[Lokutus]

Does anyone have any good clear definitions? Bonus points for humor.

[turmoil]

Doom: an unpleasant or disastrous destiny; "everyone was aware of the approaching doom but was helpless to avoid it"; "that's unfortunate but it isn't the end of the world" (source: Google)

Cornucopia: also known in English as the Horn of Plenty, is a symbol of prosperity and affluence, dating back to the 5th century BC; a symbol of plentitude, strong harvests and abundance. (source: Google)


That said, the words 'Doomer' or 'Cornucopian' in the context of peakoil, can vary widely and it really depends on the perception of 'Person A' who would be listening to 'Person B' describe the effects of peakoil (or any other topic that could have global ramifications, like Global Warming). For an analogy, in the investing world the person having the relatively negative outlook is the 'Bear', versus the relatively positive outlook of the 'Bull' (see CNBC). So Bull is to Cornucopian as Bear is to Doomer.

Now for a specific definition of both in the context of peakoil.com, I, for example, would be considered a doomer and KingM, for example, would be a cornucopian.

But we all go through phases and that's why it's mostly about perception.

[Free]

If a doomer sees a glass that is half full - he smashes it on the floor, starts licking it up and proudly is threatening everybody who comes near him with the broken glass which he retrofitted into a sophisticated weapon.

If a cornucopian sees a glass that is half empty - he drinks it, starts talking to the empty glass and stuffs money into it.

Talk about useless humor! We really leave that better to the Brits...

[PrairieMule]

Same Glass of Water:

DOOMER-It makes no difference how much water is in the glass. The point no one understands is that it was once part of Ross Ice shelf in Antartica. Now thanks to man's slothful waste of our petro-resouces we will all roast to death in our Chevy Suburbans from global warming waiting in a gas line.

CORNUCOPIAN-Are you going to finish that glass of water? No? Can I have it? I'm starting a new ice shelf in my new deep freeze

[jupiter422]

I don't know how many stupid posts I have seen exactly like this. What the hell does it matter in the scheme of all things. I't s such a stupid thread . it has effected me enough to respond . this is stupid. Who gives a f--k!!!!!!!!!

[Andrew_S]

Half a glass:

Pessimist: half empty

Optimist: half full

Pragmatist: twice as big as necessary

[Omnitir]

Actually I think the definition is extremely important, because it helps determine how we act.

Peak oil Doomer: someone who thinks we are all screwed and hence there is no point in conserving.
Peak oil Cornucopian: someone who thinks we’ll be fine and hence there is no point in conserving.

The best place to be is somewhere in the middle: understanding the urgent need to conserve, but doing it for a better future. Doomers and Cornucopians – the two extremes – have a very dangerous affect on people. Just look at all the doomers on this site; most of them think the sky will fall and hence don’t give a crap about conservation. They are helping make the sky is falling scenario come true.

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Omnitir', 'J')ust look at all the doomers on this site; most of them think the sky will fall and hence don’t give a crap about conservation. They are helping make the sky is falling scenario come true.

[pedalling_faster]

the doomer sees a starving neighbor as a terrible tragedy.

the cornucopian sees a starving neighbor as a potential meal.

[Ludi]

Doomer - anyone you disagree with.

Cornucopian - anyone you disagree with.

[jupiter422]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Omnitir', 'A')ctually I think the definition is extremely important, because it helps determine how we act.

Peak oil Doomer: someone who thinks we are all screwed and hence there is no point in conserving.
Peak oil Cornucopian: someone who thinks we’ll be fine and hence there is no point in conserving.

The best place to be is somewhere in the middle: understanding the urgent need to conserve, but doing it for a better future. Doomers and Cornucopians – the two extremes – have a very dangerous affect on people. Just look at all the doomers on this site; most of them think the sky will fall and hence don’t give a crap about conservation. They are helping make the sky is falling scenario come true.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Omnitir', ' ')Just look at all the doomers on this site; most of them think the sky will fall and hence don’t give a crap about conservation. They are helping make the sky is falling scenario come true.

[oowolf]

Uberdoomer: A doomer who has accepted the fact that behavior has consequences and has done everything they can think of to change their life and preach environmental responsiblilty to anyone who will listen and still believes we're totally screwed.

"Only terror to the point of despair develops a person to their highest." Kierkegaard

[PenultimateManStanding]

Ubercornucopian: a person who believes tulips will bloom on Mars.

[Daryl]

Doomers are crazed loners with no career, children or financial security. They have stumbled on Peak Oil and are using it as a pretext to project their immature rebellious anti-authority complexes on oil consumers.

Cornucopeans are mature well adjusted productive members of society. They are personally attractive, well groomed sophisticates who toil away thanklessly for the good of all mankind.

I think that's a fair balanced assessment and would like to nominate it for post of the week.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Daryl', 'D')oomers are crazed loners with no career, children or financial security. They have stumbled on Peak Oil and are using it as a pretext to project their immature rebellious anti-authority complexes on oil consumers.

Cornucopeans are mature well adjusted productive members of society. They are personally attractive, well groomed sophisticates who toil away thanklessly for the good of all mankind.

I think that's a fair balanced assessment and would like to nominate it for post of the week.

[Jake_old]

Well groomed? good question indeed pms.

Cornucopians blame Doomers for what might lie ahead

Doomers blame Cornucopians

I agree with whoever said this was pointless.

I have had a weeks break from PO.com to prove I am not addicted to this place(to myself as well as my wife) and I tell you what.....we are so divided on insignificant details. The transition is surely not going to be a pony ride, whatever you believe.

[PenultimateManStanding]

We know, of course, that daryl wears immaculate clothing and has a high-paying job and that therefor there won't be any shortages of fuel. How could there be any disruptions of a society so well ordered? Anyone who tries to examine the situation objectively is 'immature'.

[Daryl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'W')e know, of course, that daryl wears immaculate clothing and has a high-paying job and that therefor there won't be any shortages of fuel. How could there be any disruptions of a society so well ordered? Anyone who tries to examine the situation objectively is 'immature'.

[PenultimateManStanding]

Nobody has a corner on the humor market, daryl. Though I will concede, that it is probably easier to joke around if you are a cornucopian. I sure would like to have a crystal ball and know how this is going to play out.