[mark]

The most enduring monument of the last 6000 years of history is the Great Pyramid of Giza. Remembering this I am reminded that it's the perfect metaphor for our present predicament. By 'present predicament' I mean the mess we've made of our world since the founding of this nation. I'm not suggesting that the common man today is worse off than the common man of the late 1700s for he is certainly in better physical shape than even kings could imagine back then. I'm referring to the three areas of major impact on an individuals life: economic, social and religious. Wherever one looks, in those three areas of life, we've certainly made a hash of it.

All the news one sees these days is a reminder that the future is likely to be much more difficult than the past. Of course, for peak oil doomers, that's a given. Lately though, even the ever worsening economy is vying to displace the slide in oil production as humanities worst nightmare. With the US turning into a fascistic dictatorship, global warming threatening to boil away the little remaining water, increasing gun violence in public places, etc, etc, etc.

So, I'm wondering, who's getting out of this mess alive, or have we passed the point of critical mass guaranteeing civilizations survival? In other words, is the shape of civilization a pyramid with the base at the bottom (somehow things will work out) or is the base at the top (easily toppled over)? Is support for industrial civilization so broad and so strong that it will withstand any attack and survive, or, are the gathering storms strong enough to topple civilization?

I can't seem to make up my mind about this; one day I think it's all over and the next I'll find hope that salad shooters will remain part of daily life.

[mos6507]

That's pretty much how most of us feel. The "What a way to go" DVD pretty much says all there needs to be said about this.

A part of me is wracked with guilt and wants to reduce my footprint down to nothing and live in the woods, and another part of me wants to just make the most of 1st world prosperity while it lasts.

I think we're all going to have to transition step by step as the situation unfolds. If you try to get too far ahead of the curve you'll just alienate everyone around you.

[FrankRichards]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mark', '
')So, I'm wondering, who's getting out of this mess alive.

[Plantagenet]

The fear of the future has always been part of the human condition. 2500 years ago the Greeks used the metaphor of Damocles sword:

".....he chanced to raise his eyes toward the ceiling. What was it that was dnagling above him, with it's point almost touching his head? It was a sharp sword, and it was hung by only a single horsehair. What if the hair should break? There was danger every moment that it would do so.
____The smile faded from the lips of Damocles. His face became very pale. His hands trembled. He wanted no more food; he could drink no more wine; he took no more delight in the music. He longed to be out of the palace, and away, he cared not where.
____"What is the matter?" said the tyrant.
____"That sword! That sword!" cried Damocles. He was so badly frightened that he dared not move.
____"Yes," said Dionysius, "I know there is a sword above your head, and that it may fall at any moment."