The gist of his presentation was that we cannot continue growing exponentially in a finite system, and we should not try and "fill the gap" between post-conventional-oil-peak supply and demand.

Peak Oil highlights a much bigger issue - unsustainable consumption on a limited planet. Oil & natural gas may be the most prominent unsustainable resources (to industrial societies), but it's part of a much bigger problem. Other speakers noted that biofuels can cushion the fall - and they will - but large-scale biofuel production takes land out of food production, and further depletes water resources, and enables us to consume other resources.

As you paraphrased, "We need to figure out how to have a high standard of living while using less and less energy." I would say we need to embrace having a lower "standard of living", and reconsider what it really means to have a high standard of living.

And more thanks, Stuart, for this superb write-up. I feel like a virtual conference attendee.