alfreda89 | (no subject)

Thought I should echo this from

rolanni before returning to work.

As a science fiction writer, a part of me has always believed this could be the future, if we didn't stop squabbling and get to work about serious problems. Even my mother commented once years ago that covering farmland with parking lots did not seem like a good long-term idea. This writer suggests that we might all be alive when the long decay begins. We're no longer talking 2050--we're talking 2010. For the first time, I am considering whether to return to the midwest with its winters and my arthritis, or remain here with its weather extremes and lack of extensive farmland.

Read, and maybe start planning? Sof, how about our extended community now? (I'll miss the internet...)

The Long Emergency

What's going to happen as we start running out of cheap gas to guzzle?

By JAMES HOWARD KUNSTLER

A few weeks ago, the price of oil ratcheted above fifty-five dollars a barrel, which is about twenty dollars a barrel more than a year ago. The next day, the oil story was buried on page six of the New York Times business section. Apparently, the price of oil is not considered significant news, even when it goes up five bucks a barrel in the span of ten days. That same day, the stock market shot up more than a hundred points because, CNN said, government data showed no signs of inflation. Note to clueless nation: Call planet Earth.

The rest of the story

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

My gosh.

Is Madison Wisconsin considered the Upper Midwest?

My question is, if the author thinks lack of cheap A/C will help depopulate the Southeast/Southwest, what does he think lack of cheap heating oil/gas will do in the North? I guess you could argue that it's easier to make yourself warmer than colder, but I would think you would chew through more resources (wood/other fuels) more quickly.

Wanna be neighbors?

I guess you could argue that it's easier to make yourself warmer than colder, but I would think you would chew through more resources (wood/other fuels) more quickly.

When you're too warm, there's no place to go. (And the need for screens--Nile virus, my dear.) Cold, we can burn the old houses in the suburbs if necessary. I think this is probably alarmist--the truth is in the middle somewhere. But I'll be even more careful of some choices, in the next few years, after having this reminder.

Wanna be neighbors?

I'd love it. I'm already searching through the family for the old Royal typewriter. We can make our own paper.

Thinking some more. Not always a good thing. Have my DA horns on.

1) Doomsday scenarios sell. A tweak here and a tweak there scenarios don't.
2) Is it any coincidence that the areas of the country the author sees crashing and burning are for the most part Red, while the areas he sees surviving are for the most part Blue?

I'm not saying the author is altogether wrong--we've needed more investment in and serious exploration of alternative resources for decades. I don't know if I'll read his entire book, and don't have a firm enough grasp of the data to know where he's right or where he's blowing smoke.

Yes, I did consider that his audience was RS--

My careful thought is this--my new, "haven't been pushing them but will bring them up" topics with my congress critters will be, 60-100 mpg cars, and renewing the rail system.

It's a sensible precaution, and considering how much food moves by train, we must improve the overall train system.

We do have hydro electric possiblities here, as well as solar and wind. It is fairly easy to go back to 18th cen lack of dependance on power if a little harder day to day but for instence my mother didn't have electricity growing up and rarely went father than town. There are transportation options that require les energy that would alow us to use the resources we have for emrgency services at least conserve them longer. Bio-deisal and human powered are things he doesn't mention. Things will get more expensive but we are not looking at a total sudden break down in the culture despite our love of post apocoliptic lit.

I'm glad you think so. As I said to Kaygo, I think the truth is in the middle somewhere. But it does make one think about careful choices for the next few years.

I've read THE WORLD ENDS IN HICKORY HOLLOW. I'm ready for the end of the world in Texas...