The Consumer Trap

4 Responses to “Dmitry Orlov: An International Treasure”

1. June 18th, 2009 at 7:22 am

   senecal said:
   

   I read this late at night, and then dreamt about a world where there was nothing to buy or sell anymore. He takes a very eclectic approach, somewhat offhandedly, and is hard to follow. His whole argument rests on the claim that when oil reaches a certain price ($150/barrel) the global economy starts to unravel. That’s the first thing that has to be looked at, empirically as far as possible.

2. June 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am

   Michael Dawson said:
   

   Sen, that talk is really afternotes to his book, Reinventing Collapse.

   His sociology is a mixed bag, but he has profound and unique insights, and I like his advice that preparing for social collapse makes great sense, even if the event never comes.

3. June 19th, 2009 at 12:25 am

   RJHall said:
   

   (Yay, it finally looks like I can simply comment again without having to get a Facebook account or something!)

   Well, I loved it! I especially liked his responses to people like the “Technological Singularity” crowd who say that technology is increasing so fast that it will soon become infinite and a superbenevolent artificial intelligence, or else some other wonderful technological innovations, will soon save us: “My problem is that I am not an economist or a businessman: I am an engineer with a background in science.” Technological innovation would take decades, but “We do not have decades.” (Besides, given the relative slowing of technological progress the last few decades, I think we’re actually approaching a “Technological Plateau.”)

   A while back, since it was recommended on this site (and even in the “Consumer Trap Store”), I added Orlov’s “Reinventing Collapse” to my list of books (at my Goodreads site) I definitely will get and read one of these days. Now my determination is reinforced! (Michael’s own forthcoming book, “Automobiles Über Alles”, is also on my list!)

4. June 20th, 2009 at 10:16 am

   senecal said:
   

   I like his brash propositions like “we’ll either have to reduce consumption by a factor of ten or reduce population by a factor of ten.” This is the kind of blunt truth no one can admit, but may well be in the secret minds of some of the overclass.

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