pstarr wrote:Yes, diverse economies (with greatly different energy needs) will fall at different rates, but make no mistake: the vast wealth of the few industrial powerhouses is also over.
America is too dependent on just-in-time manufacturing, dispersed supply lines, and a dumbed down manufacturing base. Even at the most basic level we have lost our ability to make stuff. Is there a restaurant left that could actually slaughter, process, prepare a whole steer. Our food comes from 1,000's of miles away in refrigerated plastic. There is no other way. Same with sub-assemblies for every tool our lives depend on.
We need those other failing economies
While there are many today that have never cleaned a trout and fried it up for dinner there are plenty of people that know how to do the whole process from hoof to table for all the different food species. I know how to dress off a cow and cut it up for the freezer but it is a tedious task I now leave to others as often as possible. Our agriculture and food delivery system is quite robust and not dependent on foreign sources of any major foodstuff. We do import fresh fruit from the southern Hemisphere in winter because we can afford it but that is hardly a necessity. Beef processed in Omaha next to Maine potatoes and California salad and broccoli makes a good meal especially washed down with good wine from several states or imported from a number of countries.
If the energy to transport that food over the distances presently covered becomes scarce and expensive the value of locally grown and processed food will go up along with food prices but I don't see it getting to the point where there is less then adequate food available in any locality in the USA.