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coberst
Preferred Member
Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 465
Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:01 am
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| Three Cheers for $4 Gasoline |
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Three Cheers for $4 Gasoline
Of course you must keep in mind that I am a retired engineer, living in the Smoky Mountains, who drives 10 miles to town once a week for groceries; these facts make it possible for me to develop a Solomon like understanding of reality from an Archimedean point of view.
Quickie from Wiki—“An Archimedean point is a hypothetical vantage point from which an observer can objectively perceive the subject of inquiry, with a view of totality. The ideal of "removing oneself" from the object of study so that one can see it in relation to all other things, but remain independent of them, is described by a view from an Archimedean point.”
Does $4 gas signify the beginning of the ending of a civilization of adolescent life styles divorced from the reality principle? Does it presage the beginning of the ending of a self-absorbed and largely fictional pattern of social behavior?
I doubt it but I can dream can’t I?
This morning I listened to NPR interviewing the mayor of Houston Texas speaking about anticipated efforts for completely remodeling the living and cultural standards of the citizens of Houston in anticipation of creating a city where citizens might work, shop, and live within walking distances of shops, supermarkets, and jobs.
Reality seldom challenges salient points of hero-systems largely because the earth has been so bountiful; natural bounty has thus far allowed Americans to live largely in a world of playful fantasy that may be beginning to crumble around a commercial-military hero-system of fantasy.
Socrates was sentenced to death by hemlock because he tried to awaken the youth of Athenian society to this very reality-principle; he died a hero in the eyes of history because he asked the youth to question their own hero-system.
Will $4 gas lead you to question your own commercial-military hero-system? |
Michael Lank
Super Member
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
Posts: 5791
Location: Lewes, UK
Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:11 am
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In the UK we pay the equivalent of $8.94 per US gallon for petrol, it has not led to any radical changes in lifestyles here, so I doubt the $4 gasoline will in the US. |
spiritual_emergency
Preferred Member
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 379
Location: The place where "X" marks the spot.
Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:47 am
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coberst: This morning I listened to NPR interviewing the mayor of Houston Texas speaking about anticipated efforts for completely remodeling the living and cultural standards of the citizens of Houston in anticipation of creating a city where citizens might work, shop, and live within walking distances of shops, supermarkets, and jobs.
Funny. I was just having a conversation with one of my favorite people from the "younger generation". I shared with that individual that I think their generation is going to blow the doors off some of our boxes. There's much we can learn from their vision. It's a troublesome and still, very exciting time to live in.
Music of the Hour: The Reverse Graffiti Project
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JAKJRF
Senior Member
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 1693
Location: USA
Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:50 am
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| come down from the mountain |
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Thanks for that input Michael Lank. That is my observation here in America; people here are simply adjusting. And in fact, prices of most everything are climbing where the manufactures are pulling the price per gallon tag. For example one Catsup maker raised the price of their brand and now reports record profits. And note the US oil companies are now posting the greatest profits in history. Store items are getting more expensive and most have said thank you and continue buying. The price of store items did not even dent our commercial-military hero-system of fantasy.
There are other models… We in the US have seen the price of housing sky-rocket. The average new home where I live is just under $500 thousand US and there are lots of them; new construction continues, even after the housing crash. My point is that up until that crash, people were just buying, convincing themselves they need thousands of square footage that they will rarely visit, filling these oversized houses with expensive furniture that no one will sit in, and on and on. It is funny to see the garages around here; people have them stuffed with stuff. And a big booming business in this country is storage facilities where you rent a garage size area and stuff with stuff; 4 in this area. The price of housing did not deter people from buying stuff and a place to put that stuff. The price of housing did not even dent our commercial-military hero-system of fantasy.
I am forever suspicious of political leaders calling for plans to build; these are most always plans for re-election and for those lame ducks perhaps a way to score points for their mark on history. The US model is great, why buy one when you can buy two at twice the price. Do see some rushing to buy smaller cars with much larger payments; the total savings is a big minus. One friend who worried so about peak oil now owns a hybrid car, SUV, motorcycle, new home; net savings minus and now takes regular vacations and drives much further simply for recreation thinking he gets better gas milage. And within driving distance is a recreational vehicle dealership; one of the largest, that sells what could be described as houses on wheels. Reports are that the recreational areas for these types of vehicles are this year running 25% over last year for attendance. People have adjusted to the cost of gas, understand that that cost is feeding the highest profits in history, and allow for cost of everything to rise; in other words, it is what it is, and does not even dent our commercial-military hero-system of fantasy.
Cobert, come down from your Mountain. |
spiritual_emergency
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Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 379
Location: The place where "X" marks the spot.
Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:16 pm
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JAKJRF: People have adjusted to the cost of gas, understand that that cost is feeding the highest profits in history, and allow for cost of everything to rise; in other words, it is what it is, and does not even dent our commercial-military hero-system of fantasy.
I would agree that most have adjusted but I think this is a temporary, short-term adjustment. Where we're going to see the most adjustment is over the long-term. This is especially true for the up-and-coming generation who -- among other things -- don't want to invest in a starter home that runs a cool half-million.
Many kids these days are staying at home longer; they simply can't afford to leave mom and dad's place and strike out on their own. As a result, it might be premature to start feeling guilty over any unused square footage in your home because I think we're going to start seeing homes that are housing two to three generations and the space will be put to good use in the future.
With more bodies in the same home, we might also start seeing adults staying at home to raise children once more because the cost of daycare is becoming prohibitive. With more adults home through the day again we might also see a renewal of agricultural roots; the family garden will once more become a valued commodity along with open trade among neighbors. With this necessity of shared trade, will come a return of shared communal spaces and values -- real communities where real people have to interact with one another, not just park in their garage and retire behind the stone facsmile facade of their McMansion.
Will we see this among the older generation? No, because many of them have had a lifetime to accumulate wealth or at least, the possibility of extensive credit -- they're the ones who won't give up on their "American Dream" of ownership. But the young people, they can't afford to carry on with that lifestyle and many of them don't want it even if they could. They don't have the same work ethic or identify with the same set of values as their parents and grandparents. There's been a shift and with that shift will come a new way of living that's quite likely, based on some old ways of living. We're not going to see that tomorrow though. We're going to see it ten, fifteen, twenty years down the road...
Therefore, stay on your mountain coberst, but take notes and share them widely because most of us have forgotten how to live without being plugged into the fantasy.
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JAKJRF
Senior Member
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 1693
Location: USA
Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:51 pm
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| bread at 2 dollars a loaf |
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It is interesting, I think, to project into the future and we have discussed these projections many times here. We see strong evidence of extinctions in both animals and plants, commercial genetically engineered crops replacing virtually all natural varieties, world food crops hit with disease, national populations of people aging out where 60 to 80 percent of the population is hitting the over 60 mark due to previous birth control policies, oil costs profiteering where the cost of oil is more about non-oil users but about investors, monetary policy, currency exchange, European union growing where previous national sovereignty is replaced with one government systems, war at every hat drop, non-state terrorism, human disease evolving to the uncontrollable, genetic engineering of DNA which may release the bomb greater than all the previous atomic bombs, tapping into new energy sources like geothermal and hydrogen and solar. I tell you that the variables are far too many to see with eyes at the top of the mountain.
And for these large houses, my vary point is that families in these houses have so few children that even this nation is heading towards aging out. And history teaches us that we have and will tear down a community of a thousand families in one building and replace it with a single pretty house. We humans may play like we care for the community but will as soon replace it than look at its eye sore. China’s recent disasters killed thousands upon thousands and the games go on.
You can wait 5, 10 or 20 years for what... One rock from the heavens, a dozen earth quakes, the eruption of Yellow Stone Park, weather pattern shifts and on and on; the hand of nature will change every plan; and these changes are instant. A one world government will as easily fit and carry on commercial-military hero-system of fantasy. This is why a single eye has little value predicting the future; it sees a pattern and ignores too much.
The price of bread has risen from 5 cents a loaf to 2 dollars and we still eat. When I was in high school we paid 25 cents a gallon for gasoline, now 4 dollars and we still drive. The current gasoline price increases only hasten government intervention into the markets that create these high prices and hasten the replacement of this pricey energy source.
Last edited by JAKJRF on Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
spiritual_emergency
Preferred Member
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 379
Location: The place where "X" marks the spot.
Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:53 pm
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A few examples of the up-and-coming generational mindset...
- I came across this fellow a few years ago and I like his style. One of my favorite essays is titled, How to Drop Out but they're all worthy of a read: Ran Prieur
- This guy lives in a home the size of small walk-in closet. What's more, he's founded a company building tiny homes for other people who just want a roof over their head: Jay Shafer & Tumblewood Homes
- A home built by a 17 year-old girl who "saved her own money and worked alone and with friends": Heather's House
Yep. Interesting times to be sure. I think I'm going to have to buy me a bicycle. With a big basket up front and fat tires. And also, a fishing rod. I've heard that if I learn how to fish, I can feed myself for life.
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JAKJRF
Senior Member
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 1693
Location: USA
Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:58 pm
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I don’t see these single acts as anything different from the past. There have been, in past generations, great movements to change the future and here we are. The price of gasoline is not the catalyst coberst hopes for. |
spiritual_emergency
Preferred Member
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 379
Location: The place where "X" marks the spot.
Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:10 pm
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JAKJRF: There have been, in past generations, great movements to change the future and here we are.
There's always the risk that the world's going to hell in a handbasket but the world is going to keep on doing it's thing and so will humanity. I don't have the power to stop the commercial-military hero-system of fantasy although I do struggle to understand it and it's possible, with a few adjustments I could at least, feed the beast less. I may get that bicyle and fishing rod just in time to have it all meltdown in a nuclear catastrophre but what's a body to do -- stop breathing?
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JAKJRF
Senior Member
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 1693
Location: USA
Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:50 pm
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| until the next chapter |
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My occasional jumping into coberst threads is to vocalize my frustration with those in high intellect societies and groups, who by the power of their intellect, rather, in my opinion, by the power of their pride, claim to guide us to a new and better place; thinking often becomes an end in itself.
Do know that there is a writing that says; ‘In the end times men’s hearts will fail them for fear’ and likely that phrase has found its way to fortune cookies and horoscopes; really kind of obvious isn’t it, that whole “end of time” thing, reeks of anxiety.
I for one applaud your optimistic outlook and frankly I’d join you on the bike, for sure I have one, and agree we need to be healthy and happy until the next chapter.
Good be with you. |
spiritual_emergency
Preferred Member
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 379
Location: The place where "X" marks the spot.
Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:07 pm
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quote:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in the sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
Y.B. Yeats
JAKJRF: ‘In the end times men’s hearts will fail them for fear’
There's a lot of talk about that these days -- 'the end times'. And in such times, yes, we do look to visionaries and leaders who can instruct us in new ways of living. I do agree with coberst's essential point -- the cost of gasoline (and corn, and housing, and the military war machine) are going to change the way we live upon the earth because as we all know deep down, we can't afford it -- it's an illusion that's ultimately going to collapse and is, in fact, in the process of cracking as we speak.
I’d join you on the bike...
You could ride in the basket and hold the fishing rod. 
See also:
- Archetype of the Apocalypse - Edward Edinger
- When the Dream Becomes Real: The Inner Apocalypse in Mythology, Madness and the Future
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