Problems, Predicaments, and Technology

Recently I have seen a string of articles and videos that repeat the same basic theme - that within the next 5 years we face umpteen different symptoms of collapse . I don't like attempting to attach timelines to any of this, and so I am simply repeating the theme that I see in all of these articles - none of this is my own assessment. I will say that I agree with the assessments. We're running out of road, folks. As for whether anyone is ready or not, I think very few if any truly are. We've been discussing this for decades, now the time is drawing near for issues to develop that will be extremely difficult for society to deny (although people still will because that is what we do). I mentioned most of all this in my recent article about our actual reality . Still, the warning bells are getting louder. This article from Alice Friedemann mirrors my own feelings about the situation, quote: " The only way I can see this being prevented or the end of oil delayed a few ye...

Clover Hollow Covered Bridge, Virginia

  Pilot Mountain in North Carolina

Fog rising over a farm field in Virginia

  The Blue Ridge Discovery Center  in Konnarock, Virginia I read many articles every month, which allows me to detect certain patterns within these articles. (I am working on slowing down on the number.) A large percentage of most of them contain so much bargaining and hopium that a reader who understands the predicaments we face can only laugh or cry at them. I try to glean what I can from them and ignore the parts of denial of reality and optimism bias , but some articles are so full of crap it's just not funny. Here's a prime example of what I'm talking about (although I often list these types of articles and have even written entire articles based upon them, named appropriately, Fantasies, Myths, and Fairy Tales ). That article (the prime example) lists an issue caused by several different symptom predicaments of ecological overshoot , namely, pollution loading , climate change, and ocean acidification (also a symptom of climate change).  Now, to be sure, the ble...

  Beartree Lake at Beartree Recreation Area

Trail at Beartree Recreation Area in Virginia

  Backbone Rock in northern Tennessee

  The view from Pretty Place Chapel , South Carolina

  Picture of Table Rock Mountain in South Carolina taken from Bald Ridge Heritage Preserve

Lake Jocassee as seen from the boat ramp at Devils Fork State Park in South Carolina

  Lake Jocassee, South Carolina

  Forest clear cut along Chattooga Ridge Rd. in South Carolina

  PHOTO: Paul M. Walsh/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK

  An early morning picture at Black Rock Mountain State Park in Georgia