I think this is the beginnings of an economy based on perpetual growth and fossil fuel energy running headlong into geological energy constraints. Basically I see an undulatory downward path for the rest of my life. From here out, I think any rallies in our economic condition are going to be met with spiking commodity prices that knock us right back down.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject: What skills will be most required soon?
Just interested in what people think. Things are changing - Quickly. Many scenarios for the future.
So, and I'm thinking about YOUNG people now, who are just about to / or just left school.
Given the "downturn" is happening, what skills will be most required soon.
I'll start with the obvious, basics like carpentry, plumbing, farming / agriculture, light engineering - all areas.
I also think (some) computer skills, management, advertising, media, sales people, will be required alot less.
Any thoughts, leads for young people?, they HAVE MANY YEARS of this peak oil malarkey to get through, they need advice & direction, in this topic, now.
Gasmon _________________ Been there, Done that, Bought the tee-shirt
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: What skills will be most required soon?
SoylentGreen wrote:
gunsmiths and blacksmiths,saddle makers,undertakers,creamation technicians.
Doomer I guess?.
Anything positive anyone?. OUR kids will need direction, real soon.
Whats got into peak oil lately ? - Granted I've been here only a couple of months, but this whole site seems to be going downhill fast. Infiltrated by TPTB ? GWB maffia ?.
Perhaps a thread in itself. "Topics we can't discuss because of who is watching us" The us being internal (site) politics as well as outside. This site is getting like the politics at work. A secret inner sanctum rules. - suppose it does everywhere, human nature.
Ah well, it takes all sorts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gasmon _________________ Been there, Done that, Bought the tee-shirt
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: What skills will be most required soon?
Well,
I'm not a doomer.
However, I think skills such as basic sewing, gardening, repairing things, etc are needed for everyone.
Economic hard times are ahead(this is just the start.).
Joined: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 13065 Location: naive idiot fantasy world
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: What skills will be most required soon?
GASMON wrote:
Anything positive anyone?. OUR kids will need direction, real soon.
Sorry, it just seems like we discuss this topic so much in the Planning Forum, it's kind of redundant to discuss it here too, but , here goes some ideas in no particular order:
Watershed management
Rainwater harvesting
Carpentry and other building skills
Woodcutting
Solar oven manufacture
Metalworking
Fiber arts
Gardening, especially permaculture
Sewing
Animal husbandry
First aid, medical & veterinary skills
Foraging
Horticulture
Forestry
Hunting/trapping
Small business/home business administration
Bicycle repair
Small engine repair
Woodworking with hand tools, joinery
Leather making
Shoemaking
Moonshining, cider-making
Cooking
I recommend general making things/fix-it skills, what Monte refers to as "being a McGyver type." _________________ "...powerdown so soft and fluffy you'll think you're living in a pillow." - jboogy
Last edited by Ludi on Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: What skills will be most required soon?
every town will need a guy who can ring a bell and push a heavy cart while yelling "Bring out your dead." _________________ If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: What skills will be most required soon?
I think there will be a need for people who can market things. Traders will do okay. People will need a little entertaining, so travelling musicians may do ok. There will still be people living in reduced circumstances, so anything that deals with what they need will do okay. Knife sharpeners, tinkers, shoemakers and tailors will all make a re-appearance.
I was at the farmer's market today. Lots of produce from all sorts of farms. We will need people to be a part of that, for sure. _________________ Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: What skills will be most required soon?
I think the skills needed during the transition to a lower energy society are often overlooked. Everyone can think of what might be needed if we return to a lower technology world. What skills are going to be needed to get us there?
Leadership
Civil engineering
Teachers
City planning
Railroad construction
Plumbers
Electricians
What else?
We know how to live in a lower tech society. We haven't done it in a while, but the knowledge is there. We have examples, memories and histories.
We don't know how to move from a society built on cheap fossil fuels to one with expensive and ever more scare energy. It's never happened before. At least not at anything approaching the current scale. What 'transition talents' might be most needed and most valuable? _________________ Civilization is a personal choice.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: What skills will be most required soon?
Being able to fit all your belongings in a 10sq ft nanostudio apartment for $4000/month is a big one. Then there's being able to squish your body enough to type in a 2ft x 2ft confined space for 12 hours a day. _________________ People first, then things, then dollars.
There will be enslavement, cannibalism, & zombie invasions.
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