[roccman]

Counter Currents


$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')o prevent a truly enormous problem of oil depletion, it would first be necessary for a large percentage of the human race to become literate, to read books, and to understand difficult scientific abstractions, scholarly entanglements which are neither comic nor tragic but simply unpropitious. Yet that is precisely the opposite of how most people behave.

Secondly, the entire political structure of every country would have to be changed almost instantly. The American political system, for example, would have to be utterly transformed so that political representatives were chosen, not from among those who have learned the art of buying votes, but from a group of philosopher-kings like those of Plato’s Republic — although perhaps one should not trust kings of any sort.

Thirdly, the President of the United States would have to go on television, disrupt the leading prime-time program, and announce that unlimited driving of automobiles was no longer possible in the United States and its territories. He would also have to explain that tax incentives would be provided to people who have few or no children. All of that from a country that is one of the worst at devouring resources, and that consistently boycotts all serious international efforts at solving global problems.

Since all of that is highly improbable, it might make more sense to say, "A catastrophe is inevitable. What do we do next?"

[Tanada]

While I find Dunbar's Number interesting I believe an extreme over emphasis with any number gets you in trouble. For example, in large cities you still follow Dunbar's Number, you may have a great many acquaintances but you 'know' about 150 to 200 people because that is just how the human brain is wired. What makes it possible for larger groups to function is that groups overlap. You 'know' 150 people and your neighbor 'knows' 150 people very well, but they are not the same 150. You both 'know' each other and possibly your fellow near residents but you have independent work communities, religious communities, service communities (your doctor, lawyer, wait staff at your favorite restaurant). If this were not so the conflict within cities would prevent them from functioning effectively.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', '[')url=http://www.countercurrents.org/goodchild291207.htm]Counter Currents[/url]

To prevent a truly enormous problem of oil depletion, it would first be necessary for a large percentage of the human race to become literate, to read books, and to understand difficult scientific abstractions, scholarly entanglements which are neither comic nor tragic but simply unpropitious. Yet that is precisely the opposite of how most people behave.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '
')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')ithin modern capitalism there is no solution to the problem of oil depletion. Oil energy cannot be replaced with the equivalent amount of "alternative" energy in the required time, so the consequences of oil depletion will be disastrous.