Comments on: Book Review: Peak Everything

By: Johanna

Johanna — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:39:24 +0000

I found the book very disapointing. A hodgepodge of disparate essays. What the heck was that parrot chapter about? I enjoyed that film also, but what has it got to do with peak everything? His aethetic judgements are very dubious. I love “Arts and Crafts” designs too, but there is no reason to think that the products of a return to handcrafts would look anything like them. They were a revolt from industrial design, but they were the products of a late 19, early 20th century, elite, culture. A return to handcrafts would at first produce strictly utilitarian objects. As people develop more skill and have more leisure, their creations are just as likely to be colorful and ornate as spare and elegant. Think Bombay busses, think New York City graffiti, we’re talking popular art here. It is quite likely not to be the kind of refined taste that appeals to Mr. Heinberg.

By: Gerda

Gerda — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:43:15 +0000

May i refer everyone back to the original ‘peak everything’ study i.e. ‘Limits to Growth’ by Meadows et al. and particularly the ’30 year update’ published 2004. these pioneers were rubbished and ignored by the scientific community but their predictions have proved disturbingly accurate to date. Also, for a powerful systems tool check out ‘twelve leverage points’ by Donella Meadows. Good site folks- i found it through a picture of cob nuts

By: Econdemocracy

Econdemocracy — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 01:56:52 +0000

The risk of the common good being the first casualty is very real, and on that I agree with Steve. The reason is not the extent to which we have functioning democracy…it is precisely the fact that our democracy is so limited, so superficial, so weak against the special interests (the numerically small and financially and politically powerful elite), THAT is the reason. We need not less democracy, but more (including Better) demcoracy.

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 13:55:29 +0000

What is the future of democracy? Heinberg hits the nail on the head. Will politicians, whose major goal is to get reelected, ever have the courage to tell us the truth? Or will they hope that it all stays together till they are long gone. What was it one of the French monarchs said, “apres moi, le delage.” Democracy by its very nature is compomise. With all the special interests at the table, we can guarantee that the common good will be the first casualty. Have no fear, we will find scapegoats for all this. It’s long past the time for us to take responsibilty for our actions, but with a society and government that proclaims we’re the victims, and that society has failed us, there is little chance of that. All that we can hpe is that some of what Heinberg and others are saying will stick.

By: mike

mike — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 03:50:41 +0000

"what we need is for women to start desiring men who (I paraphrase here) ‘grow their own veg and live in mud houses’."

Women have always valued men who are relatively good providers... when economic circumstances advantage farmers, a farmer will look like a good reproductive partner/husband.... a safe bet for baby making and child rearing.

By: Sonya

Sonya — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:05:28 +0000

I’ve got copies on order (here in Australia). I found his Powerdown and Oil Depletion Protocol books to be very useful in designing courses to address peak oil. Can’t wait to read his latest. Thanks for the review.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:33:14 +0000

Thanks Graham – excellent review which fortunately saves me having to start my second peak oil book. I have huge respect and admiration for Richard and enjoy reading his museletter. But a whole book… stating (for me) the obvious – again!

I liked the comment in the blog post you linked to the other day that said what we need is for women to start desiring men who (I paraphrase here) ‘grow their own veg and live in mud houses’. I totally agree and without TV and some semi-enlightened parents it won’t be hard. Fionnuala who is 10 said yesterday “when can we move to the country so we can grow more food and stop going to the shops so often.”

By: Graham

Graham — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:56:39 +0000

Well I guess many feel that going on about Peak Oil is all very negative and doom-mongering, so strictly speaking I mean “the acceptable face of peak oil doomerism” in that as I say in the review, Heinberg is not afraid of bringing the hard message but does so in a more palatable way than some- (not mentioning any names…)

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:50:34 +0000

“The acceptable face of peak oil?” Is there an unacceptable one, and who might that be?!! I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into this, a little Heinberg goes a long way… Rob