"The Long Emergency"..the future, collapse, revo-

[RenegadeSam]

First off, anyone here who has read the book The Long Emergency will have a good grasp on what im talking about.

I have been wondering if an actual revolution will turn out neccesary. With the approaching cataclysms of peak oil, climate change, world war, ect, will a violent revolution even be neccesary? I think that once oil starts getting expensive, western capitalism/imperialism/globalism will just burst and collapse on itself, leaving impotent governments and obsolete econimc/living arrangements.

After that, I belive, it will all be up to invdividual local communites. Maybe after the disasters of globalism fresh in thier memory, they will be more open to a "radical" way of living?

What are your thoughts on that?

Sam

[novemba]

I feel like you basically just describe communism to us.

The only thing is the world is up for a higher powers taking, we have to make sure its the right one. ;)

[RenegadeSam]

Yeah but what im saying is that modern society will overthrow itself due to its near-sightedness and wastefulness. And I wouldnt say the world is up for grabs, only small immediate areas where people live..I dont think anyone is really gonna be able to amass the kind of power and influence that we have seen in the past.

Basically, I think we might have another good long Dark Age coming..

Comments?

[redstar2000]

That's because you've been reading too many "end of the world" nutballs.

Last Days -- The "End of the World" Scenarios (http://redstar2000papers.com/theory.php?subaction=showfull&id=1083629387&archive=&cnshow=headlines&start_from=&ucat=&)

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[Super Mario Conspiracy]

The ruling class will always find a way. If it isn't oil, then it will be solar-energy, batteries, or something else (methane, someone?).

The only possibility I see in "self collapsing" is globalization. When globalization finally establishes worldwide, when it have destroyed every human life, the environment, extincted every animal who lives in the "extinction phase" - then, maybe, humans will rise up and crush them.

And even if resources do eventually end up - there is always another resort for "them": fascism.

[RenegadeSam]

But RedStar, im not saying anything about the end of the world, just the changing of the status quo..Yall really show take a look at this book, its a great read.

And I thought they already were beginning to see oil production tapering off in places like Saudi Arabia?

I dunno, maybe The Long Emergency is a bit alarmist, but the author raises some good points, and paints a good picture, one of localization, responcibility, community, ect. I have found myself actually hoping for these long emergencies to happen because I think it actually WILL be good for humanity.

On the topic of alternative energy- name one source that does not rely on an underlying support structure of cheap oil