Once you accept the post peak oil concept, you will never again be able to go to the grocery store, the park or the mall.
Just go and look around at all the people-who you realize haven't a clue, or any interest in acquiring a clue-to what is going on in the world.
After a couple of minutes, you will be looking for the nearest bathroom!
PeakOil is You
Scare yourself
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Scare yourself
by Ferretlover » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 15:49:12
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Re: Scare yourself
by RonMN » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 17:13:31
It gets better...Honest it does. You can talk 'till you're blue & nobody will listen. Even as bad things are happening, others will believe the media that "all is well".
Try to look at it this way...Are YOU responsible for others debt? Are YOU responsible for their bad decisions?
I know it can be frightening but all you can do is keep your eyes open & prepare for YOURSELF. I know that may sound selfish, but the truth is you can't carry everybody on your back...if they make a choice then it's they that need to live (or die) with that choice.
Best of luck my friend!
Try to look at it this way...Are YOU responsible for others debt? Are YOU responsible for their bad decisions?
I know it can be frightening but all you can do is keep your eyes open & prepare for YOURSELF. I know that may sound selfish, but the truth is you can't carry everybody on your back...if they make a choice then it's they that need to live (or die) with that choice.
Best of luck my friend!
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes.
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Re: Scare yourself
by wisconsin_cur » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 17:23:30
I guess I've never really had that feeling. Though it had nothing to do with PO I was about 19 when I first had that "the world is clueless" sensation. By the time I first heard of PO it was a common experience. It is part of my anthropology.
I only have to run to the bathroom at the store if I had too much coffee before hand.
I only have to run to the bathroom at the store if I had too much coffee before hand.
http://www.thenewfederalistpapers.com
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Re: Scare yourself
by catbox » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 17:29:36
My wife said to me today as we pull into the grocery store lot...as I made a comment about the "Car Wash for Charity" kids in the lot not being able to yell "Car Wash!" for much longer,...... "please don't talk about PO today, because it's everywhere I look and it just bumms me out!" I shut up cause I know how she is.
She's a person that needs to warm up to things slowly...I've been rambling for 4 years now....she gets it, but worries about things a bunch. I think she fears for our daughter's future...as she should.
Off for a long bike ride to get my stress out!
catbox
She's a person that needs to warm up to things slowly...I've been rambling for 4 years now....she gets it, but worries about things a bunch. I think she fears for our daughter's future...as she should.
Off for a long bike ride to get my stress out!
catbox
Punk is not really a style of music. It was more like a state of mind.
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Re: Scare yourself
by WildRose » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 17:40:28
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', 'O')nce you accept the post peak oil concept, you will never again be able to go to the grocery store, the park or the mall.
Just go and look around at all the people-who you realize haven't a clue, or any interest in acquiring a clue-to what is going on in the world.
After a couple of minutes, you will be looking for the nearest bathroom!
Just go and look around at all the people-who you realize haven't a clue, or any interest in acquiring a clue-to what is going on in the world.
After a couple of minutes, you will be looking for the nearest bathroom!
I learned about all of this two years ago. I had a good scare, Ferretlover, let me tell you, imagining empty store shelves and neighbors turning on each other, and then later, after reading about the Olduvai theory, imagining no lights on downtown! Actually, it is kind of funny that now I am past the fear somehow, even though I understand the geopolitical implications of all of this and have considered what the world will look like, 25 years from now, when we are extracting maybe only half the amount of oil we operate on today.
What I find now is that I think differently about my work and what I should do with the next few years. I have been doing the same work for the past 26 or so years, and I just want to pay off debt and do whatever I can to help my family be in the best position possible. I find myself struggling with whether this is the best course of action or whether I should concentrate my efforts full-time on learning as much as I can about skills for life with fewer resources.
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Re: Scare yourself
by RdSnt » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 18:30:08
While you have time Wildrose I would say learn as many skills as you can in preparation for no electricity, but make it fun like a hobby. No need to stress yourself out too much yet.
I would definitely take whatever measures you can afford to prepare for disaster. That's not a doomer sentiment, we should all take steps to be prepared for the most likely disasters that may visit us where we live. That's just common sense. In this case though, move beyond the common preparation and plan for the longer term.
I would definitely make sure you and your family have good first aid training. Again, that doesn't have to be couched in the terms of doom and gloom, just common sense.
I too have a wife who prefers not to talk about what may come. However, she and I are already prepared. We have lived without electricity for extended periods. We can food each year, simply because we prefer that. My wife also knows that I'm constantly vigilant and trusts that I will see things coming. I rely on the fact I know my wife won't panic and certainly won't be surprised when I tell her of imminent problems.
This sort of experience takes years to accumulate. She and I just naturally chose to acquire multiple skills. Others will need to think of this consciously and take steps to catch up.
Don't hesitate, don't apologize and don't panic.
I would definitely take whatever measures you can afford to prepare for disaster. That's not a doomer sentiment, we should all take steps to be prepared for the most likely disasters that may visit us where we live. That's just common sense. In this case though, move beyond the common preparation and plan for the longer term.
I would definitely make sure you and your family have good first aid training. Again, that doesn't have to be couched in the terms of doom and gloom, just common sense.
I too have a wife who prefers not to talk about what may come. However, she and I are already prepared. We have lived without electricity for extended periods. We can food each year, simply because we prefer that. My wife also knows that I'm constantly vigilant and trusts that I will see things coming. I rely on the fact I know my wife won't panic and certainly won't be surprised when I tell her of imminent problems.
This sort of experience takes years to accumulate. She and I just naturally chose to acquire multiple skills. Others will need to think of this consciously and take steps to catch up.
Don't hesitate, don't apologize and don't panic.
Gravity is not a force, it is a boundary layer.
Everything is coincident.
Love: the state of suspended anticipation.
To get any appreciable distance from the Earth in
a sensible amount of time, you must lie.
Everything is coincident.
Love: the state of suspended anticipation.
To get any appreciable distance from the Earth in
a sensible amount of time, you must lie.
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Re: Scare yourself
by WildRose » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 19:01:33
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RdSnt', '
')
This sort of experience takes years to accumulate. She and I just naturally chose to acquire multiple skills. Others will need to think of this consciously and take steps to catch up.
Don't hesitate, don't apologize and don't panic.
')
This sort of experience takes years to accumulate. She and I just naturally chose to acquire multiple skills. Others will need to think of this consciously and take steps to catch up.
Don't hesitate, don't apologize and don't panic.
Goods points, RdSnt, and a great approach.
As a family we are taking some of these steps already but have some distance to go yet. Fortunately, I am growing some food now and planning for more of this next year, also learning about home remedies and fix-it measures. My husband is a mechanic and instrumentation technician and can repair most things, also is pretty good at inventing stuff with basic supplies.
I am a little concerned about heating in the future in this northern climate (albeit, it is getting a little warmer in recent years!) Probably a good warm sleeping bag for each family member would be a good purchase for Canadian families.
I find it interesting that your wife is aware of the challenges ahead and heartwarming that she trusts you to keep aware of whatever is coming your way without stressing about it herself, allowing you to do more of the planning. Some friends of ours have the same kind of agreement between them, although they are not really aware of energy depletion issues as much as they are worried about nuclear war. In any case, it is imperative that people are prepared for emergencies, and I have noticed much more about this in our local media lately (newspaper articles, lectures, pamphlets and so forth).
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Re: Scare yourself
by vision-master » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 19:56:47
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', 'O')nce you accept the post peak oil concept, you will never again be able to go to the grocery store, the park or the mall.
Just go and look around at all the people-who you realize haven't a clue, or any interest in acquiring a clue-to what is going on in the world.
After a couple of minutes, you will be looking for the nearest bathroom!
Just go and look around at all the people-who you realize haven't a clue, or any interest in acquiring a clue-to what is going on in the world.
After a couple of minutes, you will be looking for the nearest bathroom!
After leaning about Peak Oil, I understand what's happening at the gas pump and grocery store.
Want some fun. Next time you see one of those big ol SUV's or Pick-Ups at the pump, start tellen em that this is just a start & gas prices will only get higher! Expect to see $4 real soon. They look at you in disbelief.
- vision-master
Re: Scare yourself
by Ferretlover » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 19:59:40
You people make glad I found you!!!
Good ideas and information, plus the knowledge that most of you have already been through the stage where I am at and are still functioning!!
Good ideas and information, plus the knowledge that most of you have already been through the stage where I am at and are still functioning!!
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Re: Scare yourself
by savethehumans » Sat 07 Jul 2007, 23:35:21
Isn't it wonderful, just to have people you can TALK TO?
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Re: Scare yourself
by jdumars » Sun 08 Jul 2007, 10:48:29
There are so many positive changes you can make in response to this threat that will serve you the rest of your life, regardless of how things turn out. Before we moved to Tennessee in January, we lived in a tiny apartment in downtown Portland, Oregon with no place to grow food or anything else. Yet, for those three years we made a HUGE transition in preparedness. These are things anyone can do anywhere, and are very good for you:
- Start eating as locally and seasonally as possible (farmer's market, freezing food in the summer for winter, canning/preservation)
- Stop dining out and make 100% of your food at home
- Don't drink anything but water and occasionally red wine
- Learn simple lacto-fermentation
- Stop using anything chemically, including "personal beauty products," anything with fragrance, chemical cleaners, etc. There are a million subsitutes that do a better job and are waaaay cheaper
- Throw away all your shampoos and soaps and start using Grandpa's old fashioned pine tar soap
- Buy a piece of property somewhere that you can set up as a bug out (there is arable land all over the country for cheap)
- Pay attention to water usage and only use what you need to... if it's yellow, be mellow, if it's brown, flush it down
- Get out of debt
- Buy a simple set of camping gear, 1 good knife
- Learn how to sharpen blades without ruining them
- Buy one cast iron skillet and learn how to make most of your food in it
- Study the internet for information on self-sufficiency
- Learn all of the local wild edilble plants in your area, and seek them out (carefully!)
- Get in good physical condition through regular natural exercise like walking (this combined with local diet is all you need... if you are at all overweight, this will cure it!)
- Get used to showering less frequently... and try to make the water cooler each time
- Stop watching TV except for specific programs you choose to watch... no channel surfing
- Go hungry at least once a day (don't eat when you get that first "hunger pang", just drink a glass of water and figure you'll eat later on)
These are just a few of the things we did, and the results were miraculous. We got out of debt, lost weight, are incredibly healthy, and ultimately much more prepared for any kind of setback. We can prosper in a teeny tiny place with very little income, and we're mentally adjusted to a life with much less energy and food. All of this deconsumption provides you with a much simpler set of things to deal with. You also realize how much bad food and chemicals affect you, especially when you go into a big box store and start yawning uncontrollably from the chemicals, or have a burger and feel like you're going to lose it.
If you want any more ideas or specifics, let me know. I'll be glad to help in any way I can.
- Start eating as locally and seasonally as possible (farmer's market, freezing food in the summer for winter, canning/preservation)
- Stop dining out and make 100% of your food at home
- Don't drink anything but water and occasionally red wine
- Learn simple lacto-fermentation
- Stop using anything chemically, including "personal beauty products," anything with fragrance, chemical cleaners, etc. There are a million subsitutes that do a better job and are waaaay cheaper
- Throw away all your shampoos and soaps and start using Grandpa's old fashioned pine tar soap
- Buy a piece of property somewhere that you can set up as a bug out (there is arable land all over the country for cheap)
- Pay attention to water usage and only use what you need to... if it's yellow, be mellow, if it's brown, flush it down
- Get out of debt
- Buy a simple set of camping gear, 1 good knife
- Learn how to sharpen blades without ruining them
- Buy one cast iron skillet and learn how to make most of your food in it
- Study the internet for information on self-sufficiency
- Learn all of the local wild edilble plants in your area, and seek them out (carefully!)
- Get in good physical condition through regular natural exercise like walking (this combined with local diet is all you need... if you are at all overweight, this will cure it!)
- Get used to showering less frequently... and try to make the water cooler each time
- Stop watching TV except for specific programs you choose to watch... no channel surfing
- Go hungry at least once a day (don't eat when you get that first "hunger pang", just drink a glass of water and figure you'll eat later on)
These are just a few of the things we did, and the results were miraculous. We got out of debt, lost weight, are incredibly healthy, and ultimately much more prepared for any kind of setback. We can prosper in a teeny tiny place with very little income, and we're mentally adjusted to a life with much less energy and food. All of this deconsumption provides you with a much simpler set of things to deal with. You also realize how much bad food and chemicals affect you, especially when you go into a big box store and start yawning uncontrollably from the chemicals, or have a burger and feel like you're going to lose it.
If you want any more ideas or specifics, let me know. I'll be glad to help in any way I can.
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Re: Scare yourself
by coyote » Sun 08 Jul 2007, 13:59:02
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('savethehumans', 'I')sn't it wonderful, just to have people you can TALK TO?
I tried to quit po.com once, to spend more time on preparations, but for me it was counterproductive -- I found that I now need some contact with others who understand the severity of the situation, and I just couldn't find it in 3D. I think my sabbatical lasted about six weeks or so, then I came back.
I spend days without posting a thing, just reading through the new topics and discussions and arguments that arise. I find it very helpful in keeping me focused and moving forward with my plans and preps. And in maintaining a positive outlook.
Lord, here comes the flood
We'll say goodbye to flesh and blood
If again the seas are silent in any still alive
It'll be those who gave their island to survive...
We'll say goodbye to flesh and blood
If again the seas are silent in any still alive
It'll be those who gave their island to survive...
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