Earth Overshoot: Running on Empty

53 Comments on "Earth Overshoot: Running on Empty"

Davy on Tue, 18th Aug 2015 7:55 pm 



FRAUD ON A GLOBAL SCALE
“The global agreement to phase out fossil fuels that is being discussed around the world ahead of the Climate Summit in Paris would significantly help curb the Ecological Footprint’s consistent growth and eventually shrink the Footprint.”

I chose to call this a fraud for a few reasons. One reason is this talk is just talk. It is more of the usual extend and pretend. It is a lie and does more harm than good by breeding complacency. The greens are guilty in this respect preaching a carbon free world that is pure fantasy when reality tested for cost and time scale. Techno’s lie too with their bright ideas for limitless power from fusion or geoengineering carbon reductions. Brown techno’s talk about clean coal and gas like mom and apple pie. Traditional conservative uptight boomer browns are just playing the lobby game by either finding ways to make money or watering down policies that are too draconian.

It is a fraud because we can’t do anything about climate, overshoot, and poverty without first having a die off. Even an economic depression will still not help but a little. We cannot reduce carbon with such a large population that is also growing and growing its consumption levels. Both population and consumption levels must drop to accomplish something. If either of those conditions occurs the end of globalism occurs. We are scared now about a very small amount of deflation. HA, try 30% drop in economic activity and 10% drop in population as the appetizer. Yea baby that will kick some butt. Imagine the talking heads and the 24 hour news with that kind of mojo on the news.

We are screwed, blued, and tattooed. Why not admit this and begin preparations? The reason we can’t admit this is we are no better than the superstitious man we all like to look down upon from the Middle Ages. You know the ones that thought the earth flat and the sun revolved around the earth. The difference now is we have this mistaken belief we are exceptional through technology and complexity frills of every sort. We have been habituated to progress and growth. The cornucopian mentality is a mentality of superstition. It is based upon feelings that are above reality. This is because we are taught to be positive and optimistic so we achieve and prosper.

What is needed is simplicity that is found in humility. We need relative sacrifice. We need acceptance of death and loss or prosperity. What we will get is the continued cornucopian fare until it ain’t. When it ain’t is when there are going to be some pissed off people. There are so few that are mentally prepared for what is ahead. The cultural narrative is going to go from the talking heads fluff to emergency broadcasting network announcements. How can a people adapt to that? This is why the world talking about carbon reduction is a fraud. It is denial and unreality that is just going to make things worse.

apneaman on Tue, 18th Aug 2015 9:34 pm 



Cuba on edge as drought worsens

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/17/us-cuba-drought-idUSKCN0QM1P220150817

Makati1 on Tue, 18th Aug 2015 9:47 pm 



The herd is thundering toward the abyss, all eyes on their I-pads and their brain disengaged. A few have cut to the edge and made their exit, but that will only delay the inevitable. There is no time to make the changes needed to save the species, or the ecology.

Mother Nature is clearing the slate for a new ecology she has been planning from the moment she saw how homo sapiens was going to behave. If there is ever going to be another “intelligent” species, it will be millions of years in the future when the radiation and pollution has been absorbed back into the earth’s molten core and a new world, like nothing we can imagine today, evolves.

After all, scientists say the earth has a few billion more years before it dies and is consumed by the sun. Time for several more ecology experiments. My bet is that the next intelligent species will be a form of rat. They are already intelligent and have opposable thumbs just like humans. I would love to be there and see what evolves.

apneaman on Tue, 18th Aug 2015 9:58 pm 



With a stunning 7 million acres burned so far, the U.S. wildfire situation is looking dire

“Two hundred members of the military are being called up to help further — they will be trained and deployed within just a few days — as are Canadian firefighting forces. There’s even some talk of potentially needing to draw on resources from Australia and New Zealand, which has been done before in a pinch.

And no wonder: Five states are now battling more than 1o large wildfires — California is contending with 16, Idaho 21, Montana 14, Oregon 11 and Washington 17. Most terrifying, perhaps, is the Soda Fire, which has scorched 283,686 acres in Idaho, burning up ranches, killing wild horses, even generating an alarming fire whirl recently.”

“Competition for resources right now is extremely tight. As of yesterday there was outstanding orders for crews of 160 crews. They’re still looking for, there are no more shower units, there are no more catering units. A lot of the stuff we rely on to come in and give us a hand is being used….The truth of the matter right now is that between Oregon, Washington, Northern California, Idaho got very busy, Nevada’s busy, Colorado’s busy, there’s just a real strain in all the resources we have right now.

And that was several days ago — the situation appeared to have heightened even further Tuesday.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/08/18/with-7-million-acres-burned-so-far-this-year-the-u-s-wildfire-situation-is-looking-dire/

200 US Army soldiers to fight wildfires in Western states as budgets shrink

“Although there are more than 29,000 civilian firefighters currently battling flames in states such as California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, fires have managed to burn through more than 1 million acres. Severe drought conditions and high temperatures have made wildfire season worse as well, with the average now 78 days longer than they were 40 years ago, according to NBC News.

More than 100 houses have also been destroyed in Idaho, Oregon and Washington in the past three days.”

http://www.rt.com/usa/312697-army-soldiers-fight-wildfires/

California inmates are fighting wildfires; are paid essentially nothing
Inmates work long hours under brutal conditions for only $2 a day

““Conservation camps” is the term used to describe the 4,000 prison inmates who are responsible for fighting California’s wildfires. A San Francisco-based news station, KQED traveled with one of the 16-member crews as they fought the 22,600-acre Bully Fire in northern California. Inmates carried 100 pounds of gear and hiked for hours in 115 degree heat– not including the heat from the fire.

The average firefighter in the state will earn around $34 an hour. These inmates earn $2 in a whole day.”

“Still, since these inmates are not legally employed, they don’t get any of the rights that come with it, such as disability or worker’s compensation in the event of injury. Unfortunately, it seems there is no alternative in the near future: “If our criminal-justice system had to pay a fair wage for labor that inmates provide, it would collapse,” said Alex Friedmann, managing editor of Prison Legal News in an interview with the American Prospect. “We could not afford to run our justice system without exploiting inmates.”

http://www.salon.com/2014/08/01/california_inmates_are_fighting_wildfires_are_paid_essentially_nothing/

Pennsyguy on Tue, 18th Aug 2015 10:16 pm 



The previous comments say it all.

Makati1 on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 12:02 am 



The 3rd world is coming to America…

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2015/08/18/Lice-in-25-states-are-resistant-to-over-the-counter-treatments/5401439923014/

http://www.mybudget360.com/retirement-savings-55-and-older-gao-report-pensions-half-americans-no-savings/

“States raising taxes, fees and debt to pay for road repairs”

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HIGHWAY_FUNDING_STATES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/18/more-americans-cut-spending-to-pay-for-prescription-drugs.html

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2015/08/17/Natural-uranium-found-in-two-major-US-aquifers/9411439830940/

http://cassandralegacy.blogspot.jp/2015/08/the-obesity-epidemics-another-problem.html

http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detroit/detroit-neighborhood-terrorized-by-metal-thieves-who-are-stripping-vacant-homes

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/police-thieves-stealing-downspouts-scrap-metal-eas/nnKSk/ (Pittsburgh, PA)

https://www.toledoblade.com/State/2015/08/17/Police-say-man-set-himself-on-fire-in-attempted-suicide.html

And down the slide we go…

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 12:14 am 



Summer crisis tests Europe’s new nationalisms

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/17/us-europe-migrants-nationalism-analysis-idUSKCN0QM0EG20150817?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 12:15 am 



Germany expecting 650,000 refugees this year: report

Germany is to raise its prognosis for the number of refugees expected to come to the country this year drastically, a paper says. The UN has called on all European states to do their share in looking after the migrants

http://www.dw.com/en/germany-expecting-650000-refugees-this-year-report/a-18654895

James Tipper on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 12:33 am 



The problem with these types of predictions is that they focus on global warming. They should take a look at peak oil. Convincing people we should care about global warming and not peak oil is like trying to tell people about WWII when WWI hasn’t even started. It would be simply preposterous to think that people should care about it.

And there’s good reason too. With global warming you can get a lot of feel good initiatives for solar, wind, urban farming, and reducing waste. These things are not bad mind you but they put band-aids over flesh wounds. In other words in the minds of many in the global warming community (not scientists mind you) is that we should not worry. The though process for them is that climate changes will be minor to us, we don’t need to take drastic action or anything.

With peak oil it’s the opposite, once you understand it and that your lifestyle in resource means in unsustainable then not wanting to take action indicates sociopathy. But it’s hard. It’s hard to cut back, it’s hard to accept less. Imagine an American politician telling people they will have to cut back, drive less, and use less energy. Jobs would be lost and the sheer pessimism of their plan would unsure their unelectability. In other words it would be unthinkable.

Really Earth Overshoot for resources started far before the 1970’s, I don’t know when though. Probably early 1900’s when oil started to be implemented more we started using more than one earth worth of resources. Of course this is dishonest too, just because we only use one Earth of resources doesn’t mean all those resources are replaceable. But let’s keep more cornporn coming

dubya on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 12:38 am 



Just today I was mulling over the situation, and if around Rio ’92 during a G20 meeting there was an announcement that duplicated Davy’s comment and the leaders all took it seriously it would explain much:

The complete lack of Climate response (why bother? it will just upset the populace)

The militarization of the police. Might as well stop the minor riots & keep the 1%ers safe for now; or at least give them that impression.

The occasional announcement that something will happen (keeps those in the know optimistic) with absolutely no follow through.

The continuing forecast of Growth (in Oil production and GDP) despite all evidence to the contrary.

Publishing ridiculous employment statistics despite all evidence to the contrary.

The complete lack of Population discussion, or any kind of long-term refugee math (Sweden will take all the refugees from North Africa)

Adamc18 on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 1:14 am 



Why criticise the messenger? The article merely says how bad things are and suggests what measures we should be taking.

I’m also not sure what people who propose that we should be ‘preparing’ for global catastrophe mean, apart from yelling ‘I told you so’ in the midst of the chaos.

it is interesting that virtually all of the opposition to the reality of what we face comes from the right political wing of the English-speaking world; the US, Canada, UK and Australia. Can anyone suggest why we have these pockets of idiocy?

theedrich on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 1:42 am 



Well, of course, discussing the overshoot predicament is impossible.  We have the rock:  the mythical statement in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal.”  And then we have the hard place:  Earth’s biospheric limits.  Add in the merry myth from the book of Genesis that all (White) men are guilty because they initially ate the wrong fruit, then have the media play innumerable sob stories for mass entertainment, and we have a prescription for accepting unlimited numbers of primitives from Barbaria.  Pour countless amounts of globalist and criminal money into the American bribe-ocracy, and the entire world system is cemented into the growth model.

The shills for technomagic and various other insanities can be counted on to delude and defraud the lemmings even as the final crash takes place.  Because no one will be willing to say just which portions of mankind must be jettisoned first.  It’s the American Way.

MrNoItAll on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 1:57 am 



Mother Nature will take care of business. Always has, always will. She’s just waiting for the right moment to lay down a brutal rendition of “survival of the fittest”.

Those of us who are living today have both the historical privilege and the doomed fate of being first-hand witnesses to the unfolding of one of the greatest die-offs that planet earth has ever witnessed. But only those relative few of us who are able to read the writing on the wall are cognizant of this approaching calamity.

The Gods are seated in their high places, popcorn and soda in hand, ready for the extravagant spectacle to begin, preparing to witness their creation in motion at one of its most intense moments in deep geological time. It won’t be long now. What a show it is going to be!

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 2:25 am 



I remember how when I was a young teenager in the early 1980’s thinking how lucky I got being born into such marvelous technological times. I 100% believed that we would have a Mars colony by the 2000’s and all sorts of other awesome stuff. Totally Awesome Dude! Aliens too. That bullshit techno-utopianism was mild compared to what they serve up today. May the gods be with you travelers.

Davy on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 6:27 am 



Let’s see what happens when I crisis hits. That’s when real change happens. How this crisis unfolds is critical. Let’s clarify crisis for a better understanding of what will be needed for change. We are in a crisis now per the opinion of many here. Ape man covers the climate mojo daily. I have no optimism on the climate front. I feel it is either bad stuff or the end stuff coming. What has me spooked lately is the fossil carbon and methane locked up in the perm frost and ocean sediment. That is a mine field for life as we know it if it phase changes.

I have read enough climate history to know abrupt climate change is and has been a reality. We are likely in one now and we could have a changed climate in just a few years. Can I remind you that stable climate has allowed 7BIL people through food production? If our climate is facing abrupt change AND oil is close to depleting beyond a satisfactory economic energy contribution point we could very well have a crisis of food and fuel. Food is the critical element for society. If food runs out there can be no complexity of a global system. Folks we barely have enough food reserves to see us through a year now. Far too many nations are food importers. Two consecutive bad harvests is a game changer.

I am seeing the variables lining up now with oil and climate. The oil problem is complex with an economic element and geological element. If we are seeing demand destruction we are going to have supply reductions. I believe the economy is set to break to a lower level. I am not sure if we will pass the point of a catastrophic bifurcation. This situation is when we have a contraction that breaks through a stable range for us to have a global economy as we know it. A contraction would be bad for food and fuel but the end of globalism as we know it will bring on widespread famine even in those areas that are food exporters now. Food distribution is a significant part of why globalism is so important to 7Bil people.

Modern agriculture is so dependent on petro chemical inputs it will not function without them. I know I had a 1000 acre corn and soybean farm. Farming without fossil fuels even in the 3rd world is completely inadequate as a backup plan. All manner of modern living is based upon fossil fuel energy in the form of electricity and oil. Transport is vital above all with fossil fuels. Our grid is fragile and must be serviced and supplied so oil is the key ingredient. Oil is depleting and it is always in danger of supply disruptions.

A crisis will be food and fuel related in my opinion. War is possible but I know the powers to be understand globalism enough to know no country or group of countries can go it alone as in the past. This will prevent a war initially IMHO. I am not sure once SHTF how the war variable will play out. A great war today will be the end of globalism that much is clear. I believe this crisis that will change everything will be food and fuel related. It may be induced by economics or climate.

If we keep on ticking for another 5 years it may be the oil brick wall that Short’s thermodynamic analysis in Hill’s Groups ETP describes. Oil is the brick wall in the medium term. The economy is in play now. Climate is the trump card floating around. Food and our vital complexity are hanging in the balance. When these are disturbed we will have crisis and we will have change.

The degree and duration of this crisis is the critical element of change for the good or the worse. There is no way to predict that now. Unfortunately we are not going to take positive steps without crisis. If the crisis is the wrong kind we may not get positive steps. In any case 7BIL people are in overshoot so a significant reduction in population is required with or without good or bad responses to a crisis. There might be time and there may be some good changes buying us more time but there will be no happy ending.

If you are a cornucopian now you are a fool plain and simple. You are delusional and in denial. Some of you cornucopians are evil because you know what is happening but you lie for personal gain. This is getting down to judgement day folks. I am not being religious here I am speaking of nature and our society in nature. This is serious business and it is non-negotiable.

At the very least you should be doing some personal self-reflection on location and your preparations for food and shelter. The time frame is uncertain so this is by no means an immediate issues but I would say the best we have is 10 years but probably 5 and if luck runs out a year or two. I am a doomer and prepper so I can tell you quick prepping is not possible except with some very basic preparations. As you move up the pyramid of prep the time frame and difficulties increase drastically. It is never too late to start so don’t get discouraged. Attitude is what you need to work on first. Do it!

Kenz300 on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 9:05 am 



Climate Change is real….. we need to deal with the cause (fossil fuels)

Listen Up: Pope Calls for the Replacement of Fossil Fuels, Renewable Energy and Solar Subsidies – Renewable Energy World

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/07/listen-up-pope-calls-for-the-replacement-of-fossil-fuels-renewable-energy-and-solar-subsidies.html

Truth Has A Liberal Bias on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 9:15 am 



The collapse has begun already in the less resilient countries that have less residual coping capacity. This is decreased residual coping capacity is primarily expressed as economic weakness due to a shortage energy resources and food resources. Afghanistan and Somalia are long time failed states. Yemen, Syria, Egypt and Ukraine can now be added to the list. Soon to come are Venezuela, Guatemala, Mexico, parts of Southern Europe and more African countries. By 2023 all the dominoes will have fallen.

jackodeon on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 9:33 am 



I don’t see the point in prepping, the hungry and desperate will be coming for you from all sides…better off enjoying what time you have left.

and who would want to live in this world after the collapse? Even if you miraculously make it through that, you will then have to deal with the new climate…and very possibly a very radioactive biosphere.

Joe on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 9:44 am 



All of you whom are preppers may want to also research insects for nutrition.Assuming they can be canned like other meats,they seem the ticket for protein.

Crickets:
contain more iron than spinach, as much calcium as milk, all the amino acids, and loads of omega3 and vitamin B12, making them an unexpected nutritional powerhouse.

I hear insects are very cheap to raise.

Live long!

Joe.

ghung on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 10:04 am 



Truth Has A Liberal Bias – 2023? Gosh… I was hoping for, at earliest, 2024 so I could get a year or two on social security and Medicare.

jackodeon said; “I don’t see the point in prepping, the hungry and desperate will be coming for you from all sides…better off enjoying what time you have left.”

I am enjoying the time I have left; by prepping. Beats the shit out of being the consumer who thinks he’s enjoying what time he has left by contributing to the madness. Maybe, after things get bad enough, I’ll enjoy my time implementing my “unpreppared-consumer-who-thinks-he’s-entitled-to-my-stuff’ elimination program, eh? Meanwhile, I can think of nothing more enjoyable than becoming more self-sufficient as a family while helping like-minded folks in my small community do the same.

At some point in my distant past, it became apparent that continuing the same collective behaviour that got us into this mess in the first place was a declaration of my own insanity. Not sure why it became important to resist that (maybe watching ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ had something to do with it), and I understand that some feel that my behaviour is, indeed, insane. I’m comfortable with that.

Watching it all play out from the cheap seats.

ghung on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 10:13 am 



Joe: Crickets and Grasshoppers dry nicely in the dehydrator once they stop jumping around. Better to pull their legs off first.

ennui2 on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 10:19 am 



“Beats the shit out of being the consumer who thinks he’s enjoying what time he has left by contributing to the madness.”

That’s a matter of opinion. Some of us aren’t looking forward to eating bugs or long-pork.

Davy on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 10:54 am 



Jack-O, I will just agree with the G-man as my answer to your obvious poor excuse at being unprepared. I have no sympathy for you. Your type chimes in every time we have this discussion with the same old lame retort to a prepper comment. If you were to say I want to do something but I have no time or money I would be 100% on your side.

Davy on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 10:57 am 



Joe, when I was 18 I was into survival stuff. I ate many a grasshopper. I am thinking now that I am older and more sophisticated I would like to make a pasto of grasshopper. I can spread it on something or just eat it out of the jar. I have bees so grasshopper honey sounds appealing too.

GregT on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 10:59 am 



“Some of us aren’t looking forward to eating bugs or long-pork.”

I think it’s pretty safe to say that the vast majority of ‘us’ aren’t looking forward to that. Sadly, the longer we keep contributing to the madness, the more of us that will be eating bugs and long-pig, and the sooner it will happen.

We either stop now and plan for the consequences, or continue on doing what we are, and face even more dire consequences with no plans in effect. Some of us have opted for the former, while the vast majority are on track to experiencing the latter.

ghung on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 11:09 am 



ennui2 says; “Some of us aren’t looking forward to eating bugs or long-pork.”

And some of us will be eating fresh veggies and real pork longer than others, at least longer than those who hadn’t enough imagination and gumption to at least try. “What’s the point?” one may ask. Since there’s really no point to any of this, there’s no point in asking, eh? Once you get that part, the rest is easy.

At least I’m doing my best to not fuck up your air and water in the process of living a more self-sufficient low-consumption lifestyle, even if there’s no point to it…. uh,, actually, one minor point. It goes to confronting one’s inner sociopath; a battle worth fighting.

Arthur75 on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 11:56 am 



I never understood this stuff.

For a non renewable resource, the “sustainable consumption” (that is the amount that can be consumed each year which would make the same amount available every year), is simply zero.

So the “overshoot day” should be january 1st 0:00:00011 every year …

Joe on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 12:16 pm 



Its estimated over 2 billion people eat insects regularly.For most of those 2 billion there isnt a choice.

I’m just now looking into insects as a staple food.To many people vision eating insects as a last ditch effort to stay alive.You know foraging for bugs.

You can raise insects by the millions in a small area.You dont need to eat em alone,just put em in different dishes like you would any meat.

How long will your chickens cow,pig,dog,cat etc be around if the population is starving to death? Oh I know bring em into your house for safe keeping! ha

Just my ramblings.

Joe.

Hello on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 12:38 pm 



jackodeon:

Well said.

People seem to have this “romatic” notion of collapse and the illusion of a wonderful new world awaiting, if they only make it to the other side.

Whereas the reality to come looks very different and can be summed up in 3 words: misery, misery and more misery.

Dredd on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 1:04 pm 



“Earth Overshoot: Running on Empty”

Isn’t that called cosmic debt?

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 1:04 pm 



If one pays attention to the comments of the guys doing the serious prepping it’s apparent that they have already been enjoying a number of benefits for their efforts regardless of coming collapse. Their claims are even supported by a growing body of research clearly demonstrating that simply spending time outdoors (where we evolved for 6 million years) has significant positive psychological benefits. So does growing things and it’s a double bonus if you’re growing stuff to eat. Then there is the satisfaction of being less dependant and major dopamine hits from learning new skills and accomplishing things. I’m guessing that most of them would not have any regrets even if collapse was canceled tomorrow. As for the zombie apocalypse – lifes a crap shoot to begin with and increasing your odds of survival cannot hurt. I was thinking that there must have been thousands of working class guys from different countries that were born in the late 1800’s that went through and survived combat in WWI, poverty in the great depression and combat in WWII. Some of the European ons might have even had their homes, towns and countries destroyed – maybe twice. What are the chances?

Why gardening is good for your health/b>

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/07/08/why.gardening.good/

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 1:29 pm 



Aqua overshoot

California’s Central Valley is sinking — here’s why

“California’s drought emergency is creating a crisis in one of the world’s most important farming regions, the San Joaquin Valley — the land is becoming as unstable as its water supply.

Every six weeks, Michelle Sneed visits a white shed, checking the pulley system and recording a measurement. The numbers show that the ground beneath her feet is sinking, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.

“We’re measuring the highest rates we’ve ever measured here, among the highest rates ever measured in the entire world,” said Sneed, a hydrologist at the U.S. Geological Survey.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-drought-central-valley-sinking-land-becoming-as-unstable-as-water-supply/

GregT on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 1:51 pm 



@Hello,

“People seem to have this “romatic” notion of collapse and the illusion of a wonderful new world awaiting, if they only make it to the other side.”

And whom might these people be? Please do tell.

BC on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 2:22 pm 



Prepping reflects being well informed, intelligent, rational, self-reliant, and pragmatic; but it might only mean surviving intact for a few additional months as Mad Max-like, “war-of-all- against-all” conditions occur.

One thing that is rarely mentioned because it is so politically incorrect is that the US economy for the past 30-35 years has become increasingly feminized; that is, the fastest-growing sectors (health care, education, retail, financial services, and gov’t) consist of female employees in 65-85% of jobs. Full-time, private-sector employment for males over the period has fallen by 12% as a share of population to a similar increase for women. The overwhelming percent of jobs held by women are low- or no-productivity work compared to the previous high-value-added goods-producing employment men primarily held from the 1920s-30s to 1970s to early to mid-1980s.

The point is that a significant majority of women under age 35-40 cannot boil water or burn toast, as the old saying goes, and they don’t need to.

Younger men don’t have skills in carpentry, welding, electrical, mechanical repair, animal husbandry, or fishing, trapping, or hunting for food.

So, I suppose one possible future is spending all of our time in line for Soylent Pink, Black, Brown, and Gold cakes with processed cricket chips, and washing it down with a daily dose of soma.

I can’t wait.

BC on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 2:26 pm 



apneaman, perhaps Californication will eventually fall off the edge of the continent and sink into the Pacific after all, eh? The more people who pile in, and the more they suck the aquifers dry, the more likely there will be a giant sinking feeling.

“California Dreamin'” (although still present in Hollyweird and Silly-Con and Social Mania Valley) ain’t what it used to be, not that much ever is.

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 2:50 pm 



BC, the fastest-growing sectors will be the ones to go away in hurry. When it gets to the point of work or starve, the young men will work at whatever is available which will probably be labour intense jobs. When little oil is available it will only be used for things that provide the maximum return – like growing and harvesting wheat, corn, soy and their will always be some for waring and control. On the bright side we won’t have to endless listen to internal combustion lawn mowers and those fucking horrible leaf blowers. Solve the obesity epidemic too. It really is going to be very hard on the women in so many ways. A great deal of the gains made by social movements (women, gays, ethnic) will get rolled back in very short order. Much of our better natures and willingness to try different and/or more just social arrangements was only made possible by the cheap abundant energy. That goodwill just won’t be possible in a harsher world. Nothing personal ladies.

Boat on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 3:10 pm 



So what are you saying? Just white boys have skills? What skills you got? The ability to find a link, copy and paste? Such silly conversations.

Davy on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 3:14 pm 



Poor Boat, it has been a rough few weeks. What’s a corn to do? You have been quiet lately Boat are you sceer’d? I would be if I were a corn. Plenty of unhappy news for the happy faces.

GregT on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 3:17 pm 



@Boat,

Reading comprehension not one of your better skills?

Try reading this again, until it sinks in:

“Much of our better natures and willingness to try different and/or more just social arrangements was only made possible by the cheap abundant energy.”

ghung on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 3:35 pm 



Davy; Yep, folks tend to go on the offensive either when they smell gain, or out of fear. Fact is, most cornies are scared shitless of any story that questions the fairy tales they’ve been force-fed their whole lives, like a little yappy dog who bites anyone it thinks is going to steal its bone. Little Skippy is mightily invested in that bone. Life without it is unthinkable.

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 3:49 pm 



What skills you got? More than you I bet. You know that pipe you used to make? I’m one of the guys (BoilerMaker) who built the petro chemical plants that makes the feedstock along with a whole bunch of other nasty earth destroying infrastructure like the tar sands plants and pulp mills and refineries and tank farms. See boat I’m probably one of the most guilty motherfucker on here when it comes to my part of planet destroying money making. Journeyman ape.

Boat on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 4:16 pm 



Davy,
I work. At 58 I can still climb a ladder all day and do what is required. 107 heat index dosen’t stop me. I don’t know if I am ready for the crash but I can still handle outside work if needed. What I have learned is how to learn and adapt no matter what I am looking at. That just comes from experience.
From a high school degree I grew up in a factory. Became a production manager and eventually a quality control supervisor. Now I am doing construction and am happy to keep my hands busy. After working indoors all my life it is nice to be outside.
the thing that bothers me the most about these post is the arrogance of the posters like they know better how to work, how to survive. I have trained hundreds of workers and worked with hundreds of all types of workers. The best are usually low keyed and humble. Not the type to make outrageous statements about gender, race etc. They will give you the shirt off their back in hard times. Why boomers seem to support each other when this type of stuff go on suprises me. I bailed hay at 14-15, detasseled corn at 16. Drove truck on wheat harvest at 17. Went to work at the factory at 18. Washed dishes at two local restaurants on the weekends for 3 of those years. All I have ever know since is a 10-12 hr day till the last 4 years. I don’t need any internet idiots telling me if I can survive or what skills I need or not need. PS 3 years ago I went skeet shooting and hit 35 out of 40 after not picking up a shot gun for 25 years. I can handle a gun if needed.

Davy on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 4:25 pm 



Sounds like the kettle calling the pot black Boat. You arrogantly complain about arrogance. Maybe you needs some humility like you spoke of in your comment. I am constantly searching for humility and simplicity in my life. I am an asshole but that is primarily because I live in a world of assholes and that is how I maintain what little sanity I have.

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 4:39 pm 



boaty, in addition to working steel, I also know how to do carpentry, plumbing, electrical and most home repairs, a bunch of automotive stuff, build and troubleshoot computers, landscaping and do research like a mofo. A lot of good it will do me in a world where much of that will have way less demand. I have built wood furniture and decorative shelving and such back in the day, but always with the power tools. The only thing I ever built exclusively by hand was a bunch of tree forts when I was a kid. I messed around with my old grandpas off set hand drill (do they even make that stuff anymore?) back in the 1970’s for 5 minutes. How am I going to get anything done when I can’t charge up my 18v Dewalt or plug in my sliding compound miter saw? Many trades people and DIY ers are going to need a whole bunch of reskilling when it winds down. Can you imagine some guy who has been building houses for years in that kind of world – no power saws, no power nailers, no OSB with the nailing lines on it, no giant caulk guns of heavy duty construction adhesive, no laser levels no Home Depot? Most of us only know how to survive in the world we grew up in and if shit goes away quick enough even jack of all trades people are going to find it difficult and white collar folks will be totally useless.

Apneaman on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 5:46 pm 



Financial Doomsday Clock “One Minute to Midnight”

” It appears on the website of one of the world’s top mainstream newspapers, Britain’s The Daily Telegraph. And here’s the subhead: “China currency devaluation signals endgame leaving equity markets free to collapse under the weight of impossible expectations.”

Worried yet? Don’t be. It’s way too late.”

http://www.dailyimpact.net/2015/08/19/financial-doomsday-clock-one-minute-to-midnight/

Boat on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 6:13 pm 



I will agree with you on one thing. If you cant recharge the batteries on all the cordless tools I am out of shyt.

Joe on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 7:21 pm 



Boat,

You want to read a really silly paragraph below?

A news outlet did a story on the tooth fairy.WTF? Yea they surveyed a mess of Parents and found the wee ones are not getting as much money for their teeth vs the past!The number one reason given is lack of money across all classes of families.Everyone is BROKE!

True Story.

Joe.

Makati1 on Wed, 19th Aug 2015 8:30 pm 



With a few exceptions, it sounds like most on here have wide backgrounds that required learning some skills that will be useful after. Too bad they are not the normal, but the exception, in today’s world. Especially the Western countries that have been sucking at the colonial teat for centuries.

Desk Jockey is NOT a future career. Nor is anything connected to electronics, the internet, or economics. What do you do for a living? Will it exist after? How do you expect to survive/provide? Questions you should ask yourself honestly, if you already have not.

Apneaman on Thu, 20th Aug 2015 3:36 pm 



MEGACANCER ~ Exploring the pathology of industrial civilization.

Technological Genome

“Ribonucleic Acids (RNA) are the intermediaries between information and tools within cells just as humans are the intermediaries between information in the technological genome and the factories/ technological cell-construction sites where it is read and infrastructure and tools are made.”

“Most humans are schooled in using a small subset of tools and information. They are specialists. The initial primary and secondary education system is to familiarize the incipient RNA/human with information and give them the necessary experience for reading a broad array of information and reading of instructions for various processes. Typically humans are allowed to find the particular subset of information that they are most comfortable with and subsequently find themselves in a job using that specialized information and tools. The university or college experience is supposed to guide people into the final or penultimate vocation or career. This specialization as an RNA information and tool user is somewhat limiting to a full development of overall understanding of the system. It’s not uncommon that someone with great technical specialization and much greater than average compensation by the system, will imagine themselves to be one of society’s rare commodities and nearly omniscient in all matters when repetitive technical application actually limits their purview.”

“Children today are being prepared for specializations in the technological system which, by its destructive and consumptive nature will cease to exist within their lifetimes. And yet there is no hesitation in the process, in metabolizing the last of the natural areas in hopes of feeding the growing cancer.”

http://megacancer.com/2015/08/20/technological-genome/

Apneaman on Thu, 20th Aug 2015 3:41 pm 



Drought drives water shortage to critical stage in Sao Paulo, Brazil

http://www.latimes.com/world/brazil/la-fg-brazil-drought-20150820-story.html