Preparing for the inevitable shortages
Early this week the L.A. Times broke the story: no way to avoid fuel outages next week. Not just the spot shortages we've all seen, but area-wide outages that will last for days. As supply keeps dropping and demand struggles to rise, shortages are the only way to reconcile the two.
Midweek, the Washington Post leaked documents relating to the struggle to secure gas stations. Evidently there are plans afoot for rationing but no one has a clue of how to actually enforce the schemes. The Post reported that the Dept of Homeland Security is pitching for the job - oh dear gods, no.
FIVE DIFFERENT WORLDS
As plotted on some kind of spectrum with survivalists on one end and oblivious twits on the other, people seem to clump in five areas: (a) people who expect very bad times and are headed out of town. (b) people who are already being pushed to the edge and beyond. (c) people who see the changes coming and are adapting as fast as they can but fear it's not enough. (d) people who live in exurbia and are maintaining a stiff upper lip as they are slowly being bled white. (e) people whose means or prior preparation have rendered them largely immune so far. Plus of course the many who think they are still living in the pre-shock world. I'm guessing the shock will catch up to them next week.
AGONY IN IRAQ
As you probably have heard, the troops in Iraq are having a tough time of it. Defending the oil infrastructure has stretched them thin and made them vulnerable.
THE QUESTION OF FOOD
Food - very much on people's minds. All of a sudden "food miles" is on everyone's lips. The agriculture industry didn't win any friends with its demand for priority access to fuel, a demand that set off competing demands by other industries.
TOUGH LOVE
You probably also know that the U.S. got drubbed again in the world oil markets, with the dollar not looking so good as our oil-fired economy sputters. It's also proving hard for the U.S. to justify its disproportionate demand over nations that will go under without oil.
MISSION: COMMUNITY
Lots of people have reported to us that building communities is the single best thing to do to cope with the oil shock. But the reports we're receiving tend to be solitary reports. Let's get out there, people - show us the communities you're putting together. Check out the new MISSIONS story type for some inspiration on that, with starter ideas courtesy of mPathytest.
BLEAK HOUSE?
Of all the reports we're getting, the ones I appreciate most are those that help me imagine how life is for you now. Is it all thoughts of survival, or is there time for life, love, dreams? Tell me what's going on with you in your videos, images, blogs, emails and phone calls.
Get daily update by phone
Subscribe to daily podcast
« Previous Week
Next Week »