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108 comments on Peak Oil, Sustainability and the Problem of Freedom

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WebHubbleTelescope on June 7, 2009 - 9:59pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Do we have a dilemma here? On the one hand if we use humankind's innate heuristics we will flounder in the Nash equilibrium, consuming all available resources according to the greedy algorithm(*)
Alternatively, we can actually try to understand the math and potentially get us out of our predicament? But you say that we don't use math, so we are doomed.

A better way to think about this is the totality of he masses will always use heuristics, but a group of policy-makers applying an understanding to the problem at hand will at least give us a chance to analyze our way out of the problem. As long as they are unbiased and remain objective as to what is the best plan forward.

(*) greedy algorithm -- the name of a CompSci meta-heuristic used to solve computational problems more efficiently. It basically grabs the maximum allowable amount at each iteration.

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souperman2 on June 7, 2009 - 11:05pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I have what might be a some what unique situation within this TOD tribe/community.

I have a regular group of a dozen or so high school aged people hanging around the house on a regular basis, (they actually like hearing me spout off). Then I have a steady stream of 10 – 13 year olds plugged into the mix and many of them are holding their own on these topics but are understandably flighty. On top of that we include a group of 75 to 95 (yes 95) year olds in our gatherings as support for our neighborhood. They have some interesting in put too..

There is no common ground. The common ground is “you can’t possibly understand”.

I am ripped apart trying to mediate these cross gatherings when I attempt to inject real issues like resource constraints, American Imperialization, or Climate change. I am considered a total whack job and inevitably become the focal point of everyone denialist rhetoric.

You might be thinking WTF just quit.

I actually like this position.

The power is intoxicating.

I am the only “sane” one in the room, what ever that means.

If only I could take the next step and CA$H in on this dynamic.

Then I would truly become an AMERICAN.

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WebHubbleTelescope on June 8, 2009 - 1:04am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Tell the youngsters that this is just like the TV show "Numb3rs".
We are all working on a whodunnit ... just that the stakes are higher.
After awhile it will turn into the show "CSI", and we will be doing forensics and an autopsy.
That's really the american way.

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108 comments on Peak Oil, Sustainability and the Problem of Freedom

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