Tag Archive | "media"
Surveying the field and charting a course
It’s all the rage to talk about a double-dip in the industrial economy. That would be an economic trend in the shape of a W. I think an M is far more likely. The assumption of never-ending growth underlies all neoclassical economic assessments, but I think that assumption is about to break up on the [...]
Continue reading...Leadership in the post-carbon era
Friday, January 1, 2010
I’m getting cranky, judging from several comments on this blog and on Facebook (where my latest entries have been posted and then re-posted by contacts there). Not to pick nits, but I’m getting crankier. But, like all rationalizing animals, I have a good excuse. As my awareness grows, hopefully along with the awareness of other [...]
Continue reading...Rally time
Thursday, August 27, 2009
It's rally time on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average eked out a positive day for the eighth day in a row to hit a year-long high amidst the longest streak since April of 2007. Before you get too excited about this bit of green-shoots news from the boys on murderer's row, let's consider the cause and consequences.
Continue reading...Celebration and cognitive dissonance (but not celebrating cognitive dissonance)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
A reminder about online comments is given by John Michael Greer in this week's version of his blog. His primary point, that our information age is actually dependent on physical substrate, reminds me of the cognitive dissonance running so deeply among the American populace. Example A is the magical thinking that we'll create new alternatives to oil, despite the absence of any such alternatives so far, even when the price of oil skyrocketed to $147.27. Example B is the magical thinking that we need to keep the cars running at all costs ... which means, of course, at every cost to the planet and even our own species. Example C is the magical thinking that our economy is necessary to our survival, when in fact it is a grave threat to our survival.
Continue reading...Media alert
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The industrial economy is slipping through our fingers like mercury from a broken thermometer. Facing a rapid terminal decline in crude oil -- the lifeblood of western civilization -- there is nothing you, me, or President Obama can do to save the industrial economy. But as we near the end of the industrial economy, complete with the collapse of our fuel-, food- and water-delivery systems, individuals can make arrangements to thrive in the post-carbon era.
Continue reading...Three peas in a pod: Osama bin Laden, Rush Limbaugh, and me
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
For the first time in my memory, we have a major media figure pining for the failure of a president, and therefore the country. And, also for the first time in my memory, I agree with Rush. The economic collapse of this country promises a renaissance for non-human species and non-industrial cultures.
Continue reading...Time to throw in the towel?
Sunday, January 4, 2009
I used to talk, and write, about peak oil with considerable urgency. But my enthusiasm is waning. Perhaps it's time to throw in the proverbial towel, give up the proverbial ghost, switch proverbial horses, or ... well, insert your own tired cliché here.
Continue reading...Engaging collapse
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The second reminder appeared in the cover story of the local counter-culture rag. It's a compelling story, told sufficiently well to evoke tears as I read it. It's a reminder that we can do many things to help others and ourselves as the world comes down around us.
Continue reading...Do the media get it, or not?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
It seems neither the Fed nor the Treasury Department cannot stop sunshine with an umbrella, much less interrupt the relentless tsunami of dire economic news.
Continue reading...Talk radio: get it while you can
Thursday, May 29, 2008
As you can imagine, Heller doesn't believe in peak oil, so he's all set to grill Alten about his "ludicrous" novel. I think I'm supposed to provide air support.
Continue reading...
Friday, April 16, 2010
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