tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post9110678815520919621..comments2024-03-29T06:38:18.116+00:00Comments on Energy Balance: Why Bother With Fracking?Professor Chris Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-61595794667547384472016-02-20T13:41:47.417+00:002016-02-20T13:41:47.417+00:00Just came across this blog & thread.
Michael, ...Just came across this blog & thread.<br />Michael, I didn't hear any reference to a agroecoligical socialist utopia being proposed within the Q&A.<br />What was said was a scaling up of regenerative agriculture and addressing the 'Common Agricultural Policy' to reward farmers for using such methods and also creating many more needed jobs in the process of doing so, furthermore....the techniques of regenerative agriculture are ecologically-and therefore economically-savy, ergo..profitable! which, after all, is *the* bottom line for any capitalist motivation. Current methods being used are completely unsustainable, costly, degrading and unaccountable, thus...any capital activity taking place within the confines of high-input convention, will simply cease to be, so it either switches, and makes profit, or continues.... and collapses, eco-socialist utopia?....or hard nosed business acumen for an 'economy of ecology'?<br /><br />PS..France is now adopting carbon sequestration agriculture, otherwise known as regenerative agriculture, since the Paris talks.<br /><br />Here's a taster of that black carbon farming.<br /> https://vimeo.com/146177360<br />No death squads required and a little bit more advanced than the admirable efforts of Cuba.<br /><br />Kind regards.<br /><br />Beyond hyperbole.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-3992546922101155902014-03-20T18:06:31.555+00:002014-03-20T18:06:31.555+00:00The people who believe in anarchism associate the ...The people who believe in anarchism associate the word with freedom, not mayhem, so I think a rename is probably off the cards.<br /><br />Interesting peice by Dr Nafeez Ahmed on his Guardian blog today about how the Iraq war was a response to peak oil, not that that's any surprise, but nice to see it in a more mainstream location.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/mar/20/iraq-war-oil-resources-energy-peak-scarcity-economy" rel="nofollow">http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/mar/20/iraq-war-oil-resources-energy-peak-scarcity-economy</a>Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-61637932856998667342014-03-20T17:08:22.696+00:002014-03-20T17:08:22.696+00:00Yes, it has the same egalitarian quality! I think ...Yes, it has the same egalitarian quality! I think you are right that rebranding/renaming it would assist its appeal.Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-70069285013113780252014-03-20T16:59:05.192+00:002014-03-20T16:59:05.192+00:00Most anarchist theory is about creating order with...Most anarchist theory is about creating order without authority rather than the mayhem people associate with it. Anarcho syndicalism to my mind is an extremely good fit with transition towns. Perhaps it could do with a rebranding so as not to scare people off.<br /><br />http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarcho-syndicalismMichael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-34081327177604590232014-03-20T16:34:35.717+00:002014-03-20T16:34:35.717+00:00He would be listened to!
Heinberg's stuff is ...He would be listened to!<br /><br />Heinberg's stuff is very good and Rob Hopkins speaks very eloquently about Transition Towns.<br /><br />I agree that there are some attractions in "anarchy theory", but maybe we need controlled anarchy not mayhem and chaos, which is what I fear may come.<br /><br />I think all "sensible" ideas and skills, both old and new should be welcomed!Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-58400206805683881592014-03-20T16:26:48.555+00:002014-03-20T16:26:48.555+00:00In all seriousness attempting to get Russell infor...In all seriousness attempting to get Russell informed on this issue and talking about it in public would be quite the coup. What is the best introductory video you know of? Heinberg's talk at Totnes perhaps?<br /><br />The west will most certainly use imperialism destroying country after country to export the consequences elsewhere for as long as possible, of course getting bitchslapped by Putin twice in the last 12 months on Syria and Ukraine shows that they might not be in the position to do this for much longer anyway.<br /><br />I dislike when people use anarchy in the negative, as I find some Anarchist theory very appealing and appropriate for the kind of society I envisage being created. In particularly anarcho syndicalism, I fear any kind of top down system of power in such a society will result in serfdom and even slavery.<br /><br />In the media people always talk about how people should come up with new ideas or shut up, when these ideas have been discussed to death a century ago and the idea which "won" is fundamentally unsustainable as Marx pointed out in Das Kapital. How about they shut up for a change and let people discuss some old ideas?Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-45954788100173344942014-03-20T15:49:58.848+00:002014-03-20T15:49:58.848+00:00Maybe we should get Russell Brand on the case! :-)...Maybe we should get Russell Brand on the case! :-)<br /><br />I suspect you are right. The Cubans didn't have the consumerist culture and mentality, so tough though it must have been, they could adapt.<br /><br />My fear is that the approach in our culture will be to just grab whatever anyone needs/wants, and the hell with everybody else.<br /><br />Real change and cooperation may well come, but only when anarchy has been found to fail.<br />Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-82281397483022162252014-03-20T15:44:23.194+00:002014-03-20T15:44:23.194+00:00I fear the promises given to people of the future ...I fear the promises given to people of the future by our consumerist culture and media propaganda not being fulfilled will leave many far too hopelessly depressed or in complete denial to do what the Cubans did in our country, and of course the media will continue to lie to the public long after the reality becomes clear to most sensible people.<br /><br />Would be nice to see the media bubble be pricked a little more often and by people other than Russell Brand.<br /><br />Cheers.Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-70071718476762387582014-03-20T08:11:29.788+00:002014-03-20T08:11:29.788+00:00Dear Michael,
thanks for this. I have indeed hear...Dear Michael,<br /><br />thanks for this. I have indeed heard of the Cuban situation, and seen this video, and they are the only nation to have survived a "peak oil" experience.<br /><br />I understand that the economy in Cuba now is complex, but at the critical time, the Cubans pulled together, and used every available space to grow food inn.<br /><br />I have also heard it said that the Fukushima disaster in Japan created a similar situation for a while, as supply lines were breached. Again, the people seem to have pulled through.<br /><br />I hope that the resources that we have within us as humans will win out, but the sooner we begin to build a Plan B, the better, since the longer we delay so doing, the less of our material resources we will have left to support the task.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />ChrisProfessor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-62828107860329018282014-03-20T01:57:40.313+00:002014-03-20T01:57:40.313+00:00In case you have not seen it, I came across this d...In case you have not seen it, I came across this documentary recently<br /><br />"The Power of Community. How Cuba Survived Peak Oil"<br /><br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUWces5TkCAMichael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-44734535924444681642014-02-25T17:09:57.022+00:002014-02-25T17:09:57.022+00:00Sounds like a well-organised programme then.
They...Sounds like a well-organised programme then.<br /><br />They can get back, as they wish, but it's a topic that usually is popular.<br /><br />ChrisProfessor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-63980797054265790572014-02-25T16:54:57.116+00:002014-02-25T16:54:57.116+00:00I've fired off an email, I don't know the ...I've fired off an email, I don't know the organisers personally so I hold no sway in that regard.<br /><br />Looks like they are booked up until AugustMichael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-4830582697225317722014-02-24T08:35:37.025+00:002014-02-24T08:35:37.025+00:00I've seen the documentary and it is deeply uns...I've seen the documentary and it is deeply unsettling. It may well all turn our badly for us, and some be "sacrificed" to benefit those with the power.<br /><br />I've given probably 30-odd CS talks, and many other venues, so if you want me to give a talk up at Stockton, maybe you could recommend me?<br /><br />This talk always draws a big crowd, and so if your attendance is excellent anyway. we could expect quite a bonanza! :-)<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />ChrisProfessor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-8529046183545643792014-02-23T17:03:47.345+00:002014-02-23T17:03:47.345+00:00I anticipate a lot worse than martial law.
If you...I anticipate a lot worse than martial law.<br /><br />If you haven't watched Pilger's The War on Democracy, you really should give it a watch.<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeHzc1h8k7o&t=38m15s<br /><br />There is an overlong bit at the beginning about the brief 2002 coup against Chavez, I have skipped that.<br /><br />Hope to see you at my local Cafe Scientifique (Stockton) at some point, I hear it pulls one of the largest audience of all the CS in the country.Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-38871581359007078752014-02-23T16:36:00.232+00:002014-02-23T16:36:00.232+00:00As said, I think we might end up with a state of m...As said, I think we might end up with a state of martial law, to hold things in some semblance of order.<br /><br />Yes, the Goode Life. Of course they weren't really living sustainably, but their had generous neighbours! :-) They had cut their use of energy etc. tremendously though.<br /><br />I'm not sure how it will all pan out, but I am fairly certain we are entering a new phase of human experience.Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-48150807494851942922014-02-23T16:15:35.142+00:002014-02-23T16:15:35.142+00:00I think people just can't conceive of what the...I think people just can't conceive of what the Western democracies are really capable of doing to their own people when really pushed.<br /><br />When imagining this future I imagine a lot of Green voting middle class suburban people just picture The Goode Life.<br /><br />When they need to be prepared to be on the receiving end of all the most awful bits from a John Pilger documentary.<br /><br />Optimism about the agrarian future is great, but people's eyes need to be open the nature of power and the tactics they will use to properly resist when the time comes.<br /><br />There is a lot to be learned from countries like Nicaragua.Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-20209927064329025922014-02-23T14:18:13.371+00:002014-02-23T14:18:13.371+00:00I suspect that few have really come to terms with ...I suspect that few have really come to terms with the implications of losing even 20% of our oil supply.<br /><br />If we lose more than half of it in less than two decades, and with no proper planning ahead, and remaining in denial as to what is likely to come, the result will be calamitous.<br /><br />The tendency is to look at the agrarian future as if it is in place, and to ignore the bit in the middle - the chasm that must be crossed. That said, it is more positive to focus on the final outcome and the benefits of that.<br /><br />The Transition Town people use a method called "back-casting" where they envisage the future they would like and then move back year by year, to identify the courses of action at various stages, that are necessary to bring it about.<br /><br />Undeniably, this is idealistic and I agree with your first point, that there will be considerable resistance to change, mainly from those with most to lose - i.e. in terms of money and power!Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-15905631217125444602014-02-23T14:08:30.434+00:002014-02-23T14:08:30.434+00:00I agree that it will require an absolute nose dive...I agree that it will require an absolute nose dive in living standards before even the public starts to begin considering a post capitalism agrarian society as desirable.<br /><br />I just wonder if the people in the Q&A advocating these agroecological solutions really grasp how dangerous and subversive their ideas are considered to be to the powerful.<br /><br />Whether they know what has been done to peaceful agrarian societies the world over for the danger they represent.Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-25406721051064723762014-02-23T13:54:54.569+00:002014-02-23T13:54:54.569+00:00I don't think there will be a smooth transitio...I don't think there will be a smooth transition from where we are now to that ideal, and idyllic state of existence. yet, things must change, as we lose the resources that underpin current societies and civilization.<br /><br />My fear is that things will begin to unravel, perhaps by an economic crash, and we will find ourselves in a state of martial law. Perhaps this is why the troops are coming home?<br /><br />So, I believe that technology will fail us and we will end up living along the lines of an agroecological approach, but the means for getting there are likely to prove harsh.<br /> Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-17248620744656484732014-02-23T13:49:40.210+00:002014-02-23T13:49:40.210+00:00In the Q&A section much was made of adopting a...In the Q&A section much was made of adopting an agrarian society and using the Isle of Wight to set an example.<br /><br />Good idea in principle, but I shudder at the naivete when I hear them speaking as if it would be ever be allowed by our capitalist parliamentary democracy.<br /><br />It is completely at odds with capitalism, it would be seen as revolutionary, calls for land reform would soon come and would be resisted by force, as is evidenced by all the foreign policy actions undertaken by the US/UK alliance, in South America and South East Asia since WW2. The Contra death squads against the Sandinistas seems an appropriate example.<br /><br />Even if Caroline Lucas were voted PM, and wasn't corrupted, you think they would allow a Socialist Agrarian revolution to take place? There would be a military coup.Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.com