bulldozers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bulldozers/) [Cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cancer/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Dinosaurs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dinosaurs/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Humorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humorous/) [Laboratory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laboratory/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Raccoons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raccoons/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) ## Related quotes > [In the form of oil I watch the cocaine boil, keep my eye on so the shit wont spoil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mobb-deep/in-the-form-of-oil-i-watch-the-cocaine-boil-keep-my-eye-on-so-the/) [Mobb Deep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mobb-deep/) > [Our cities with their swollen populations and cliff dwelling high-rise buildings are breeding places for loneliness. Neighborhoods crumble under the housing development bulldozers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-fromme/our-cities-with-their-swollen-populations-and-cliff-dwelling-high/) Allan Fromme > [I prayed very hard for this to happen and it happened. I don't even think about what I've achieved, I haven't focused on it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariah-carey/i-prayed-very-hard-for-this-to-happen-and-it-happened-i-don-t-even/) [Mariah Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariah-carey/) > [The bulldozer and not the atomic bomb may turn out to be the most destructive invention of the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-shabecoff/the-bulldozer-and-not-the-atomic-bomb-may-turn-out-to-be-the-most/) Philip Shabecoff > [In the early days, computers inspired widespread awe and the popular press dubbed them giant brains. 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It is not enough to understand the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/the-most-common-form-of-terrorism-in-the-u-s-a-is-that-carried-on-by/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [They say that faith can move mountains, so can bulldozers, so can nuclear weapons. I'm not really sure if that's what faith is intended…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/they-say-that-faith-can-move-mountains-so-can-bulldozers-so-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More by Dave Barry > [This is true; virtually all edible substances, and many automotive products, are now marketed as being low-fat or fat-free. 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Scott Fitzgerald, you'll notice two things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/if-you-look-at-any-list-of-great-modern-writers-such-as-ernest/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Don't you wish you had a job like mine? All you have to do is think up a certain number of words! 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It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The problem ... is that we have run out of dinosaurs to form oil with. Scientists working for the Department of Energy have tried to form oil using other animals; they've piled thousands of tons of sand and Middle Eastern countries on top of cows, raccoons, haddock, laboratory rats, etc., but so far all they have managed to do is run up an enormous bulldozer-rental bill and anger a lot of Middle Eastern persons. 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