Thanks George for that personal history. Fascinating. Especially the studies and life-changing outlook post-retirement.

Cheers

If you are reading this then you are reading oil. It's the computer, stupid. I'm constantly amazed how, when oil is mentioned, the discussion immediatly transfers to transport and household energy. Effectively every thing we buy has a high 'oilyness' to it. If not in the direct production (like plastics or food) then in the wrapping or in the machinery that is used to make the stuff. The oil farmers need equipment with a high oil input to harvest the oil seeds etc, etc. Even the so-called (self-delusional) claiming self sufficiency need high oil inputs (ever noticed the amount of metals/plastics you need to be self sufficient. And, hey, you make your own lightglobes?)

I'm not into being alarmist. It won't happen overnight but here's a scenario: you'll be paying $3-$5 a litre for petrol within 10 years, even with a gradual rise in prices. Then, add to that, the higher input prices for manufactured products (it's estimated that it takes 6 barrels of oil to make a car). The effect of that will be a massive shift in purchasing habit. Jobs will be affected but most of all asset prices. The consequence of plentiful, cheap oil has been sustained property prices. If it costs $300+ to fill the family car how many households will have enough left over to satisfy a $500T mortgage. The history of prices over the last 1,000 has seen many major (as in 80-90%) declines in asset prices when different external events (wars, famine, disease) strike. I don't see why 'it will be different this time' when oil prices finally get to market levels that reflect the scarcity of a commodity that is also largely used for manufacturing

Hooray for Kunsler, Brain Fleay and others have been trying to make these problems sexy for more than a decade but Australia can't see anything till its reflected off Uncle Sam (or mother england)s pants, so HK is a necesary prophet and the book a great wakeup text for those still sleeping.

Peak oil/energy descent is the invisible gorilla in the phone booth and its too funny that its a marginal issue on what tries to be a relevant and topical website. There is a desperate need to expose the fatuous optimism of those who've lived very sheltered lives, lest we all see our worst fears fulfilled.

For hard news of what is actually happening on the energy front try energybulletin.net or theoildrum.com, and for what aussies could be doing about it at institutional level see ASPO Australia http://www.aspo-australia.org.au/

Ludwig & George - I think some distributed biofuel production would be wise, for fuel security if nothing else, but obviously we couldn't dream of maintaining current consumption volumes with what ethanol + biodiesel could produce.
The odious 'jew' comment is classic case of preexisting bias tainting discussion, does nothing to help faint hearted progressives focus on what makes their world go round.

--

Realist: "Why worry about something you cannot fix or control?"
What a motto for helplessness! You think it'll be too hard so you wont bother with trying or even thinking about it - thats the spirit that makes lemmings great. Cowards love company, thats why they promote pessimism. We have no choice but to try for sustainability, every other outcome will be worse.

Realist: "How on earth did we get to the moon? no oil needed. "
Such smug and profound ignorance deserves only a quick exit.