Well, technically human work isn't energy input, like every action it's an energy expenditure ;) But yes, we all too often overlook using our own bodies to perform work, which is indeed quite frustrating. And insofar as the technicalities go, being as we're paying the energy costs (in rice and corn) to have the humans around in the first place, we might as well put that energy to use.

Perhaps one of the greatest things I loved about going to Japan is that everyone walks. Everyone. Everywhere. You take the train or the bus from wherever in to the city for the day, and then you just walk to get where you're going. Ten blocks? A mile? Sure, I'll just walk. Hells, one of the hostels I stayed at gave free bike rentals as part of the package with the room and breakfast. A *hostel* for christ's sake. The big difference is that in Japan walking and biking are looked upon as transportation, nothing more. Whereas here in the States we look upon them as recreation, and the mere suggestion of using one's own feet for locomotion leads to blank stares.

I swear, the next time I say I'm going to walk down to the store (or other location within a couple miles) and get asked why I don't drive instead, someone's getting a thump upside the back o' they skull.