[Chicagoan]

I was sitting in observing a high-school history lesson for my internship. The teacher noted that all civilizations of the past had collapsed. Then she asked the students if they believed that our civilization would collapse. Almost everyone raised their hand.

One student observed how America seems to be trying to stay on top by means of military force. I mentioned peak oil. It was a risk, but nothing bad happened to my credibility. This teacher encourages students to think outside the box, which is good. This was a mostly black inner-city school. The neighborhood has major problems, aparently including a turf war between rival gangs. It seems to me that these people, in general, are more willing to accept unpleasent facts then students from more "well-to-do" schools. Interesting.

[killJOY]

good for you, my friend. I know how difficult it is to put your reputation on the line. I'm a teacher myself and use peak oil as a research project.

I have students read Michael Shermer's "Why People Believe Weird Things" then later in the semester I have them judge themselves whether Peak Oil is just another "weird thing" or not.