We have some Germans here. They're always complaining about everything. Does that mean they're unhappy?

yes and no
Immediately after PO there will be some countries that will do a smarter job of transitioning to a lower energy state.
Therefore, yes, it is possible to come out ahead of some other idiot who failed to plan properly.
but......
In the distant future, the ultimate end result will be a steady state economy. In this system every resource that can be used will have already been utilized and currently in the ownership of somebody, presumably a rich man. I don't think this rich man will be in any hurry to sell his real estate property.
Basically I'm getting an image of Medieval Europe but with more advanced technology. There was very little "social mobility" in such an environment.
Everybody will get born in a certain "social-economic class level" and stay that way till they die.
That's my vision of a post peak oil world.

When I said there will be a steady state economy I meant the ultimate end result of PO.
Of course there will be a declining economy immediately after PO. After awhile it will stabilize. Exactly how far down or what time frame is any body's guess.

I was going to put Germany on my list of
"places to visit before you die."
I might have to rethink that.

Yeah, a lot of people seem to like the feudalism thing for some reason.

That'll never happen here in the US of A, that's for sure. Too many guns. Too many people willing to die as opposed to being made a slave toiling the fields. Unlike the feudal lords of old, the rich of today are just too exposed to the infuriated "new poor" to survive for long.

The only kind of world we're going to have after the collapse is one in which nearly everyone is poor or at least pretending to be poor...LOL. And that's how it should be, in my opinion. Then maybe we can all get along for once.

Never say, "never!" In my experience, "never" is a very long time, and anything could happen.

"Too many guns" means enough guns for people to hire guns.

I've never understood how anyone could think guns solve the money inequity problem. If anything, it amplifies it. Why do people think rich people can't shoot? Take Dick Chaney (please!), for example. His "paycheck slave" even apologized for having the bad grace to get shot by him!

Here's the situation. You're hungry. Your family is hungry. You have a gun. You can a) keep your gun hidden and slave away for some rich dude, knowing that if he gets too uppity, you'll off him, or b) you can use your gun to take food from someone else who has food knowing that someone with a bigger gun, or more ammunition, or more guns, will most likely take your food away, or c) you can find a rich dude who will feed and house you in a better-than-average manner in exchange for your using your gun to keep other people with guns from taking his food away.

In "a," you're merely a serf with aspirations. In "b," you're just a criminal. In "c," you're gainfully employed. Why do you think the US can get away with being the world's bully via an all-volunteer military?

(BTW: arms sales are up 40% in the US. People are getting ready for something, even if they're not quite sure what!)

It seems to me that most people have made themselves slaves already -- slave to a paycheck.

The key to being a feudal lord is not to have people suffering, but to make sure they have just enough to say, "It could be worse!" That seems to be what capitalism is all about.

Unlike the serfs of old, the paycheck slaves of today willingly take on the yoke of debt that keeps them enslaved. I don't expect this to change. But I could be wrong.

You're right to say "never"...it really is a long time...lol. I tend to use that term in the context of my own lifetime, i.e. up to about mid-century or so. After that, I really don't care too much.

Really, a great deal depends on how quickly the collapse unfolds. If it all goes down in a decade or two, than all bets are off for establishing any kind of stable pecking order. Chaos would reign supreme.

But if the decline is gradual enough (like spanning generations) then you might see the evolution of some sort of feudal system, coupled with trade guilds occupying towns and villages.

The "paycheck" slaves you refer to today are that way due to all the shiny toys that being in debt brings them - the 4 BRM 3 Bath McMansion. The 52" Plasma TV. The shiny new Ford Expedition sitting in the driveway. All bought on credit, of course. But it's a heckuva way to be a slave! LOL.

Increasing the standard of living is gravy for the masses - so what if people have to bow down to their capitalist masters to get their hands on the things they want. You have to admit, it's not a bad life by any stretch of the imagination.

Maintaining the same standard of living isn't so bad either. Many of the slaves that worked on the plantations of the 19th Century never gave any thought to rebelling against their masters, as they had their needs taken care of, and they had every reason to expect the same for the rest of their lives. Having true security is a biggie in people's hierarchy of needs.

But when it comes to a declining standard of living, especially if it comes fast, then it's Katy bar the door time. That stuff is just not going to go down well for just about anybody, rich or poor or anyone just trying to survive another day.

Still, I wish the "it's my vision of the future" folks would take a look at other possible visions.

The reason why I have such difficulty seeing "other possible visions" is because my observation of society gives me NO reason to.

For example:
1) when gasoline went up in price everybody was screaming for more oil refineries
2) when food was going up in price everybody was proposing ways to increase food production like subsidies
3) when electricity was going up, new construction projects for power plants were put on the fast track

Do you see the pattern? Every time there's a problem society always tries to solve it by:
building bigger, faster, more complex, more technology, more subsidies, more manpower, more, more, more
Post peak oil is NOT about more, more, more......it's less, less, less.

Mainstream Environmentalism is no solution. They've all been brainwashed because they have drank out of the same kool-aid bowl. The one that is labeled "infinity growth and technology"
For example an environmentalist would say put more insulation in your home to save on heating and buy a hybrid car to save on gas
You notice they don't say put on a sweater and buy a smaller car.
see what I mean?

addon:
That's why I see a hard crash.
However who knows what will happen 100 or 200 years from now.
So maybe you're right Ludi.
Perhaps the ultimate end result will be your vision of reality (what's it called Permaculture?)
....
....
....
first there must be a hard crash then you can have the soft and flully scenario.

I also see a hard crash. *shrug*

Just suggesting those who might be interested might want to look into other visions.