How then, do we move backwards? How does a society, with most of the people having no clue of future events, move from being dependent on a vast and intertwined network of goods and services produced by the indigenous people of whereever, to a local resource and renewable energy based society, and do so in the timeframe available (20-30 years using the most liberal extimates, 10-20 with resonable estimates, 5-10 with worst case scenarios), all the while prices on everything increasing, world politics getting more militaristic, governments continuously reducing civil liberties, shortages of goods on the market and weather patterns resembling bad Hollywood movies?
I am still up in the air about how quickly things will get bad when the economy starts to slide. I am not undecided about how people will react when life gets uncomfortable. People are going to lose their minds.
My evidence? The gasbuddy.com forums. I stop in about once a week and read some posts. I think it is safe to say that these guys represent the majority opinion. It pretty much comes down to:
* WE'RE REALLY PISSED OFF!
* It's all a conspiracy.
* Corporations are crooks.
* Motor vehicle fuel is a sacred entitlement.
* It's all the government's fault.
* It's all the media's fault.
* The government should do something to fix the problem.
* One of these days we're going to get REALLY MAD and do SOMETHING!
Attempts to interject logic and facts have pretty much the same effect they would have on a stampeding herd.
I read PO.com a lot, so sometimes I develop a false idea of large numbers of people actually comprehending the problems. Then I get smacked in the face by the real world and realize we're screwed.
The herd always runs in the wrong direction. Just get out of harms way, stay away from "gasbuddies & gasmobsters" _________________ Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
The comments in those forums are comedy gold to me. _________________ In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule. – Nietzsche
Time makes more converts than reason. – Thomas Paine
History is a set of lies agreed upon. – Napoleon Bonaparte
It's worse than that. When these posters aren't in the gas forums flaunting their ignorance, they're in the voting booths deciding our future leadership.
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:08 pm Post subject: Re: gasbuddy.com forums
Well, those were interesting! Gas buddy discovers peak oil. That's pretty much the response I get when I mention peak oil anyplace except with friends who are in the know or on this forum. Most people feel ripped off every time they go to the gas station. They'll be filling their oil tanks soon and then the wailing will really commence. It's a plot by the oil companies! The only bright spot I see is that it has fostered conservation. Everyone is using less, no matter if they believe in peak oil or not. Lately I just listen. The common man is sounding more and more like us peak freaks every day!
I have absolutely no sympathy for these idiots, whatsoever. This situation would be so amazingly and completely funny...if it weren't so scary to think about how these idiots will respond too. _________________ In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule. – Nietzsche
Time makes more converts than reason. – Thomas Paine
History is a set of lies agreed upon. – Napoleon Bonaparte
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