Octogenarian recalls the First Great Depression
Rowena spoke about people giving them hand-me-down clothes and a bag of groceries from time to time. “But we never felt deprived,” she told me. “And having hand-me-downs is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Culture & Behavior
Commentary: Will we be able to maintain & replace our energy & transportation infrastructure in a post-peak oil world?
However, when we look at the global economy from the point of view of a long-term decline in global net oil exports, it seems very likely that, to paraphrase a famous quote, what can’t be funded and maintained won’t be funded and maintained; and that the funding and maintenance problem will probably continue to become most apparent in the short term in American suburbia and exurbia.
The quants and the poets
If, a century ago, the keenest talking heads of the age (who would that have been, I wonder: Chesterton, Shaw, Belloc, Jo Chamberlain?) had battled it out amongst themselves about the future of infrastructure and energy, what would that debate have looked like?
Japan’s peak oil dry run
For large parts of eastern Japan that were not directly hit by the tsunami on 11 March 2011, including the nation’s capital, the current state of affairs feels very much like a dry-run for peak oil. This is not to belittle the tragic loss of life and the dire situation facing many survivors left without homes and livelihoods. Rather, the aim here is to reflect upon the post-disaster events and compare them with those normally associated with the worst-case scenarios for peak oil.
Financial totalitarianism
And so, the answer to the perennially annoying question “How do I invest my money for it to survive financial, political and commercial collapse?” is this: “There is no answer to your question. Try asking a different question, to which there might be an answer.”
The high cost of simplicty, angry Quakers, and the fallacy of neutral money
These days, spiritual understandings of “simple living” go to great lengths to evade discussions of finance, thus perpetuating an environment where “living simply” requires “spending amply.”
Responses – April 3
– The Atlantic on Transition Towns
– Bill McKibben: Natural Disasters?
– Cheap Motels and a Hot Plate: Speak Out, Fight Back!
Predicting and preparing for disasters – April 3
– Why ‘Plan B’ often works out badly
– Why Were We Unprepared for Japan?
– Japan’s ‘black swan’: Scientists ponder the unparalleled dangers of unlikely disasters
– Calculating calamity: Japan’s nuclear accident and the “antifragile” alternative
Creation of the golden pants
There are some items of clothing that we could not survive without. Living in the 150 mile wardrobe has made me keenly aware of how my garments are essential for my survival. Beyond fashion, clothes are my shelter….More often than not, (this winter especially), there is one pair of pants that make their way onto my body, day after day “Golden Pants”, as they have lovingly been nicknamed. Their creation took place some time back, and since that time I have worn them to the point of living in them. Their creator and designer is Berkeley scientist, Thara Srinivasan.
Breaking news: Priam’s treasure returned to the Berlin Museum
“Cassandra’s Legacy” is proud to present some breaking news about Priam’s treasure that was found by archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the late 1800s while excavating the site of the ancient city of Troy. The Treasure is well known for including such objects as “Helen’s Jewels” and other artifacts coming from the time of the siege of Troy as told by Homer in the Iliad. It had been removed from Berlin by the Red Army in 1945 and kept in Russia ever since. Now, after extended negotiations, we have confirmation that the treasure has been returned to the Berlin museum where it is being examined and studied.
Too much energy?
Most discussions of energy and society assume without question that energy is subject to the “lottle” principle — if a little is good, a lot’ll be better, and there is no upper limit to the beneficial effect of increasing energy per capita. Maybe it’s time to take a second look at that widespread belief. Climbing aboard a train, the Archdruid gives it a shot.
Artificial leaves and old Buicks
What I object to is this style of science based on press releases which are only hype and no substance. I understand that scientists are human beings and they like to be in the spotlight once in a while. I understand also that one may need to use these methods in order to get research grants. But, in the long run, this is something that only generated false hopes and disillusion.