I can find endless amounts of information on Peak Oil but I don't know of a single person outside of my immediate family that is aware of this subjet. Is this just where I live or is this normal? Those who I have tried to talk to about it are reluctant to even listen. However I can't blame them it is a scary subject. I remain opptimistic though, I see the subject quickly gaining traction in the media especialy with many new books on the subjet out now. Maybe a early effect like airline closures or raise's in ferry ticket prices will bring new light to the subject.
Whats the awareness like other places in the world? When do you think this will hit the general population? I only hope it isn't too late already.
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How many people know about Peak Oil?
How many people know about Peak Oil?
by alex22 » Sat 23 Dec 2006, 17:34:47
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Re: How many people know?
by cavemandoom » Sat 23 Dec 2006, 18:29:56
I would guess that perhaps 5%, maybe 10% of the population of the USA has even heard of Peak Oil, and I would guess maybe 1-3% actually know significant information regarding peak oil.
I found out about it myself this spring, and I have been studying it seriously since then. I'm afraid the problem is not one of lack of information being out there about this topic, it's that people just WILL NOT accept the peak oil associated problems , there is just a collective modern mindset, that progress goes ever onward and upward, that the future will be like today, only better, and , "They"-scientists, goverment?-will figure out a neat technological solution to all our problems. I have tried very hard to inform my friends and family, but, 9 of 10 will not listen, it's either unimaginable to them, or too depressing, and they just shut you out. It takes a very courageous person to accept awful realities, and, our society breeds hopeless, weak, scared people. Most people are too stuck on the fictional delusions of American greatness to ever think that this empire will ever collapse, like all the others before it. I am concerned myself about some of my family and friends, but, trust me, you can't talk them into accepting peak oil. The best thing to do, is carefully, gently point out certain obvious things as they appear in the media, and slowly work people into it, test the water, before you sock them with all the depressing "end of civilization" stuff. Make your own post peak plans, and hope , pray if you believe in God, that your loved ones will see the light so to speak, before it's too late. I love my Mom for example, but, if we have a hard crash, she's toast, she is on multiple prescription drugs, without which, she will likely die..do you think she wants to hear about peak oil..? Hell No!! It's sad, but she won't make it..and there are a lot like her. I have a lot of other friends, so stuck in the party life, that can scarcely make a PB&J sandwhich, or hang a picture.. What will they do when the Taco Bell's and Starbuck's close? They will die, my friend. Figure out who you can inform (save), how to save yourself, and get on that, ASAP!! Then, have fun with the rest of your people while it lasts, but be prepared to follow your own plans WTSHTF. Some people will realize you saw it coming, and will follow your lead, but, most will not, they will commit suicide, die from lack of drugs, lack of water, lack of food, any of the above. While the human species is super adaptable, humans individually, or larger cultures, don't adapt all that well to sudden catastrophic changes. Look into the Greenland Vikings..they starved surrounded by food, just food that they culturally refused to eat.. Most soft suburban Americans will starve before they eat an opossum, or acorns. Sorry this is so long, or depressing, but, I used to be where you were...Don't get down there is always hope, but not for every person to survive...Make your plans now, ans survive and prosper !!!
I found out about it myself this spring, and I have been studying it seriously since then. I'm afraid the problem is not one of lack of information being out there about this topic, it's that people just WILL NOT accept the peak oil associated problems , there is just a collective modern mindset, that progress goes ever onward and upward, that the future will be like today, only better, and , "They"-scientists, goverment?-will figure out a neat technological solution to all our problems. I have tried very hard to inform my friends and family, but, 9 of 10 will not listen, it's either unimaginable to them, or too depressing, and they just shut you out. It takes a very courageous person to accept awful realities, and, our society breeds hopeless, weak, scared people. Most people are too stuck on the fictional delusions of American greatness to ever think that this empire will ever collapse, like all the others before it. I am concerned myself about some of my family and friends, but, trust me, you can't talk them into accepting peak oil. The best thing to do, is carefully, gently point out certain obvious things as they appear in the media, and slowly work people into it, test the water, before you sock them with all the depressing "end of civilization" stuff. Make your own post peak plans, and hope , pray if you believe in God, that your loved ones will see the light so to speak, before it's too late. I love my Mom for example, but, if we have a hard crash, she's toast, she is on multiple prescription drugs, without which, she will likely die..do you think she wants to hear about peak oil..? Hell No!! It's sad, but she won't make it..and there are a lot like her. I have a lot of other friends, so stuck in the party life, that can scarcely make a PB&J sandwhich, or hang a picture.. What will they do when the Taco Bell's and Starbuck's close? They will die, my friend. Figure out who you can inform (save), how to save yourself, and get on that, ASAP!! Then, have fun with the rest of your people while it lasts, but be prepared to follow your own plans WTSHTF. Some people will realize you saw it coming, and will follow your lead, but, most will not, they will commit suicide, die from lack of drugs, lack of water, lack of food, any of the above. While the human species is super adaptable, humans individually, or larger cultures, don't adapt all that well to sudden catastrophic changes. Look into the Greenland Vikings..they starved surrounded by food, just food that they culturally refused to eat.. Most soft suburban Americans will starve before they eat an opossum, or acorns. Sorry this is so long, or depressing, but, I used to be where you were...Don't get down there is always hope, but not for every person to survive...Make your plans now, ans survive and prosper !!!
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Re: How many people know?
by morph » Sat 23 Dec 2006, 18:51:44
no one that i know of knew about peak oil before i told them, did a quick few slides on it as part of a presentation a few weeks ago and no one i did the presentation to had heard of it. And they only understand now that oil production will peak soon but they don't kow the consequences. I have only divulged the consequences to literally 2 close friends as i see others just mocking me.
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Re: How many people know?
by NEOPO » Sat 23 Dec 2006, 19:22:27
I think 1% is a very high estimate for how I would define "getting peak oil".
I know people who KNOW and they still cannot begin to do anything about it.
They try to describe to me how their brains function in that state and I really cannot relate unless I am allowed to steer the conversation toward depression and yes then I can understand.......
Fear, denial or perhaps we need a new word for what I will call ignorant awareness......
Thus I say .0025% are doing something about it which = getting it = knowing = awareness.
There are people here that know full well about peak oil and the most they have done to date is buy some oil/energy stocks
I know people who KNOW and they still cannot begin to do anything about it.
They try to describe to me how their brains function in that state and I really cannot relate unless I am allowed to steer the conversation toward depression and yes then I can understand.......
Fear, denial or perhaps we need a new word for what I will call ignorant awareness......
Thus I say .0025% are doing something about it which = getting it = knowing = awareness.
There are people here that know full well about peak oil and the most they have done to date is buy some oil/energy stocks
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Re: How many people know?
by rogerhb » Sat 23 Dec 2006, 20:15:02
You have to be prepared to think for yourself and most people avoid this like the plague. They have also been conditioned to think that the only thing in life is keeping up with the Joneses. Once they have followed the Joneses into bankruptcy they may start thinking.
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Re: How many people know?
by cynthia » Sat 23 Dec 2006, 21:59:23
alex22:
Hiya. One thing I learned is not to use holiday gatherings to discuss Peak Oil and its ramifications.
My theme for our annual New Year's eve party last year was "Only bring food produced within a 100 mile radius of your home." I took a lot of shit for that. Most friends tried but some ignored it. One longtime friend said to me, "you're not going to talk about THAT(meaning peak oil) all weekend are you?" And these friends are not mainstream by any means.
It's not like I am talking about Peak Oil that much. I talk about the loss of cheap energy(it's easier for people to take in).
Until people are truly bitten in the financial butt for transportation and heating and food, which is happening incrementally you are best to find a friend or two to talk about it and move forward knowing you have a heads up about your future.
As to how many people know? I think Neopo is closer to the estimate but still I sit with an optimistic view of a big adventure in spite of the chaos and yes ultimate devastation.
And now I shall go make dinner because I can,
cynthia
Hiya. One thing I learned is not to use holiday gatherings to discuss Peak Oil and its ramifications.
My theme for our annual New Year's eve party last year was "Only bring food produced within a 100 mile radius of your home." I took a lot of shit for that. Most friends tried but some ignored it. One longtime friend said to me, "you're not going to talk about THAT(meaning peak oil) all weekend are you?" And these friends are not mainstream by any means.
It's not like I am talking about Peak Oil that much. I talk about the loss of cheap energy(it's easier for people to take in).
Until people are truly bitten in the financial butt for transportation and heating and food, which is happening incrementally you are best to find a friend or two to talk about it and move forward knowing you have a heads up about your future.
As to how many people know? I think Neopo is closer to the estimate but still I sit with an optimistic view of a big adventure in spite of the chaos and yes ultimate devastation.
And now I shall go make dinner because I can,
cynthia
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Re: How many people know?
by mmasters » Sat 23 Dec 2006, 23:10:28
1% is way too high.
I would say it's probably more like 1 out of 10,000 that's truly aware.
I would say it's probably more like 1 out of 10,000 that's truly aware.
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Re: How many people know?
by nero » Sun 24 Dec 2006, 02:13:39
I think a large number of people have heard the term "peak oil" and know in general terms what it means. I base this belief on the observation that Peak Oil is now often mentioned without explining what the term means. For example in a recent television program about possible future doomsday scenarios, peak oil was listed along with global warming and the rapture as just another doomsday scenario. No explanation of what it was was felt necessary.
In the past three years I have gone from assuming almost noone has heard of it to assuming most people who might be interested enough in world affairs to regularly read the newspaper are at least familiar with the term.
In the past three years I have gone from assuming almost noone has heard of it to assuming most people who might be interested enough in world affairs to regularly read the newspaper are at least familiar with the term.
Biofuels: The "What else we got to burn?" answer to peak oil.
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Re: How many people know?
by joewp » Sun 24 Dec 2006, 02:45:06
The phenomenon I've run into is people don't want to know. They want to think this easy, cheap energy lifestyle (the American way of life) is going to continue for as long as they are alive. They don't want to know the 1970s are coming back, times 10.
Cheap energy addiction for real...
Cheap energy addiction for real...
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"Only when the last tree is cut; only when the last river is polluted; only when the last fish is caught; only then will they realize that you cannot eat money." - Cree Indian Proverb
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Re: How many people know?
by jupiters_release » Sun 24 Dec 2006, 03:33:41
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mmasters', '1')% is way too high.
I would say it's probably more like 1 out of 10,000 that's truly aware.
I would say it's probably more like 1 out of 10,000 that's truly aware.
For the states thats a very good estimate. This site has 15,000 members and lets just randomly say another 15,000 lurkers and/or industry insiders. (Perhaps an admin can find out how many unique users come here every day?) Very few other places on the internet and virtually nothing in the real world offer the opportunity to learn the immediacy of peak oil that I'm aware of. So 30,000 out of 300,000,000 is 0.01% - and then you have to factor out how many of those are deluded cornucopians. I have good friends who can talk 9/11 all day and know the government did it but if I mention the consequences of depleting fossil fuels, they think I'm nuts, especially when I get into die-off.
People are biologically biased against peak oil because it results in terminating our lives and our civilization. Death isn't a problem for me, but how we all get there is an ugly thought, a psychological test that can really fuck with you especially when no one in your life can relate. Surreal that I'd still be completely ignorant of peak oil without finding this site, and now I have to come back every day if not to maintain my own sanity, then to get first word of systemic failures.
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Re: How many people know?
by Quicksilver » Sun 24 Dec 2006, 06:09:32
This year in Australia we had peak oil segments on the two most popular current affairs shows (60 minutes and Four Corners) Both have audiences of between 1-2 million. So probably 10-15% of the population would now be peak oil aware. How many truly understand the ramifications of peak oil? Probably 1% of the 2 million 
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"Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist" – Kenneth Boulding
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Re: How many people know?
by rabbit_hop » Sun 24 Dec 2006, 08:18:16
In my experience, very few people know about, or have even heard of PO. I have mentioned it to close friends, who are the least likely to tell me where to get off. My tactic last night in the pub was to mention casually that at last we have a sort of a winter in Scotland, and isn't it cold now, and my gas bills have more than doubled in the last three years in spite of using less gas; and then start playing the "end of cheap energy" record, dropping PO into the conversation. My fellow drinkers were, to my surprise, quite interested in what I was saying - although I do have my doubts as to whether any of them will take it any further practically.
Sadly, because of the nature of our mass media, which elevates the trivial to front-page news (see this story which made the front page on Friday - NB link might not work for long), I suspect that absolutely nothing will be done until the price of petrol/gasoline for motor vehicles shoots up - and then the gutter press will have a field day. People will let a 30% rise in gas for heating slide by, but as soon as it starts to impact on their motor cars, and they are reminded of it every time they fill up, then the farthing might just start to drop.
Regards all
Sadly, because of the nature of our mass media, which elevates the trivial to front-page news (see this story which made the front page on Friday - NB link might not work for long), I suspect that absolutely nothing will be done until the price of petrol/gasoline for motor vehicles shoots up - and then the gutter press will have a field day. People will let a 30% rise in gas for heating slide by, but as soon as it starts to impact on their motor cars, and they are reminded of it every time they fill up, then the farthing might just start to drop.
Regards all
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Re: How many people know?
by flip » Sun 24 Dec 2006, 08:46:18
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('alex22', 'I') can find endless amounts of information on Peak Oil but I don't know of a single person outside of my immediate family that is aware of this subject. Is this just where I live or is this normal? Those who I have tried to talk to about it are reluctant to even listen.
I've made the same experience, talking to my closest friends about the subject. Most of them ignore it, as soon as they recognize that peak oil is affecting their complete existence. Few others claim, that it doesn´t really matter to them, because they don´t give a f**k about this "global-society" and the earlier it falls the better it is. (of course they won´t be affected) - really strange...
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('alex22', ' ')Whats the awareness like other places in the world? When do you think this will hit the general population? I only hope it isn't too late already.
I think here in Germany it´s about 1%. Everyone knows about global warming and that there have to be done something more or less urgent, but peak oil is no topic. I believe it´s because global warming somehow allows you to continue your lifestyle, just add some recycling and one or two rides a week with your bike instead of your car and we´re saved. Peak oil implies that our lifestyle is indeed the problem.
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Re: How many people know?
by Aaron » Sun 24 Dec 2006, 09:08:37
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')his site has 15,000 members and lets just randomly say another 15,000 lurkers and/or industry insiders.
lol...
For your edification:
http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic25837-15.html
http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic23270.html
http://docs.google.com/View?docid=ajhv4zpx655h_9dx37zp
The problem is, of course, that not only is economics bankrupt, but it has always been nothing more than politics in disguise... economics is a form of brain damage.
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Hazel Henderson
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