"The Long Emergency: ..." James Howard Kunstler

ashurbanipal

I didn't see Kuntsler as actually supporting the Iraq war. I viewed his comments in the context of an historian discussing something from the point of view of the person or group making a decision. Historical writing employs this device rather frequently. In this case, for instance, when he says:

"But there were other reasons to go to war"

he means:

"To those in charge at the time, despite the controversy, there were other reasons to go to war."

At least, that's how I read it.

I thought the rest of the book was very good; his interpretation of history from the start of the 20th century was quite lucid and absorbing. I don't find his predictions implausible. I would say right now that, with a few exceptional areas such as Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, and New Orleans (pre-Katrina), the Deep South is already a de facto separate entity, albeit one with strong political and economic ties to the rest of the United States. Culturally, it's vastly different from other areas of the country (which, in fairness, are themselves vastly dissimilar).

NugBlazer

This is the best book I've read on Peak Oil. The last chapter is sobering, but true, IMO.
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madrid · Tar Sands Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 40

I read The Long Emergency right when it came out. Before that I had been reading his daily blog at www.kunstler.com for a great deal of time.

Kunstler hates Arabs and Muslims and loves Israel as much as he loves the US. He deplores Muslim fundamentalism and Christian fundamentalism, but he doesn't even notice Jewish fundamentalism. I believe he is a secular Jew, but I wonder what he, a child of the sixties, would think of things like the orthodox Jewish custom of Niddah, by which the male is forbidden from touching his wife for 12 days from the beginning of his wife's menstuation. And if you don't think plenty of people practice such wacky stuff, visit New Jersey or Brooklyn, where I live. I am not defending Christian and Muslim fundamentalists-- just funny how they are the only ones who get such a bad rap.

He basically sees our interests and Israel's interests as one in the same.

I disagree with him very much on this point and I also very much disagree with him on the issue of the war, which he basically supports.

My attitude is that if humans are fundamentally as violent and vicious, as Kunstler sometimes portrays us, then I, along with the rest of the biosphere, will gladly celebrate our extermination from the planet. But I still admire him a huge amount for getting the message out.

PenultimateManStanding

eastbay

My attitude is that if humans are fundamentally as violent and vicious, as Kunstler sometimes portrays us, then I, along with the rest of the biosphere, will gladly celebrate our extermination from the planet.

Madrid,

Yeah, 'if' is your key word here. Of course humans aren't quite that vicious and violent, but can be directed that way by misdirected individuals in positions of power, as we all are well aware. Humans are fundamentally kind and 'good', but when desperation hits human 'good' can be subordinated to basic survival. And humanity has entered desperate times.

Also, it's fairly obvious that Kunstler's apparent support for the Stupid Oil War really boils down to support for Israel by removing a nearby threat. The US military occupation of Iraq has provided the USA with nothing whatsoever... and most know this... so what else could it be?
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Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3103 Location: Maine

The US may have invaded Iraq as a Defensive move, because they were selling oil in euros. We may be stuck with the move now. Why else would the Neocons have made such a stupid move?

We are stuck with it now. The dollar is tanking again. What is their next move? Will they bow to the inevitable? Doubtful.

WorriedInTheCity · Coal Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1

I have never before paid attention to peak oil. "The Long Emergency" terrified me. I came to this site to answer questions. (From ignorant to interested in 3 days time)

I wish those of you with knowledge on Peak Oil would not focus so much on the war (we all have our beliefs.) I hope you will take the opportunity to briefly educate newbies who will be desperate for information. We want to hear if you believe his main points are accurate and where you think he is inaccurate.

I hope to figure out on this site:
1. Is Peak Oil real. It sure seems to be.
2. Are we really running out of natural gas?
3. Is it true that alternative fuel sources like solar/wind/biodiesel/ethanol are not sustainable without the petroleum platform. (The law of thermodynamics sees to make a lot of sense.)
4. What do you think of his predications for the future?

I agree with the author that the globe will have to undergo a painful population contraction to preindustrial population levels. I think being on a farm away from desperate people in a place with rainfall would be the safest bet initially. I disagree with the author about the dangers suburbia and the safety of cities. I think suburbia is better suited for raising food than the concrete cities are.

o2ny

Ladyluck · Coal Joined: Jul 16, 2006 Posts: 2

"The Long Emergency" is why I am on this website. I was in the library looking for Jared Diamond's book Collapse when I saw it. I thought it looked interesting. I couldn't believe that we were so close to peak oil but no one ever said anything. I read more books about peak oil.
I really liked what he said about suburbia being an untenable way of life in the future. I wasn't happy because I live in suburbia. I also live in the Rocky Mountain region which he was not keen on. I think he said that Salt Lake city was one of the most car dependant cities in America. Oh well

lateralus

I have not read this book yet, I'll have to pick it up and give it a read, been meaning to, lazy I guess.

TheDude

I'm at the moment reading This which is a discussion of Kunstler's blog. He's a bit tiresome for me after a while, as some point out (repetitive literary devices); also he has some dubious political leanings/theories/notions; but the Long E is one doozy of a read for someone new to the topic. That and lifeaftertheoilcrash.net will be a real kick in the head for anyone new to the subject.