Here comes a link to a nice essay published by The Guardian this week. Although I disagree on some of the ideas put forward by the author, it is a good reminder of the impending energy crisis the world will face.
It makes me think that I am 26, but when I'm 40 I'll probably be paying 10 dollars a liter of gasoline. And that when I'm 64 I wouldn't "be happy mending a fuse" liek in the Beatles song; I'd be trying to understand how to get energy for my living, just like beduins hunt for improbable sources of water and food. Or like Mad Max.
Anyway, my major disagreement with the author is that I am still a believer in capitalism as a system, and that's in spite of my acknowledgement of its many flaws (such as the frenzy quest for shareholder value no matter what), mostly because I think socialism would never work. I think it is against human nature. Socialism would work if people had no ambition. And we all know it is not true. Even among Japanese people you find ambitious fellows - enough to disrupt a purely socialist system.
Let it be said I am not particularly against centrally planned economies (now that I mentioned Japan...) but more to the forced equality that gives exactly the same amount of food and land to everyone. Theoretically I think people should be given capital in proportion to their willingness to work - so entrepreneurs and workaholics would have a benefit over bums - but everyone should have a CHOICE of being a workaholic or a bum. Or, most likely, (and healthier for all) become something in between.
Ok, that was a major digression, but as you may as well know that is my style. So finally here comes the link, it is a great essay, enjoy.
It's capitalism or a habitable planet - you can't have both
Our economic system is unsustainable by its very nature. The only response to climate chaos and peak oil is major social change
by Robert Newman
The Guardian
Feb 2, 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/oil/story/0,,1700300,00.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment