So, as with most horrific apocalypses the media regularly waves at us, it seems that predicting the consequences of the BP oil spill requires quite a bit more nuance, and sophistication, than it would at first appear. In other words, all the chicken-little "ZOMG!!1!! EVIL OIL COMPANIES R GONNA KILL ALL THE BIRDIES IN THE WORLD FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER!1Q!eleventy!!!" hysteria may make everyone on the left side of the peanut gallery feel good, but it would appear there's a chance, and a reasonably decent one at that, that anyone who wants may be able to walk along the gulf coast five years from now, none the wiser.