[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ElijahJones', '
')
What I am starting to see though is the distinct possibility that the elite have been preparing for this for quite some time and that once the case is made to the worlds power groups by whoever may ultimately have influence in those circles we are looking at a world oligarchy at least, possibly a dictatorship. This is the reality that lies underneath peak oil.

I do not feel that an armed revolution is the way to solve this issue.

[SinisterBlueCat]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', 'S')inisterBlueCat, so why not join the revolution, then?

[SinisterBlueCat]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ardalla', '
')
Just as an example, there is a guy I work with who is upset about high gas prices. He says we should demand that the Saudis lower the price of crude. If they don't co-operate, he says just take the oil. He supports Donald Trump for president. He is a factory worker in a union plant who one would expect to be Democratic. He is not atypical.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SinisterBlueCat', '
')I will when it comes. What choice will I have? But I already live in a way that will make being a part of this easier.

[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ardalla', 'M')y compliments on a well written essay. The old me of 20 years ago would have agreed with you 100%.

These people are now living in $200,000 - $400,000 homes and driving SUVs.

[SinisterBlueCat]

well, I guess I think we are really pre-revolution

I have shed almost all of the meaningless consumerism ways I used have, I have moved to the part of the country where I feel I will have the best chance for survival, I have a network of other local people, most of who have similiar simple lives that are already sustainable.

But have I dropped out of society? no.

I think, revolutions build, like a wave, but when it hits, it crashes hard and fast against the surf.

Mostly, I am preparing, both physically, and mentally for what I think (hope?) may be coming. To me, the most important thing is to remain aware and be flexible. But, I do not know how things will shake down, and one can only play the cards you are dealt.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ElijahJones', ' ')But I do not see where the support network for serious advocates of social change exists, where do I plug in to the real humanity that is working to make things right?

[SinisterBlueCat]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ElijahJones', ' ')But I do not see where the support network for serious advocates of social change exists, where do I plug in to the real humanity that is working to make things right?

[Wallygator]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ElijahJones', 'O')ur country is a blinding paradox of the rich and the poor, the powerful and the cogs that must keep showing up for work everyday so filet mignon can be served in the most exclusive restaurants.

[Ludi]

Elijah, I'm a big believer in incrementalism, taking small steps in the direction we want to go. I don't think we need to evolve to the next plane or anything like that before we can pursue a more sustainable way of life. Even tiny steps are better than none.

[Ludi]

Elijah, cost depends on the community. Some are quite expensive. One of the best known, Earthaven in North Carolina, is very expensive, in my opinion. The not quite so well-known Dancing Rabbit in Missouri is less expensive. So you have to do your research. You'll also need to visit the community, probably more than once, to determine if their culture is what you're looking for. They're all different. Some are rather "pagan," others are Christian, some non-religious, etc.

[medicvet]

Okay, now this fascinating discussion has touched upon some pretty darned core issues with me. Yes, there will be a revolution, and yes, we are feeling the 'pre-shocks' of that big cultural earthquake right now. But whether it will be a step forward or back in our level of humanity, or even holds a chance of spelling our extinction, remains to be seen. We are reaching a nexus, where we have a choice of going forwards or backwards along our evolutionary development, but cannot any longer remain where we are; it is a simple impossibility. I reiterate: I am not talking about our evolutionary technology, but rather our evolutionary humanity.

Some people think that there must be some conspiracy, either vast or small, of whatever makeup, to create our circumstances. I wish it were so, but that is not my belief at all. I think that this is just 'where we are' so to speak, where we have placed ourselves because of our (speaking as a species) hubris. A poster, on this site I am fairly certain, mentioned that he called us the 'titanic era'. I find that apt.

There are no 'secrets', about PO; good lord, we are on a site about it! The information is freely available, but the only problem is we have to drop the scales from our own eyes, and that is the most difficult of all to do sometimes. When someone else puts the blindfold on us, we will fight stronger against it, than if we willingly leave the blinders on. That is a simple fact.

And a LOT of people are NOT lemmings! Some may not be knowledgable about PO, but they sense that all is not right with the world. There are a LOT of people who 'PREP'. Just doing some 'netsurfing' and going to different sites has shown me that. My main concern is the makeup of the people who are 'prepping' as a whole. I would be very fearful if I thought that MOST of the people prepping were either highly religious to the point of swallowing any pablum fed to them whole, even if it meant what they might originally view as a moral crisis could be overcome by those higher ups convincin them that an a reprehensible act would be 'for the greater good'. I would also be very fearful if I believed that MOST people prepping were of a makeup that was not dreading violent and drastic change, but looking forward to it, to the point that they were egging it on, for the sake of 'racial purity'. (speaking specifically of some really scary skinhead survivalist compounds, a lot of which are located in Idaho right now.)

Well, I am very scared, actually, but not because I think that MOST people 'prepping' fit into either category, but rather because I think that there is more than a possibility that the most reasonable and rational of these 'post peak' community ideas, ones not grounded either in religious fundamentalism that veers off into the territory belonging to cults, or grounded in bigotry and prejudice, are quite possibly not as ARMED as either of the previous I just mentioned.

Might doesn't make right, of course, but it will make what HAPPENS, you know? What I am concerned about is that some seriously misguided groups, two of which I just mentioned, could end up having more COHESIVENESS and therefore more INFLUENCE on how things will end up being for all of us in the 'postworld'. I won't say 'postpeak', because at this point in time, while PO will happen it is not totally certain that it will be the event that happens FIRST to cause a major paradigm shift in the way people live their lives (or if they even stay alive), so for me, anyway, 'postworld' fits as good as any other name.

I think that reasonable and rational people need to not just be prepared, but be ARMED, and ready to defend their right to live their lives as they see fit. The best way to do that is not just through forming 'communities', but by having at least the bare basics of an idea that these like minded communities are going to more than likely need to 'band together' and 'help each other out' from time to time.

The part that I am most concerned about with all of this is that while I see a lot of consensus and organization among and within groups, that, because of their particular ideologies, will automatically band together, I don't see the same happening, or even acknowledging that it needs to be happening, among the most so called 'civilized' of us, for want of a better term. That since they are composed of some intelligent, creative, and independant and original thinkers who can have their own beliefs and yet respect another's, this will be the same thing that could prove fatal for the overall survival of such people, or at the very least, their continued freedom to live their lives as they see fit with the least interference. And I don't see anything at all right now..any comments from anyone..to reassure me that this is not the case.

I hope I haven't segued too far off the topic, but this particular thread has brought all this to the forefront with me, and I really just had to get off my chest what has been bothering me for a little while now.

[mgibbons19]

Good stuff everybody. Just a couple points to add:

1) Go out to the local Barnes and Capitalist today and buy The Fourth Turning from Strauss and Howe. The season is changing. Seems to me like it's very late autumn. Weather's cold and the frosts are regular. We still have a ways to go to the solstice though.

2) Frustration with the current system is understood. But beware of revolutions. How many times has it just allowed a different set of thugs to run things?

3) We won't help ourselves or each other if we let our thinking and discussion devolve into a pissing match of 'who's more unplugged'.

I can't say I know what the future will bring. I can't say I know how to prepare for it. My own 'meteorology' might be way off as a matter of fact. But it sure feels like winter is coming.

[SinisterBlueCat]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ElijahJones', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SinisterBlueCat', ' ') Make sure you are that real humanity before you try to plug in.

[engulfthemanatee]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mgibbons19', 'G')ood stuff everybody. Just a couple points to add:

1) Go out to the local Barnes and Capitalist today and buy The Fourth Turning from Strauss and Howe. The season is changing. Seems to me like it's very late autumn. Weather's cold and the frosts are regular. We still have a ways to go to the solstice though.

I can't say I know what the future will bring. I can't say I know how to prepare for it. My own 'meteorology' might be way off as a matter of fact. But it sure feels like winter is coming.