Let's assume that post-peak, the agricultural lifestyle is the main way of life in the world. I wanted to explore some possible roles besides the stupidly obvious one (farmer).
Priest/minister- I expect a world where life is harder to start to "find God" again. In our world, material goods and advanced science have replaced God. Also, after we lose our psychiatrists, zanex (and our other feel good drugs), and such, priests will become the main source for counseling and overall mental well-being.
Doctor/surgeon- Having a doctor, particularaly one who can do surgery, will be a major boon to the survival of your community. The doctor will probably be looked after very well, receiving choice food and housing. Even though the training of doctors in America is little more than a glorified sleep deprivation exercise, we still have a few good doctors.
Herbalist- When Merck goes down the tubes, having one of these fellows will make your doctor much more effective by his knowledge of curative plants and salves. If he knows how to make penicillin, that will be a remarkable boost to the standard of living.
Engineer- Can you say "Reinvent the Steam Engine"? If you have a few engineers, your little farming society might get into the 1800's so to speak. You'll have the potential for steam engines, roads, running water, and maybe even electricity.
Musicians- While superficially frivolous, someone with an instrument can cheer up gloomy townspeople during a bad winter or low harvest.
These are just a few I could think of quickly. Feel free to add and of course, comment. If you have a good role that I forgot, I will add it here.
I am also pondering if I should include a scholar. Having a villager with the works of Dumas, Dante, SHakespeare, the Bible etc would be an asset.
PeakOil is You
Roles in an agrarian post-peak society...
Roles in an agrarian post-peak society...
by Baldwin » Thu 08 Mar 2007, 20:13:25
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Baldwin - Coal
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Re: Roles in an agrarian post-peak society...
by Uninspired123 » Thu 08 Mar 2007, 20:36:35
I think you've been reading too many doomer books.
If the decline ends up being slow, under maybe 4%, i don't see why we can't be relocated and transformed. Of course there will be pain, but we're not gonna go back to the 1700s.
If the decline ends up being slow, under maybe 4%, i don't see why we can't be relocated and transformed. Of course there will be pain, but we're not gonna go back to the 1700s.
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Uninspired123 - Wood
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Re: Roles in an agrarian post-peak society...
by Baldwin » Thu 08 Mar 2007, 21:00:00
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Uninspired123', 'I') think you've been reading too many doomer books.
If the decline ends up being slow, under maybe 4%, i don't see why we can't be relocated and transformed. Of course there will be pain, but we're not gonna go back to the 1700s.
If the decline ends up being slow, under maybe 4%, i don't see why we can't be relocated and transformed. Of course there will be pain, but we're not gonna go back to the 1700s.
Then in what year do you put wood stoves, pack animals, and such in?
Where are all the business majors and fitness instructors going? We graduate so many useless people in a society that will ahve to downsize. Also, we'll need to reduce the population.
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Re: Roles in an agrarian post-peak society...
by Aaron » Thu 08 Mar 2007, 21:08:12
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Uninspired123', 'I') think you've been reading too many doomer books.
If the decline ends up being slow, under maybe 4%, i don't see why we can't be relocated and transformed. Of course there will be pain, but we're not gonna go back to the 1700s.
If the decline ends up being slow, under maybe 4%, i don't see why we can't be relocated and transformed. Of course there will be pain, but we're not gonna go back to the 1700s.
Spoken like a true American.
Guy... most of your fellow humans live pretty close to the 1700's standard today. (Many much worse)
The rich will still exist of course... although that will be redefined too. Peak Oil means an expanded poverty footprint for mankind. More of you who "have" today... won't tomorrow.
A whole bunch more.
And you will be reduced to a poverty which is all but incomprehensible to modern Western sensibilities.
4%?
We wish...
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.
Hazel Henderson
Hazel Henderson
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Re: Roles in an agrarian post-peak society...
by Uninspired123 » Thu 08 Mar 2007, 21:24:27
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Baldwin', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Uninspired123', 'I') think you've been reading too many doomer books.
If the decline ends up being slow, under maybe 4%, i don't see why we can't be relocated and transformed. Of course there will be pain, but we're not gonna go back to the 1700s.
If the decline ends up being slow, under maybe 4%, i don't see why we can't be relocated and transformed. Of course there will be pain, but we're not gonna go back to the 1700s.
Then in what year do you put wood stoves, pack animals, and such in?
Where are all the business majors and fitness instructors going? We graduate so many useless people in a society that will ahve to downsize. Also, we'll need to reduce the population.
I just didn't take much stock into your original post when you mentioned "herbalists" and " musicians" as necessary people. If they are necessary, then surely business people and fitness instructors are just as necessary. The business majors and fitness instructors will go whereever they have to to make money, if that means a career change then they will do it. I know it takes energy to do a career change, but is it then impossible to change careers even in a downsizing economy? I really don't think so.
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