Rapture Nation
Why can't I just happy up and believe in magic, like millions of my fellow citizens? Just wish, and envision, and Star Magic will envelop you in a shroud of unlimited abundance! Come on, now, envision! Engender endless possibilities! "Critical thinking" and "factual analysis" are just euphemisms for "negativity," Pissy Missy!
Hey, I don't want to rule out the possibility of more technological magic bullets down the road to save us from a variety of difficulties...but the need for technical innovation will intensify, and soon.
I've long been interested in the work of James Howard Kunstler, who is an expert on American urban history. My friend Mike Monaco gave me his book "The Geography of Nowhere" more than ten years ago, and I still go back to it from time to time. Kunstler scathingly critiques suburban American culture-- primarily for its unsustainable dependence on a cheap energy economy.
I HIGHLY recommend his web site: www.kunstler.com. One of its best features, in my opinion, is his blog, known as the "Clusterfuck Nation Chronicle." SF Gate columnist Mark Morford (www.sfgate.com/columnists/morford/) provided a link in his column today to a Kunstler article in Rolling Stone which talks about America's future without a ready supply of cheap oil. It's sooner than you think.
As depressing as Kunstler's assessment is, it could serve as a massive wake-up call to plan for a future requiring a major reallocation of resources AWAY from the futility of a sprawl-based economy.
In other news, I'm happy about my Denver Nuggets winning 23 of their last 25 games and clinching a playoff spot. It was looking bleak three months ago. My vote for George Karl as NBA Coach of the Year, despite only coaching the Nuggets for half the season. The only team that scares me in the Western Conference is the Phoenix Suns. The Spurs will be tough as well, but I think the Nuggets could make a deep run in the playoffs.
For right now, I'm off to dream of transit villages, a revitalized passenger rail system, and a more community-based America.
Hey, I don't want to rule out the possibility of more technological magic bullets down the road to save us from a variety of difficulties...but the need for technical innovation will intensify, and soon.
I've long been interested in the work of James Howard Kunstler, who is an expert on American urban history. My friend Mike Monaco gave me his book "The Geography of Nowhere" more than ten years ago, and I still go back to it from time to time. Kunstler scathingly critiques suburban American culture-- primarily for its unsustainable dependence on a cheap energy economy.
I HIGHLY recommend his web site: www.kunstler.com. One of its best features, in my opinion, is his blog, known as the "Clusterfuck Nation Chronicle." SF Gate columnist Mark Morford (www.sfgate.com/columnists/morford/) provided a link in his column today to a Kunstler article in Rolling Stone which talks about America's future without a ready supply of cheap oil. It's sooner than you think.
As depressing as Kunstler's assessment is, it could serve as a massive wake-up call to plan for a future requiring a major reallocation of resources AWAY from the futility of a sprawl-based economy.
In other news, I'm happy about my Denver Nuggets winning 23 of their last 25 games and clinching a playoff spot. It was looking bleak three months ago. My vote for George Karl as NBA Coach of the Year, despite only coaching the Nuggets for half the season. The only team that scares me in the Western Conference is the Phoenix Suns. The Spurs will be tough as well, but I think the Nuggets could make a deep run in the playoffs.
For right now, I'm off to dream of transit villages, a revitalized passenger rail system, and a more community-based America.
posted by Tom (a.k.a. "G-Man") at 9:14 PM
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