Reflecting on the End of the World As We Know It

Peak Moment 159: Taped in late 2005 before Peak Moment Television began, this conversation feels eerily prescient about the effects of the 2008 financial collapse. William Stewart reflects on the shadow side of the fossil fuel bonanza, which enabled hyper-individualism and mobility that have shredded our connections to community and place, along with increased violence and dysfunction. Likening our oil-dependent culture to an addict who must first bottom out, he suggests there may be a silken lining after collapse: the possibility of more communal and connected ways of life.

The text William reads at the ending is "Handy tips on how to behave at the death of the world" by Anne Herbert, also known for her notion to "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty." The full text can be found at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1510/is_n85/ai_16816244/

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• peak oil
• addiction
• culture
• community

[jberg411]

I have long enjoyed your Peak Moment Series. But this video seems to be far fetched with his thoughts. I hope the quality of this series does not continue with this level of programming.

[peakmoment]

Not everybody agrees with everything our guests consider. My intention is to share different perspectives, mostly from people who've given some thought to the predicament we're in. We also have guests with practical projects in their lives and communities.

This conversation was taped before we started Peak Moment TV -- so you might say it was pre-Peak Moment.

I'm interested to know what seems far-fetched to you. I value your thoughts, either as a public comment or private message. ~ Janaia

[jfrogto]

5 stars, of course :-))

And i would give a 6th star, if i could get the text of the paper which William Stewart read at the end.

Greetings from germany

[peakmoment]

William read, "Handy tips on how to behave at the death of the world" by Anne Herbert, also known for "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty." Search for her in wikipedia - the link to this text is there.

6 stars? :-)

[wreckerpecker]

Gotta change the intro to "falling temperatures" lol

[peakmoment]

Yeah, we should change it to "increasing climate chaos" because that's more accurate to what's really happening.

[mythic89]

Where do these damn HIPPIES come from ?? OIL is good and by god I am gonna use all I can and this guy is a major QUEER !!!

[jrcowles86]

@jrcowles86 "Anyone"... sorry

[jrcowles86]

I would be shocked if this man hasn't read Heidegger. His commentary is very similar to Heidegger's critique of technology and the "technological way of being."

Anyonwe who is aware of our "power down" future should read Martin Heidegger's essay, "The Question Concerning Technology." It should be considered essential reading.

[fragged131]

See this is what I don't get.

Communism is a natural thing that occurs neurotypically on the social level, not on the authority level. There have always been outcasts in "tribes" or whatever vaguely pretentious word you want to call it. You don't bring a community into fruition through authority, or guilt, or ideology. You bring it from self interest. If your interest is in the community then it is still YOUR self interest because you do it to make yourself feel good.

Individualism is freedom.

[itisaduck]

I agree in one way. We need to plant, grow. We need to understand we are all tribe together under basic moral law of do unto others. We also each need a firearm to impress this to the evil among us but this drive against, Gas, oil, coal, harvesting of wood, etc., is more a plot than a protection of the garden as gardeners of the earth. This love front is a cover for social engineering and dictatorship. For example, In California we have more trees than any other time in history. Forests in City

[itisaduck]

We may be forced back to group, tribe, and away from the "American Way" which is individualism. Tribe will mean us and them and thus they are less and we are more so war to take from them. I have native blood , family, tribe life was us and them. We are "The Humans" and they are the low dogs to be used, invade, take, kill, enslave. 500 tribes NO!. One Tribe, The United States of America. Individuals collectively trading within the framework of law. I am not native American but American period!

[itisaduck]

The "evil oil" idea is ultimately a Socialist idea due to frustration with the success of capitalism. Get them to abandon oil and we will out produce them and force them into our BETTER idea of World. The world is always changing. The discovery of oil went a long way to saving whales for example and gives people a cheap source of energy. Energy sorts will change according to cost. There is no increase in depression in the west due to Oil. Tribe, groups have meant battles and death.

[KatchKatrine]

Totally agree with the coming need to renew our sense of community. We will be fine if we just accept the idea of needing our neighbors again. Then hopefully, we can behave in a way that is more human, empathetic, and hospitable. Good observations.

[jfrogto]

I found it!

Of course: 6 stars!!! :-)

[lionstar111]

Looking at the problem with the same level of consciousness produces a very negative message. There is 'enough' for everyone---the limiting mindset is part of the current paradigm and manipulated by those who control resources. As far as recognizing our collective shadow---we simply need to recognize it--thats it. This is a very negative limiting message. Focusing on how it can't work---will produce exactly that.