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162 comments on Olduvai Theory: Toward Re-Equalizing the World Standard of Living - Richard Duncan

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Darwinian on July 3, 2009 - 6:34pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Let's see if I get this right: by the author's definition of standard of living, if I trade in my gas-guzzler for a Prius and super-insulate my house such that my total annual energy consumption is cut in half, then by definition I would be cutting my standard of living in half.?

Joule, you can find anecdotal exceptions for ever case. But yes, on average, around the world, the standard of living can be measured by the per capita consumption of external energy. That is, the more energy available to the individual, the higher their standard of living. Again this is on average! Because I am sure you can name a few exceptions to this general rule.

Ron P.

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Nate Hagens on July 3, 2009 - 6:55pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I disagree with this perspective but probably a good % of the disagreement in this discussion is that Standard of Living in Duncans essay was defined in energy terms and not in the 'psychic satisfaction' terms we are commonly used to. I'd argue that in the end, having a higher or equal standard of living (satisfaction) with lower energy consumption will be the ultimate question/problem. We don't NEED all this energy/stuff to be happy, etc.

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Dryki on July 3, 2009 - 9:45pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

No, we don't need it. That's like saying growth can be defined by an improving "quality of life". Sadly, most people don't define it that way or understand it that way. You're into a definitional problem here, Nate. I suggest that any common way one might measure quality of life will correlate with energy usage.

State how "quality of life" is measured. And then tell me if it gets you more mates.

cfm in Gray, ME

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ccpo on July 4, 2009 - 11:17pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

As Dryki pointed out and I stated above, these things you are taking issue with are implicit in the model. How can they not be? The spareness of the model itself - and I found my self asking for more support and exposition as I read it - must be construed to include these considerations many of you are claiming aren't there. This is extremely flawed logic on your parts, imo.

Cheers

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162 comments on Olduvai Theory: Toward Re-Equalizing the World Standard of Living - Richard Duncan

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