Technology dependant people...

Run4TheHills · Coal Joined: May 20, 2004 Posts: 5

If/when peak oil hits and if we are all forced back to "prehistoric" days with little energy, transport, etc then I would hate to be someone that relies on medication to live.

Organ transplant people and diabetics are reliant on modern society for their very survival... no drugs = no life.

If survival for all becomes a struggle, then even severly handicapped and mentally disabled will have next to no chance.

I would even go as far to say anyone not living in a "normal" climate with a low population density risks competing with the masses.

We talk about peak oil...but what about other things we're mining or using that are being depleated.

Peak copper?

Peak wood?

Europe use to be covered in forests... not so now. What happens when the timber we're exploiting from 3rd Wolrd Countries finally runs out or they realize money is less important than saving the last of their forests?

I understand timer can be farmed but people still like to go for old growth hardwood. Also, after harvesting timer year after year removes all nutrients from the soil so after a while it's unproductive.

I quit my job last year and just decided to live while things are good. Got my own place in the country outright now and are learning to garden and grow my own stuff. Will invest in some large greenhouses so I can grow year round as Winter is a bit nippy and Summer a bit hot. Shocked

uNkNowN ElEmEnt · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 1:16 pm Post subject:

smallpoxgirl · Moderator Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 5718

MikeB · Heavy Crude Joined: Dec 14, 2004 Posts: 211

scarequote:

Ludi · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:38 pm Post subject:

SD_Scott · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 3:02 pm Post subject:

Peak wood? Had it this morning. Very Happy

lotrfan55345 · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 3:43 pm Post subject:

I have glasses too....

and braces. What if theres a sudden crash and I can't get a a professional to get my braces taken off?! That would teh suck.

KiddieKorral · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

Oh dude, that would suck. Good thing it's only hypothetical.
_________________
American by birth, Muslim by choice, Southern by the grace of God!

smallpoxgirl · Moderator Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 5718

mgibbons19 · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Aug 20, 2004 Posts: 1065

Yeah, and that provides you enough metal for another set of frames.

holmes · Fission Joined: Oct 12, 2004 Posts: 2415

destroy nature destroy medicine. I recieved a book, christmas

Healing Secrets of the Native Americans - Porter Shimer

and im looking at the book going you know these farking medicines are farking rare or non existent. The wetlands that harbored many are gone replaced by diseased pasture or denuded land.
You want to cure cancer stop farking polluting. its so simple its stupid.
dont cry to me argentina. If i get it i jknow what its from. the accmulation of heavy metals, dioxins, pesticides lets go on shall we.
grow vegetables, eat them and stay active. Only way coming up imo. land isnt what it used to be.

Evltre · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 4:15 pm Post subject:

This is why one of the most important purchases I'm making is books - lots and lots of books - second hand from garage sales etc. Helps of course that I LOVE reading (hehe - finally have an excuse)!

I've been buying reference for everything from gardening, to basket making, depression era recipies, quilting, canning, herbal medicine, first aid - everything and anything I can find.

I figure even if I don't get a chance to learn before things go bad, having some reference is better than nothing. And if by chance we're saved by some amazing chance - I've got a great collection of books to entertain me!

MikeB · Heavy Crude Joined: Dec 14, 2004 Posts: 211

holmes, lotta what you say is true:

Ludi · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 6:20 pm Post subject:

A significant proportion of our modern medicines are plant based or in emulation of plant chemicals, so it's not really aligning oneself with "medicine men" to want to keep the plant populations intact.

Much of modern health has to do with advances in sanitation, which certainly didn't exist in the age of plagues. Sanitation might well break down if things get bad, certainly it will in cities.

Modern medicine is a wonderful thing, I think many of the most important ideas/discoveries (sterile operating conditions, effective pain medication, and others) will survive a crash. But that's me being an optimist. Very Happy

Evltre · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 6:39 pm Post subject:

I would have to agree with you Ludi