[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', '
')I can't wait to see the looks on doomers faces when absolutely nothing happens.

[dhfenton]

Actually, I feel frustrated every time I read a new article, and see another piece of the puzzle drop into place. The forums usually rehash news, and help because at least someone is paying attention; but then I go out and watch the behavior of the sheeple, and I marvel that we can have a population of people so disconnected from reality. I ride a bicycle 7 miles to work, and the sheeple look at me like I'm crazy. It is hard living in a society of fat, lazy, stupid people when an economic perfect storm is forming on the horizon. It troubles me that I believe I see Bush-Rove moving the country toward a fascist-theocracy hybrid and P.O. is going to be their tool to finish the job. Bush is an absolute sociopath, and not the type of person who can lead this country through a crisis like P.O. And that's why I like the forums; because I can vent my frustration here. It works.

[CarlinsDarlin]

When I first started reading and posting on these forums, the input from other posters did help me to feel like I wasn't so crazy . At that point, more than a year ago, the only place you ever heard the term "peak oil" was on sites like this. It was never in the MSM, and oil prices were comparatively low. Visiting the forums helped me feel less alone, and the insightful analyses and articles gave me "ammunition" to use in spreading the word, so to speak.

I don't need any more evidence these days. What used to be a "fringe topic" is now becoming mainstream. That, if anything, has added to my anxiety. Once the general public becomes aware is when the real troubles start. The general public, who by and large, have neither the preparations nor the skills necessary to deal with what is coming.

I have been learning and trying to live a more self-reliant life off and on for more than 15 years - specifically & earnestly working toward it for the last 5. The process is slow because the learning curve is steep, and money is always short. I'm no where near ready for what I fear may be coming down the pike. I don't fear the events, though, as much as I do people's reactions to those events.

Today, the forums give me a play-by-play of things coming, and a bit of inspiration when I read what others are doing to prepare. Rather than gathering ammunition for "spreading the word," I'm gathering more information for making the transition - hopefully - easier for me and mine.

I learn something new everyday in the Planning forum. I may not be able to put into place all the things I would like, but the knowledge is there and someday hopefully I'll be able to implement more of what I have learned. Stuff can be taken. Knowledge cannot.

It's like watching a nearby car crash in slow motion. You don't want to see what's coming, but you're afraid to look away, thinking that the crash might invade your space and take you with it.

When we have severe weather warnings here at night, Carlin can sleep like a baby. He loves sleeping in rain and storms. Me, I'm a wreck. I watch the television to keep up with watches and warnings, and check the radar to see where the worst of the storms are, and how fast they'll get to us. He always asks me why. I tell him if I'm going to be taken out by a tornado, I want to see it coming.

The coming difficulties are the same for me. I come here to keep up - because I want to see it coming, and not be blindsided. If nothing else, I'll be better mentally prepared. And hopefully, more generally prepared.
Kathy

[SinisterBlueCat]

I am curious. If everything that the doomers say is going to happen, does indeed come to pass... die-off, famine, pestilence and everything else...then were the "sheeple" not indeed better off?

I mean, if 85 to 90% of the world's human inhabitants are doomed to die, (six enter, one leaves) what are the chances of most people anyway? What is the point of having a farm and food stocks...most would not be able to hold on to them....you wake up one morning and your lovely garden is stripped bare.

So, if the doomers are right, then I say the "sheeple" are the lucky ones. If the end is nigh, then the only thing you can do by worrying about tomorrow is ruin today, right? So, by calling them "sheeple" are you making fun of them because you think they are stupid? or because you envy their freedom in not knowing?

I like to come to this board, but it is like drinking too much wine. A little is good, it makes you feel calm and nice...but beware of too much, it can make you sick.

[evilmonkeyspanker]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SinisterBlueCat', 'I') am curious. If everything that the doomers say is going to happen, does indeed come to pass... die-off, famine, pestilence and everything else...then were the "sheeple" not indeed better off?

I mean, if 85 to 90% of the world's human inhabitants are doomed to die, (six enter, one leaves) what are the chances of most people anyway? What is the point of having a farm and food stocks...most would not be able to hold on to them....you wake up one morning and your lovely garden is stripped bare.

So, if the doomers are right, then I say the "sheeple" are the lucky ones. If the end is nigh, then the only thing you can do by worrying about tomorrow is ruin today, right? So, by calling them "sheeple" are you making fun of them because you think they are stupid? or because you envy their freedom in not knowing?

I like to come to this board, but it is like drinking too much wine. A little is good, it makes you feel calm and nice...but beware of too much, it can make you sick.

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')e have 6.5 billion passengers. We have, at most, lifeboat capacity for 1 billion of them.

[SeasonOfPain]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SinisterBlueCat', 'S')o, if the doomers are right, then I say the "sheeple" are the lucky ones. If the end is nigh, then the only thing you can do by worrying about tomorrow is ruin today, right? So, by calling them "sheeple" are you making fun of them because you think they are stupid? or because you envy their freedom in not knowing?

[mgibbons19]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jato', '
')There are too many sheeple (soft landers) here on this site for me. I wish we could have a "doomer" section to talk about the darker side of things to come. Every time a doomer thread starts, it is made fun of by our resident sheeple. They are all distractions, just like Specops' threads (most of them). Very few members are willing to discuss how horrible life is about to become (horrible= dieoffs, lower standard of living, death, wars, disease, etc.) I for one have been laying low on this forum & (more) quietly making preparations.

[/rant]

[LadyRuby]

My current mental state? Confused. On this board I feel like I'm a bit of an optimist, unaccepting of the extreme doomer outlook. When I talk about the peak oil problem with people "on the outside" I feel like an extreme pessimist. I guess I don't belong anywhere at the moment.

[backstop]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('LadyRuby', '
')
I guess I don't belong anywhere at the moment.

[VinceG]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SinisterBlueCat', 'I') mean, if 85 to 90% of the world's human inhabitants are doomed to die

[seldom_seen]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('VinceG', 'B')ut for the more optimistical part: in the history of mankind, not one single human inhabitant has died of a concept known as Peakoil

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('VinceG', '
')But for the more optimistical part: in the history of mankind, not one single human inhabitant has died of a concept known as Peakoil

Most of the people on this forum will probably die of heart diseases, cancer, strokes, chronic lower respitory diseases, diabetes, alzheimers disease or accidents.

[Macsporan]

I enjoy listening to doomers screaming with fear and enjoy hearing about their futile preparations to save their precious skins.

I enjoy the ranting of fascists and wonder what sort of concentration camp guards they're all going to make one day.

I appreciate the wild-eyed millenarians babbling "I've seen a sign from the Lord! It'll be happening any day! Any day now I tell you!"

I get off on the dour eco-economists who can prove with graphs, slide-rules, spreadsheets and crystal balls beyond the slightest shadow of a doubt that there's no hope for anyone ever and we might as well just blow our brains out.

But most of all I enjoy hearing from people who have positive ideas and plans as to how we're all going to get out of this mess together.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', '
')Where are your figures that back this statement up? No one knows how many people the earth can support, and i totally refute the idea that after peak oil we'll eseentially have the resources equivalent to the year 1700.

[JustinFrankl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('VinceG', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SinisterBlueCat', 'I') mean, if 85 to 90% of the world's human inhabitants are doomed to die

[JustinFrankl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', 'W')here are your figures that back this statement up? No one knows how many people the earth can support

[threadbear]

[quote="Phebagirl" They are reality tv watching, cell phone yacking, totally clueless, lets go shopping, economists say everything will be fine, sheeple.
They are McMansions buying, SUV driving, debt ridden, clueless idiots.
They are wasteful, shamefully wasteful, Swiffer wet mop wasteful scum. They mock our only sensible president as the "cardigan doctrine" president.
They are cynical, smart ass sarcastic morons., and I wash my hands of them.
M[/quote]

Great post, Pheba, beautifully written.

[LadyRuby]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('backstop', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('LadyRuby', '
')
I guess I don't belong anywhere at the moment.

[savethehumans]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'M')y mental state is grim, with a chance of sporadic optimism.