individual,

What incomprehensible misery?.....where is the incomprehensible misery.....?

Whingey-whiny Westerners tend to exaggerate their irritations into much greater woes.

Poirot,
my I suggest you live up to your name ?

individual,

Perhaps it's a case of your descriptive powers being a little over the top.

Incomprehensible misery was something I saw as the Japanese tsunami unfolded. Incomprehensible misery was written on the faces of the people of Gaza as the Israeli bombs rained down. Incomprehensible misery is etched in the faces of those dying of starvation in east Africa......that is incomprehensible misery.

A few times I have made remarks about the relationship between energy and GDP.
An article has been written Gail Tverberg on just this subject.
I think it will help everyones understanding of what is going on
in Europe, the US and China.

http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2011-11-22/it-really-possible-decouple-gdp-growth-energy-growth

In effect, we are completely dependant on increases in natural gas to
cover our present GDP and any growth we may desire as existing energy has peaked.

Misery Indy is as Poirot says, I have seen true misery here in this country.
But heard of true hopeless misery in places we go to play Bali and Fiji for a start.
I see no benefit for anyone, in others misery.
I recommend, as one of life greatest joys, helping some one in need true need.
It can be more joy than any thing.
I too fear war, I think our growth,and especially our financial problems, world ones, may lead to wars.
Bazz yes we are close to that but gas is just truly starting.
And in truth did we even know about the uses coal seam gas could be put to 50 years ago.
This I know, every year, less, solar power gets more efficient and cheaper who knows how good it can become?

Belly, the real question becomes;

"Can we transition to natural gas faster than oil and coal depletes ?".

I suspect that we will not have the financial resources to undertake the massive infrastructure rebuilding fast enough.