Hi, new here.

GoghGoner · Heavy Crude Joined: Apr 10, 2008 Posts: 492

Welcome. Interesting post. The future looks really grim to me but I'm no psychic.

socrates1fan · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 04, 2008 Posts: 284

Hi, I'm new here.
I'm finishing up middle school and I learned about PO recently.
Once I become very interested in something nothing else matters for a few hours and I research it like a mad dog.
I am no expert and I probably don't have as much knowledge as the adults on here but I really wanted to join PO to find out as much as I could.
I don't believe it will be deadly( at least here in the US.) because there is enough farmland to feed everyone in the case of starvation but I can imagine a future where people depend on public transportation much more then they depend upon cars.
Interstates, highways, and multiple back roads will be used far less.
Steam will be used again in trains I believe and solar, wind, and biofuels power will replace a lot of things so that we can have water pumps and electricity.
We humans are witty in times of need. I do believe that people are going to have to be more resourceful in order to prevent dependence on a big box store or a country with questionable loyalty.
I do think people don't realize that gas prices are to an extant due to peak oil. I believe since we have reached about half of the world oil supply in the past century and a half that we shall be experiencing reduction.
The idea that as many Americans began to use public transport that we won't suffer peak oil seems ridiculous to me.
Unless gas becomes beyond levels of practal people are going to use it.
The environment and local suffering didn't stop people from using it before.
I think the issue is far worse than the government or oil companies wish to tell the over all public but I don't think it is a big conspiracy either.
I know people who have had to sell valuables that have been passed on in their family from as early as the civil-war so that they can pay for gas and groceries.
A lot of people here also have to choose between their mortgage and electric bill which I find very sad.
Groceries are becoming very expensive especially in grain and corn based products. Things that make up a great deal of not only my family's diet but also everyone’s diet in this region.
I think all too often we think it will pass and we pay to much tribute to past events. It always shocks me that professionals would say the things they would while scientists are telling people to be resourceful and work together to soften the blow of peak oil.
Ever since I've been trying to use gadgets less, walk more, eat healthier, eat less junk, use less water, and try and take advantage of the features in my older home. Large windows that allow air flow and natural light save a lot on the electric bill (which is supposed to be raising here soon.) and being wise about using water will also help I assume.
My family was never rich to begin with. We are lower-middle class and we have a 30mpg car and we live in an urban area so we don't have to spend a lot on gas but often we have to cross the region to visit relatives and do business(my parents work in the photo business.) and it costs us a lot to travel on interstates.
We often talk about how great it would be to have a train between so and so location and our destination so we don't have to spend as much on traveling.
Living in the city and having a yard where the landlord poured chemicals has made it impossible to have a functional garden or grow herbs and spices. Regardless if PO was here or not I want to have a garden for quality and health and I want to be more independent.
At my age I wish to continue my education until I am out of college.
My choice of major does not get me much money but i believe in the long run money won't matter.
A lot of people on here are all doomsday. The only doomers there should be is for Africa and parts of Asia because they are bound to suffer much more.
I have always had a general knowledge of Midwestern history and urbanism which is why I adore my region and couldn't leave in the face of danger. I am not about to give up Victorian row-houses and gothic steeples for endless plains and 20 year old towns.
Fortunately my region has great soil. The English actually thought the French who established many Midwestern towns were trying to hide it from them.
My aunt and uncle used to have a large garden that had green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, corn, and strawberries.
I remember many times we had meals made from that great garden and it produced vegetables almost weekly.
Hard times hit the parts I lived in badly and many are unaware of the reason behind rising grocery and oil prices. I was unaware until recently.
Making ends meet my family cannot buy a plot of land out in the countryside for it costs quiet a bit and property taxes are not something we can afford.
I talk to my family often about getting a garden and my Dad encourages self-dependence amongst us.
Livestock maybe in the future but right now I think a garden would be best.
The trick is planting it and having available CHEAP food until its producing food itself.
Since I learned of PO it really made me realize the god-awful lifestyle we have. Never should we socially go backward, but our lifestyles are so snobbish. We haven't lived within our means for decades and it’s not good for us.
Since then I've improved my skills in sewing, cooking, and over all ability to scavenge when things get tight or to save a few bucks.
Unfortunately many of my neighbors know little of PO but many are turning to electric scooters and turning off lights during the day.
I believe the world will not end, but it will have to change. The world is over populated and too designed for humanity.
We need to deal with the fact that to remain here longer we must be okay with nature being in control and a society based off of ancient carbon-based life form juices is not a stable one.
Dooming won't help. We must prepare for hardships and not be so quick as to abandon fellow human for our own selfish desires.
Things will be more expensive and crime will go up but eventually things will become better, but our lifestyles will be very different.
Cars will not be gone but there shall be far less and cross country travel will be impractical.
I don't understand why the media always tries to avoid issues like PO.
Sometimes I wonder if it is in the government's best interest or oil companies?
Just my thought though.:D

wisconsin_cur · Moderator Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 3211

Welcome, please feel free to look around the freak show. There is a lot of good information but, please, if a contributer seems to be just a little off their rocker, just remember, we are just folks on the internet. Nothing more.

Sounds like your parents are good resources and that in the little time you have concentrated on the topic has paid off. Keep up the good work. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Cur
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“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”

J.R.R. Tolkien