The Long Emergency

[Pariah]

I'm in the middle of reading this book on peak oil by James Kunstler. Has anyone else read it? It seems a bit alarmist to me, though I think he has a good point in general. I would love to hear opinions from people who have read this already.

[MountainLaurel]

I haven't read it yet, but I own it and definitely need to get to it soon.

[Elastagirl]

LOL! My cousin gave this book to everyone in the family for Christmas two years ago! I doubt that any of my right-wing Republican relatives read it, but dh and I did and had some very serious discussions about it.

We both agreed that the scenarios painted in the book are quite possible but that it is a little extremist as far as the timeline portrayed or how seriously bad things will get. Some of the ideas are starting to play out what with people literally not being able to afford gas to get to work or continue their lives "as usual," but dh contends that "All of the technology to rely less on oil already exists. The Oil companies just won't release it until they've made their very last penny!" --yeah, he can be a little cynical like that!

Darn! Don't know where my copy is right now...

Anyway, it did lead us to make a few (small) changes in our lives that people should probably do anyway as far as conserving energy, planting a vegetable garden, and supporting our local businesses -- especially agriculture.

I thought it was a fascinating -- and certainly frightening -- read!

[Pariah]

Elastagirl, it is funny that you say that about your relatives... I was recently out of town visiting our relatives, and my extremely conservative Republican/fundamentalist Christian FIL flipped through my copy and actually went out and bought one of his own, he liked it so much. That definitely took me by surprise, and I'll savor any moment where he and I actually agree on something.

I feel the same way as your DH.

[A&A]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=902844