[TITAN]

Ok, so here's the list of most things currently threatening modern civilization:

1. Global economic collapse
2. Resource depletion/Peak oil
3. Major climate disruption
4. Nuclear war
5. Hyper corruption of most world leaders
6. Environmental destruction
7. Social demoralization
8. Religious fanaticism (ALL MAJOR RELIGIONS)
9. Lack of direction (nothing WORTHWHILE to do or accomplish) i.e. land on moon
10. Terminator crops


Every day people post on here complaining about this or that. I think it's about time to "either piss or get off the pot"...

[coyote]

You missed an option. Some of us are taking action. Probably not as much as we could, and your point is taken -- but the word 'Apathy' does not accurately describe many of the people on these boards.

Having said that, the reason I personally haven't acted as much as I probably could have would probably be option #3. The worldview inertia of our society is one monster-sized brick wall, and it hurts to bang your head against it all the time. But I'll be doing what I can, in my own way, to try to help get us to the ecological paradigm shift.

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')hat is the source of YOUR apathy?

[kevincarter]

What do you mean by ACT? Act in favor of what?

[Doly]

I am another one that is doing some stuff out there. Then, not as much as I conceivably could, but the main reason for that isn't even in your list: I don't have much time. I believe that is the main reason for a lot of people not to do much: they are too busy running to stay where they are, like the Red Queen.

[Ludi]

"None of the above"

I'm not apathetic, I'm just exhausted from doing stuff all day.

[Leanan]

What exactly are we supposed to be doing? People don't know the answer to that question. If they did, they would do something.

[o2ny]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TITAN', 'O')k, so here's the list of most things currently threatening modern civilization:

1. Global economic collapse
2. Resource depletion/Peak oil
3. Major climate disruption
4. Nuclear war
5. Hyper corruption of most world leaders
6. Environmental destruction
7. Social demoralization
8. Religious fanaticism (ALL MAJOR RELIGIONS)
9. Lack of direction (nothing WORTHWHILE to do or accomplish) i.e. land on moon
10. Terminator crops


Every day people post on here complaining about this or that. I think it's about time to "either piss or get off the pot"...

[Eli]

Well as I have gotten into to the PO problem and the resulting economic problems that we currently have, I have come to see Po for what it is, a force of nature.

It is like a huge tidal wave that is cresting and rising above our heads when it crashes on us there is little to do but hope for the best.

[NeoPeasant]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Eli', 'I')t is like a huge tidal wave that is cresting and rising above our heads when it crashes on us there is little to do but hope for the best.

[Madpaddy]

The source of my apath............................

[alecifel]

What do you propose to "do", Titan?

You have listed a number of significant problems, none of which have solutions that lie in the hands of the everyday citizen. It sounds to me like you are concerned, as many people are, and perhaps the concept of energy descent is new to you. I have met so many people in my 14 years of peak oil/deteriorating international affairs/etc. etc. who have asked that same question: "why doesn't somebody DO something?"

Which translates to: "I have no idea what to do, and I am frustrated that the knight in shining armour hasn't ridden in to rescue me."

Heads up: There is NO knight in shining armour. There is no silver bullet for any of these problems. You can put your faith in a particular politician, or a particular re-appearing or materialising religious figure, or cold fusion -- but, the actions required to solve these problems are small and must be repeated many times, by many people.

I'll briefly touch each one.

1. Global Economic Collapse: Take my advice: read some in-depth books on economics, written by people with initials after their name. Economies don't "collapse", they "contract". The greatest depression the world has ever seen, that of 1929-1936, was a 25% economic contraction. The current crisis looks like a slow shrink rather than a bursting bubble, and the resulting contraction will be far, far less than 25%. Today's economy is diversified and complex, which makes it far less vulnerable to sudden fits and starts. What to do? Relax. PUT MONEY IN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT. The fact that Americans have swapped savings for credit accounts is the leading reason why our economy is in danger. There are 3 S's in money: Spend Some, Save Some, and Share Some. Borrow begins with a "B" and doesn't belong there.

2. Resource Depletion/Peak Oil: Peak oil is coming, and may have already arrived. There may be some looters here and there and crime will go up a bit, but we're looking at a slow and smooth glide back down the way we came up. What to do? Relax. USE LESS ENERGY. BUY PRODUCTS LOCALLY INSTEAD OF GOING TO WAL-MART.

3. Major climate disruption: See above. Using energy creates pollution. To help scrub the atmosphere of CO2 and other toxins, plant a tree.

4. Hyper Corruption of most world leaders: This has been a constant since the first hairless ape decided he was fit to "rule" the other hairless apes. Turn your back on these self-proclaimed kings. You don't need them.

5. Environmental destruction: See #3.

6. Social Demoralization: Help somebody get along in life. After you plant your tree, help your neighbor plant one. This is how society REmoralizes.

7. Religious Fanaticism: Once again, this has been a constant since the second hairless ape, irritated that the first one beat him to the throne, proclaimed himself higher than the king because his knowledge came from a "divine source". Religion is a tool used to usurp the thrones of Men. It's an alternative power structure. Turn your back on it, you don't need it. Read a bible and pray. Forget the "preacher".

8. Lack of Direction: This one is easy. CHOOSE A DIRECTION.

10. Terminator Crops: Contact seed saver's exchange. Don't buy seeds manufactured with Terminator technology.

Hope this helps.

[Leanan]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')Economies don't "collapse", they "contract".

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Leanan', 'W')hat exactly are we supposed to be doing? People don't know the answer to that question. If they did, they would do something.

[Leanan]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'D')o you really want to know? Who will tell you? Who will you listen to?

[strider3700]

Wow, I've always been doomerish but this board has made me more so. That was fine because I believed I was just being exposed to more ideas, however 42% want to see things come to an end according to the poll.

Now I'm not saying thats wrong because I'm one of those people but perhaps it's time for me to turn down the doomer meter and take a serious independant look into the state of things. Things here may be quite biased.

[Kickinthegob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('strider3700', 'N')ow I'm not saying thats wrong because I'm one of those people but perhaps it's time for me to turn down the doomer meter and take a serious independant look into the state of things. Things here may be quite biased.

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kickinthegob', 'I') have been working out, eating insects and road kills, sharpening my knives, getting scary tatoos on my forehead, all the usual stuff to prepare for the coming rapture!
Just kidding, everything is gonna be just fine
Hmmm, I think I am going schizoid
Maybe I will hang in the psychology forum for awhile

[coyote]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kickinthegob', 'I') have been working out, eating insects and road kills, sharpening my knives, getting scary tatoos on my forehead, all the usual stuff to prepare for the coming rapture!

[oilfreeandhappy]

I don't believe myself to be apathetic. As others have said, many are doing what they can. I have stopped relying on Politicians to take care of problems. The best way to resolve a big problem is to hit 'em in the pocketbooks.

A case in point is what PETA and a lot of hard working activists did to the fur industry. I am not a strong PETA supporter, but we must admit that their actions were effective. How many of us are still buying fur?

Similar rallies need to occur to get the public to think about oil, and seek out and demand alternatives. I commute everywhere I can by bicycle, and I encourage others to do the same, through advocacy. I am currently looking into a PV roof. It will probably be a losing proposition financially, but it "Makes a Statement" to others, and that's what I'm about.
Jim
http://home.comcast.net/~oil_free_and_happy/