The Oil Drum

166 comments on Peak Oil and Community Solutions Conference (Friday)

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cephlon on September 26, 2005 - 5:05pm

I would be happy to find even 10 people around me that thought the same way as I did about peak-oil, or even thought about it at all. At this point I can't even begin to think globally about this, as I can barely start to figure out what I personally should be doing. I can't change the direction of the city of Chicago, but I can get myself out of the city of Chicago and prepare as I see fit. I am not the captain of this ship so I feel no obligation to go down with it (although I may have no choice).

What I am trying to say is I don't think this problem is solvable on a global scale, but ONLY on a local scale. Perhaps if we try to solve the issues locally the global aspect will take care of itself (doubt it).

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Davidh on September 26, 2005 - 7:24pm

YES! Exactly what I'm saying. While we may have some idealized desire to save the entire world, we cannot and probably should not--even if one ignores the cost to oneself. However, a careful understanding of the consequences of acting locally should be taken into account. (for example, burning local coal deposits has a global effect... as does overpopulating... and artifically supporting populations beyond the carrying capacity). But to think that we can or should act globally is erroneous, even as I right this things may have passed a societal tipping point that will inexorably lead to some ecological tipping points, but I like to operate "as if" my local choices will make a difference, even if only to my mental stability and spiritual growth.

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Stuart Staniford on September 26, 2005 - 7:34pm

Each to his own, but for myself I'm interested in analyzing and advocating strategies that will actually work. Whether you "think local" types like it or not, we are all in this together. A major die-off will be a complete disorderly crapshoot, and no strategy is guaranteed to get you through it. So we all have a strong interest in finding strategies that work for (almost) all of us.

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cephlon on September 29, 2005 - 1:15am

I wouldn't really describe myself as a think local type, more as a do what is practical type. And right now, while less then 1% of 1% of the population is even considering the issues presented on the oil drum, it doesn't seem practical to think in a global way. While you're out there in the street screaming its the end of civilization as we know, people arn't going to listen to you. They want their McDonalds and Survivor. They will listen when the crap starts to hit the fan, but by then you are already in the middle of the crap shoot. I hope to god I am wrong, but this is my gut feeling at the moment.