[earthman]

Peak Oil can seem overwhelming, and like there is nothing any one individual can do about it. The Chinese symbol for crisis has two meanings: danger and opportunity. Peak Oil is a crisis; it is very dangerous and it is a great opportunity for us to evolve as human beings.

Nations do not use oil, individuals do. It is the combination of millions of individuals filling up their vehicles with gas every day that causes “national” demand.

We talked here on this forum about the mistake of relying on miracle technology or government to solve the problem. This hope disguises a resistance to change, a resistance to growing up and acting in a sane way. It disguises a selfish tendency to continue a lifestyle that is basically suicidal, ignorant, and egocentric, in that it does not care about everyone else in the world, nor the environment. Nationalism is just a collective version of egoism, and just as lame.

We are the ones who use energy, each individual. We are the ones who can change our minds, about how we live in the world, and what kind of world we want to live in. Changing our minds is not enough…a change in mindset must lead to a change in our behavior if the change in mindset is to be authentic, stable, and lasting.

Where are the so-called “Christians” who are supposed to realize that whatever they do, they do to Christ? Sleeping.

Anyone who is serious about this can make a commitment to change her or his use of energy. Many have already, but we need many more. If enough people can unite in this commitment, and live it, we can reduce our demand for oil by a significant amount, save money at the gas station, and say thank you to the Universe by polluting the Earth a little less.

We can do this willingly and intelligently, by autonomous conscious choice, or we can have it forced on us by martial law, imposed limits, rationing, etc. Which would you prefer? Do we value freedom? Will we exercise our freedom or welcome a prison state…willingly surrender freedom and responsibility for what?

How can we build solidarity and take this matter into our own hands rather than depending on the powers that be? (How did Poland overturn Communism without military force?)

I know that vehicular transportation is only one way we use oil, but we have to start somewhere, both in mindset and deeds. We have a crisis; we have a choice, we have an opportunity. We make a journey one step at a time, we can make this change, for the good of the entire planet, one gallon at a time.

If you want to post about all the excuses why you cannot change, please start another thread and call it “Individual slavery and irresponsibility.”

[EddieB]

Harper's Magazine had a great quote in one of its articles this month (I can't remember which one... maybe the one on coal mining in Kentucky), which basically echos the ideas you just laid out. I'm sorry I can't give credit to the author since I can't think of him/her right now, but to paraphrase, "Freedom is not unlimited choice in consumption, it is recognizing a limit and choosing to live within its boundries, not being forced to by some authority." That almost captures it... the idea was that freedom is liberty to live life without being told what to do by big brother, not unlimited choice of junk. We still do enjoy many freedoms in the US of A (although it would be pretty stinking hard to get out of the system if you are poor and live in section 8 housing in a big city...), so let's take advantage of them.

[Aaron]

http://www.peakoil.com/post94231.html#94231