High oil prices are the economy's nervous system, signaling urgent adjustments. Nixon's price controls in the 1970s distorted markets, leading to shortages and inefficiencies like chicken farmers smothering chicks. Today's surge forces consumers to cut back on travel and heating, while producers seek energy savings and alternatives. Liz Truss's pledge to cap energy bills in 2022 encouraged wasteful consumption, highlighting the danger of suppressing price signals. These shocks ultimately spur innovation in solar, batteries, and nuclear energy, proving adaptation is possible even after severe disruptions.