Thoughts on Christmas Eve...

Christmas has brought on a couple different perspectives for me wrt the end of cheap energy:

- I'm sure there are people out there who think to themselves, "what do I get for (insert name here) who is 'into' PO?" And they come up with ideas like battery-less flashlights and what-not. But the funny thing is that probably the most important thing is not to consume more, but to consume less. So how do you get something for someone who wants to live and thrive on less? Do you just get them nothing? But on the other hand, practically speaking, aren't there a TON of things we'll really need - like battery-less flashlights? How do you deal with these two conflicting perspectives?

- Maybe it's the hidden optimist in me that's brought out around Christmas time, but I can't help but feel if people were more aware of PO that panic would not ensue, but rather a large collective effort to prepare (after a round or two of denial of course). If one really buys this hopeful viewpoint, shouldn't preparation be all about making people aware, at least those in your own community? If you think about the monumental money and effort that is put into Christmas, you have to think there's at least a chance to make it past PO with a reasonable future (assuming dealing with PO also addresses global warming). Life may not be as good or as easy as it is now, but it needn't be anarchy.

- Christmas also reminds me of all these damned evangelicals talking about the 2nd coming, with the implicit message, "Don't worry about racking up credit card debt, the environment, the future - Jesus is going to come and save us God-fearin' folk and stick it to all you godless bastards!" Many if not most of the top brass in the ruling Christian party feel the same way. Makes me want to vomit.

Well I can't end on thoughts of vomit - how about this: If we all wish really really hard, PO will happen a long time from now and we'll have a very easy transition past peak. And global warming won't make the earth inhabitable by the time our children are old. Hooray!