steps forward and backward
During the last two centuries we have known nothing but exponential growth and in parallel we have evolved what amounts to an exponential-growth culture, a culture so heavily dependent upon the continuance of exponential growth for its stability that it is incapable of reckoning with problems of nongrowth.
-- M. King Hubbert, "Exponential Growth as a Transient Phenomenon in Human History", 1976. (found at Hubbert peak theory on Wikipedia)
I think we will discover (probably painfully) that globalism was a set of transient economic relations made possible by a half century of cheap oil and relative peace between the great powers, and that enterprises that rely on these transient mechanisms -- such Wal-Mart, with its 12,000-mile merchandise supply chain to China, and its "warehouse on wheels" of tractor-trailor trucks circulating incessantly on America's interstate highways -- will be on their knees in a few years as we enter the export crisis phase of post-peak terminal oil depletion and the great powers of the world act with increasing desperation to compete over the remaining supplies.
-- Jim Kunstler, Blowing Green Smoke (Clusterfuck Nation)
comments
Parris Glendening wrote: "For the first time, more impoverished Americans reside in the suburbs than in all of our cities combined. Unlike the cities they surround, many of these older suburbs don't have access to adequate public transportation, lying just out of reach of bus lines or rail lines. Many are in dire need of infrastructure upgrades to replace crumbling school buildings, roads, or even basic amenities like sidewalks or crosswalks." http://www.planetizen.com/node/23964 Seems as if the prediction in "End of Suburbia" is fast becoming a reality. I believe it was something about McMansions becoming mulit-family dwellings, the new slums etc. . .
Nice photo!
-- Jenita (May 6, 2007 10:18 PM)
Where did you take this photo?? At the glass recycler on West 3rd? I love it.
-- lmcshane (May 10, 2007 9:29 PM)
Laura: yes, that's the place! Right here -- (Flickr allows photos to be placed on a map.)
I took it during the Twilight Hike through the Natural Flats with Don Harvey.
There're some amazing piles down there.
-- jeffschuler (May 11, 2007 9:29 AM)