The angle I prefer to take on all of this there are many, many scenarios. My sense is in the event of a sharp jolt, folks have pulled together after most major disasters. The point in my eyes is to folks on what we have in front of us and develop our metro area as a model for other cities, the last thing we need is to have everyone try and move here.

Hi Wanderingsalmon,

What if you're a camouflage-clad Survivalist, you own the Director's Cut of Escape From New York (an AWESOME piece of dystopic fiction BTW, because guess what? We're now living in what John Carpenter envisioned), along with weapons and a good dual-purpose military motorcycle and other survival-related technologies, and you hope  somebody has some good stuff to smoke in the woods while civilization implodes?

I'll be the first to admit that WE DON'T know how this will exactly play out. With an out to lunch society (BTW, IT'S TOO LATE! THE NFL/NASCAR CROWD IS A WASTE OF TIME! LET'S FOCUS ON HELPING EACH OTHER!) and a military focusing on consolidating Africa, we could be living just like we are now in 20 years, with a few billion people dead, everywhere else on the planet, with those left alive hating us even more (i.e., Rome before being sacked). Or, it could be worse, in our case.

I think that mutually cooperative collectives as you describe are a great idea. During the transition, however, just be prepared to do your farming with a rifle slung across your back (I've seen some unnerving posts to discussion boards among yahoos who plan to "go shopping", because they found-out about a group that doesn't believe in weapons...)

 Jerry

PS: My favorite piece of fiction is still Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower, set in 2025-30. Gripping in its predictive analysis, based on current trends (and it was written in 1993!)

I attended the Peak Oil Conference in Ohio last fall. Most of the talks said more or less what you are saying. If you and about 20 others can agree to "head in the same direction" then we (together) can develop an energy independent food growing complex that can supply adequate food for over 1,000 people.

HLB

I feel there are quite a few who share the desire for a cooperative community in Oregon/Washington. It seems the most logical location would add to an existing town of a thousand or so with its infrastructure and cultural framework. Close to rail would be good. Close to a major freeway, maybe not. This is a great part of the country for agriculture and there is serious elbow room. Water supply is good. We're level with Duluth, but the Winter here is more like D.C.

As one who has lived the solo-back-to-the-land thing for 7 years (starting on 44 acres woods/farmland, no buildings) and enjoyed many aspects of it tremendously, plus having done lots of reading, talking and listening to many people on this, here's what I've come to believe:

It is hard for the average person, even one who really tries, to get a good grasp on the whole "problem" of peak oil/climate change/economic meltdown and other predicted catastrophes, all the "solutions" being offered, all the philosophies and scenarios concerning the future of society and civilization. . . It's a constantly evolving and maturing area of thought.

We all need to first learn as much as we can and not lock ourselves early on into any one philosophy. Keep thinking outside the box and listen to the ideas of others who do also.

Keep your options open and dont get too committed to one "lifestyle." Given that things will change at an increasing pace (I think that is one assumption most of us agree on), embrace the idea of living in a very dynamic situation and be somewhat able to make adjustments and question assumptions. Think ahead a little but dont panic and rely totally on your food stash for instance. Or guns or gold or a hideaway in the hills . . . Each of those approaches has serious downsides worth consideration (i.e., isolation of one type or another).

Bringing others up to speed on what's really going on is the best key to our survival, and just as importantly in my book, ensuring society is livable. There is an awful lot I like about urban living as well as backwoods living. And the best way I see to achieve as soft a landing as possible (which I think is achievable, my current assumption) is to localize as much as possible.

When you tell people there's a problem, they'd like to hear your plan to how they can help fix it. Localization is something everyone can identify with and immediately participate in. It is THE KEY to ensuring survival of urban centers and maintaining a quality of life (including outlying rural as well, essential partners). Im glad this is a major focus of Portland Peak Oil.

I need to wrap up this ramble. Most importantly is to enjoy what we have right now as much as we can. I mean the cultural and social aspects of current living, particularly the rich urban experiences available, cheap travel, abundant good local food. . . Enjoy life right now.

And realize any of you reading this are members of a particularly priveleged class. We we who have the time and resources can plan and create our future. But the underclass is being largely left out of the conversation. For instance, we will shortly face extreme crisis in housing shortages like we saw after Katrina which will affect mostly those with few resources. I'm suggesting that those most on the edge, less educated, dont see this coming at all, the most vulnerable, are going to be hit first and hardest. Im not suggesting a moral obligation, only bringing up an aspect that we need to consider in a practical sense.

Bringing everyone on board from all walks of life into a "localize" mentality i would suggest as an overarching "mission."