[Narz]

All this gloom & doom is bad for one's mental health. Lets make a list of the pluses of peak oil.

For one, I think peak oil will make us very, very creative. Necessity is the mother of invention and all. People will have to use and reuse their household items, their minds, their skills and each other (not necessarily "use" in a bad way but utilize) in ways they never imagined in easier times. Some might think we're going to "return to the stone age" but I hardly think that's true. People will do what they can, and anything they can to survive and continue to be innovative, creative and ensure the survival of their kin. After a dark age we will have another renaissance, this one however, will be much more mindful of the limitations of mankind and the importance of sustainability.

What are some of the other pluses, in your opinion.

[Plantagenet]

There are opportunities for significant gains in the stock market, as the profits of both conventional and alternative energy companies are likely to increase significantly as energy costs rise.

[Baldwin]

I don't think that "necessity is the mother of invention" can save us beside teaching us the old methodology of sustainable agriculture.

[PrairieMule]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'T')here are opportunities for significant gains in the stock market, as the profits of both conventional and alternative energy companies are likely to increase significantly as energy costs rise.

[Narz]

Another plus, IMO, is that people will relearn to value their close relationships more as is often the case in hard times.

Of course there will probably be much hostility and violence too but perhaps less neurotic issues and even depression (keeping in mind that during wartime suicide rates actually drop).

[wisconsin_cur]

I think the crows, racoons, armadillos and the like will have a great feast for a few weeks or months on all of the bodies of our friends and neighbors.

Forgive me if I do not take too much joy in this.