Prophets of Doom......

[Petis]

It was aired last night on the History chanel, and it was a collection of specialists that were foretelling a not so distant depiction of America's eonomic demise. Reasons mentioned as contributions were, the lack of clean drinking water and its rapid decline in abundance, drastic drop in American and global oil, lack of economic stability, due to the low value of the US dollar and our never-ending debt, which will cause America to never get out of the 'rutt' that we find ourselves in, possible/likely nuclear apocolypse, lack of produce production and viable sources, and the dawn of artificial intelligence and their inevitable self awareness.

Anybody watch it? What are your thoughts?

[Oxer]

didnt watch it, But God its good to be Australian

[Petis]

^already feeling the pinch of the lack of potable water in Australia. It is the reason that it is illegal to take a shower over 5min. in Australia. They, along with several other countries and many US states, are strongly considering using refined sewage waste water as our main source of tap water.

[Petis]

Also, Global oil is forecast to be hitting a wall within the next 10 years, and seeing as there are alternative power sources, yet NOT ONE oil replacement, we as a species are headed down a dead end street.

[Oxer]

In Victoria they are building a desalination plant to convert sea water into useable water...


But that wasn't my point...


My point was, we're too drunk to give a damn.

[Petis]

^lol

[Kielan]

I didn't see it, but the world does indeed need to find a new source of energy, not only for power, but for transportation. Nuclear power at least in my opinion needs to be pushed forward. The amount of power 1 station can produce is amazing. I know in CT the plant here supplies 51% of the states power. Thats really damn impressive, and if you forget about the waste aspect, it has virtually no effect on the environment. (But seriously we need to find a way to get rid of that waste as well). In terms of alternative fuels for auto, I think hydrogen will lead the way. Its already been proven it can be done, we just need to refine the technology, which I think in the next 5 years will be a primary focus of auto manufacturers next to electric cars.

I could go deeper into this but I want to see where this conversation goes. I love topics such as this one. Great thread Petis.

[Petis]

^The big issue with having alternative energy sources and no 'replacement' is that all of us who cannot afford a "Brand New Hydrogen Car!!" will be S.O.L., especially considering the devestating colapse of the US dollar that is on our closest horizon. And, what will happen to our avenues of production? Millions of semi-trucks are driving intangeable miles every day to bring us our good. What will happen when those companies have no gas to fuel their fleets? What happens when our 9 to 5ers can no longer get to work to make our economy function? What happens when we have no coal to burn in the plant, that we have no workers for in the first place, because they can't get to work?

What are we going to do??

[Dudermagee]

I didn't see it, but the world does indeed need to find a new source of energy, not only for power, but for transportation. Nuclear power at least in my opinion needs to be pushed forward. The amount of power 1 station can produce is amazing. I know in CT the plant here supplies 51% of the states power. Thats really damn impressive, and if you forget about the waste aspect, it has virtually no effect on the environment. (But seriously we need to find a way to get rid of that waste as well). In terms of alternative fuels for auto, I think hydrogen will lead the way. Its already been proven it can be done, we just need to refine the technology, which I think in the next 5 years will be a primary focus of auto manufacturers next to electric cars.

I could go deeper into this but I want to see where this conversation goes. I love topics such as this one. Great thread Petis.

actually there is an answer for the waste

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=smarter-use-of-nuclear-waste

http://boingboing.net/2010/02/12/highlights-from-ted-2.html

http://www.physorg.com/news185694782.html

http://www.utexas.edu/news/2009/01/27/nuclear_hybrid/

[Petis]

One of the experts, the one who was specific about our economic collapse, made a really good analogy.

There was a dam about to break in the US. A study was done on those who were to be affected by its rupture. It was found that people 3 miles away were very concerned as what was going to happen. People who lived 2 miles away were hysterically worried and concerned about what would happen. People 1 mile away akted as if nothing was wrong and had no worries about it at all.

The point being that, the situation, for those to be most catostophically(sp?) impacted by the occurrance, was so life changing and drastic and terrible to imagine, that their brains couldn't/refused to accept the reality.

American's are the people a mile down river.

[Oxer]

^The big issue with having alternative energy sources and no 'replacement' is that all of us who cannot afford a "Brand New Hydrogen Car!!" will be S.O.L., especially considering the devestating colapse of the US dollar that is on our closest horizon. And, what will happen to our avenues of production? Millions of semi-trucks are driving intangeable miles every day to bring us our good. What will happen when those companies have no gas to fuel their fleets? What happens when our 9 to 5ers can no longer get to work to make our economy function? What happens when we have no coal to burn in the plant, that we have no workers for in the first place, because they can't get to work?

What are we going to do??

Buy some from us We have plenty!

regardless, the prime time for our species has come and gone. As if you wouldn't pick the 1950's-60's if you could go back in time and re-live an era.

[Dudermagee]

I don't think its going to be as bad as that show says
1. We are not going from being number 1 to number 100
2. We have the most amount of farmable land IN THE WORLD
3. We have a shitload of untabbed natural resources
4. When the shit gets tough, americans get going

[Kielan]

One of the experts, the one who was specific about our economic collapse, made a really good analogy.

There was a dam about to break in the US. A study was done on those who were to be affected by its rupture. It was found that people 3 miles away were very concerned as what was going to happen. People who lived 2 miles away were hysterically worried and concerned about what would happen. People 1 mile away akted as if nothing was wrong and had no worries about it at all.

The point being that, the situation, for those to be most catostophically(sp?) impacted by the occurrance, was so life changing and drastic and terrible to imagine, that their brains couldn't/refused to accept the reality.

American's are the people a mile down river.

Acted and catastrophically.

While there is a strong possibility that this indeed may happen, correct me if I'm wrong (and I am not trying to be "that guy"), but there is also the chance that it will happen in a lesser degree, or even not at all (although I don't see that being very likely). I am not an economic wiz so I can really only comment on the energy side here.

[Petis]

*acted.... haha that was a Badddd typo. I feel dumb


I think a big part of our issue as a country is our complacency. We have this idea that it has happened before, and we can bounce back.

Never have so many issues come at us with the same 'effiective' date. We will not 'bounce back' from this easily. We live in one of the most decadent societies ever to be on the face of this planet and we are living far outside of our means. Our population is sky-rocketting and we are still under the impression that everything will work itself out if we ignore it.

Action needs to be taken now, this minute, not in 30 years when we are completely past the exit ramp.

[Kielan]

Buy some from us We have plenty!

regardless, the prime time for our species has come and gone. As if you wouldn't pick the 1950's-60's if you could go back in time and re-live an era.

I wouldn't seeing as I would have no rights.