[aldente]

Sure very informative what Matt put toghether. His inspiration in turn has been Michael Ruppert (http://www.fromthewilderness.com) . What I don't like about Matt Savinars style is that he asks questions just to answer them with "absolute" answers. I am aware that there is no way to escape Peak Oil, every child can understand, that at some point supply of a finite resource cannot keep up with an constantly growing demand.

He seems very self absorbed as an individual and I wonder how he makes his money these days. Some of you guys might remember how he left this forum last year August in protest since he was attacked by a certain Jay Morrison. I laughed my tail off, Jay was just hitting the spot while Matt responded nastily in response mails starting out like "hey Morrison you nutless wonder" and the like. Listed in the Hall of Flames, Matt Savinar and a wasted live:

http://peakoil.com/fortopic626.html

In that sense I don't care for the guy personally. Jay Morrison is a solid fellow on the other hand (not to be mixed up with Jay Hanson, one of the really dark angels of Peak Oil, right on the line with R.Duncan).

[FatherOfTwo]

I too had the bulk of my initial education about Peak Oil via Matt's book. And yes, it depressed the hell out of me. He doesn't hold anything back.
I like the style - it's very easy to read and he covers all the bases.
My only gripe is his foray into the 9/11 conspiracy arena. I personally feel that the 9/11 conspiracies are very shaky. Maybe they're true. But it detracts from the book. Some people I'm sure will read it and say, oh, this guy is another conspiracy nut and then everything he's had to say about Peak Oil instantly has cold water thrown on it.
It would be much better if the 9/11 section (and the future war scenarios too) were thrown out.
My $0.02 (Canadian of course!)

[Tim]

It seems like everyone has been discussing the information on his website like it is just something to talk about for awhile, exchange viewpoints and then move on to some other topic. Does anyone know how to grow food? Where do you think the best locations out west would be to set up commnities?

[EnviroEngr]

The discussion that started here was moved:
http://www.peakoil.com/post50795.html#50795

[Yavicleus]

Savinar's book is definitely eye opening. It is filled with doom and gloom though, and sprinkled with conspiracy theory type writing that may offend and turn away some readers of the right-wing persuasion.

That being said, I think he does a great job of analyzing and presenting the problem in a very easy to comprehend manner.

Overall, I liked it, but it's not a great book to use as an 'intro' to Peak Oil for people that don't know much about it. Give Savinar's book to your relatives, and they'll think you're a loony. Instead, I'd recommend something more along the lines of Heinberg's books for your intellectual friends & relatives, and something like "the End of Oil" for the rest.

[MattSavinar]

Permaculture Magazine gave The Oil Age is Over a review in their most recent issue.

They allowed me to reprint it on my site:

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/the ... sover.html

Scroll down to the bottom half of the page.

Matt

[mgibbons19]

I read the review. They do a nice job.

[threadjack]
It's funny that you can even open the book with a question like "I thought there were forty years of oil left - what's the problem?"

Just a rant, but my grandmother is ninety-fucking-two. So the most we can imagine in terms of our civilization is half her life? I'm 35, with luck I will make it to 75. And we can't imagine farther than that? My kids are 5. I hope we bequeath to them a world after they barely hit middle age.

When I'm feeling cynical, this is exactly the kind of thing that bothers me.

[/threadjack]

good job kid

[Bluster]

Dear Matt,

Please, contact me at your convenience. I would like to discuss the possibility of the re-print of the Eng of Age of Oil is Over in Brazil as well as its translation in Portuguese.

Regards,
Boris

boris@lifestylesbrazil.com

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MattSavinar', 'P')ermaculture Magazine gave The Oil Age is Over a review in their most recent issue.

They allowed me to reprint it on my site:

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/the ... sover.html

Scroll down to the bottom half of the page.

Matt

[Rebel_Shuttle]

I'm 14 years old and live in Seattle, Washington. I can't convince my parents of what will happen if they don't prepare. I'm not sure if I can convince any of my friends too. What should I do to prepare? I've looked into ways to grow food and filter water and investing in gold and silver. I could sure use some tips and or help, thank you.

[smallpoxgirl]

If I was 14, I would not approach this from a stand point of trying to acquire the right things. Knowledge is power. Read, Read, Read, Read, Read. That is of course what you are doing right now, so this is a good start. Go to the library and find all the books you can about solar energy, permaculture, etc. Read all you can about how people lived and solved problems and how comunities functioned say prior to 1930. Anything on this list would be a great place to start: http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic2616.html

The next thing I would work on would be practicing sustainable techniques. If you have a backyard, talk to your parents about turning part of it into a garden. Seeds are cheap. The main input will be your time and labor. If you don't have a yard, maybe you have room for some container plants. Find yourself a fresh roadkill racoon and braintan the hide. Learn to sew and knit. See if you can get someone in your family interested in doing some canning this summer when all the veggies are cheap at the farmer's market.

Get in shape if you aren't already. Start jogging. Yeah, I know. Jogging in the rain sucks. Nobody said life was going to be easy.

[killJOY]

You've already taken that important first step...

you took your head out of your *ss!

the rest will follow logically...

[Ebyss]

Are there any Youth groups you can join that teach survival and camping skills? (I'm thinking Scouts here, but I'm sure there are loads of different types) You'll learn tonnes of relevent stuff, and you'll build ties with a community (A very necessary part of PO). I agree with Smallpoxgirl, learn as much as you can, read books, take classes if possible, get your hands dirty and learn how to garden. Teach yourself which plants are poisonous and which are edible in your locality (NO, don't experiment by tasting them! ).

[linlithgowoil]

i dont think there is anything anyone can do. the average joe is totally and utterly powerless. even if you do somehow manage to get a big house with lots of land and become self sufficient, the government will simply come round and take all your stuff, if not thieves.

[NeoPeasant]

One obvious thing is to not fall into the trap of total automobile dependence starting on your 16th birthday. Get a bus pass and make an adventure out of getting intimately acquanted with the public transportation system. Find someone who has been using a bicycle as a real transportation vehicle rather than a weekend toy and get them to talk about how they do it. Pick some place at least a mile or two away where you go regularly and make a habit of walking there.

If you have any relatives in their 70's or 80's, ask them about how they lived during the depression and the war. Ask them about rationing and victory gardens.

[RonMN]

I agree...LEARN!!! just knowing how to filter water is a major step over most people...ask if you can plant a small garden but only get "heirloom" seeds, NOT HYBRID seeds (heirlooms you can save the seed & plant again next year, you can't with hybirds). Go for a walk & find the closest running stream & figure out the easiest way to haul water from it. If you friends & family wont listen then dont push them...some people's mental faculties just can't handle the possibility of a disaster. Just tell them you're enjoying gardening. Ya can learn about anything from Carla Emerys encyclopedia of country living (AKA: book of old fasioned recepis).

[Trab]

Agree with all the other posters. Keep yourself healthy, and take the opportunity to learn as much as you can about useful skills. Scouting can be a good option, depending on the abilities of the local leaders. Otherwise, keep in mind what's really important: health, food, shelter, clothing, and try to learn as much as you can about how to take care of yourself for all of these basic needs.

As you may be finding out, you may not have a whole lot of luck convincing others about PO, so don't worry if that's the case. They will figure it out one way or another soon enough. It's better to prepare yourself and be ready for what may come rather than trying to convert people.

One final thing, while you're learning, reading and growing your skills, don't forget to take some time to enjoy life. You're young, and have relatively few responsibilities. Enjoy that while you can, because whether PO comes next year or in the next 15 years, either way you'll be an adult soon enough, with all of the responsibilities that comes with it.

[Doly]

I don't agree with the idea that you shouldn't bother to convince your parents. It will be so much easier for all your family if you are prepared, and it will be terrible if you know that they are taking the wrong decisions and will suffer the consequences.

I think the best method is collect as much reliable information on the subject as possible. Get data from the experts. Then present it to your parents with this angle: what can you lose if you are prepared but peak oil doesn't happen? and what can you lose if you aren't prepared but peak oil happens?

Post here how it goes.

[CarlinsDarlin]

I don't think I can add any better advice than smallpoxgirl has given, so I won't try. Excellent advice given. I might add, though, before you try to braintan roadkill on your mother's dining room table, you might want to have her at least a little on board
Kathy

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('CarlinsDarlin', 'I') might add, though, before you try to braintan roadkill on your mother's dining room table, you might want to have her at least a little on board

[CarlinsDarlin]

I know.... I was hoping you'd catch the sarcasm (intended!:)) LOL. Rebel_Shuttle, make sure you read up on this one well before you try it.
Kathy