By Mac10: Debt Is the Economy and You Can’t Spend the Future Twice

Mac10 made a comment that is profound:

“Debt IS the economy and you can’t spend the future twice.”
The ongoing infotainment around Fed rate hikes is all well and good; however it all ignores the fact that only further debt accumulation – by households or governments – will keep the “economy” afloat, albeit temporarily. At PEAK LEVERAGE, any attempt to reduce debt will collapse what is left of the illusion-formerly-known-as-the-economy.

By Radio Ecoshock: Science of the Coming Catastrophe

Radio Ecoshock is a long running B.C. produced podcast hosted by Alex Smith that interviews the best minds in the world on climate change and related topics. The archive is very rich and well worth your time exploring. It’s been my favorite podcast for years. Here is this week’s episode.

“Oil company BP says recoverable oil runs out in 50 years. American scientist James H. Brown publishes study saying this means a crash of economy and population is “very, very likely”. Then Canadian climate scientist Andrew Weaver on our prospects, and why he ran for the Green Party.

Warning: If you are already feeling depressed, this may not be the program for you. Maybe you should take a walk outside instead. Really. That would be OK.”

http://www.ecoshock.org/2015/09/science-of-coming-catastrophe.html

By George Mobus: What is Really Behind the Refugee Crisis in Europe?

“The simple truth is that when you find yourself in deep resource depletion and high population no amount of financial hocus pocus or political posturing or brute force can fix anything.”

By Robert Marston Fanney: How Climate Change is Spurring a Global Refugee Crisis to Rapidly Worsen

“Over the past two weeks, news of the plight of a swelling wave of refugees fleeing to Europe has filled the mainstream media. We looked on in horror at reports of innocent human beings fleeing destabilized countries in the Middle East, of people suffocating while stuffed into the backs of trucks, of drowned children washed up on the shores of nations their families had hoped would care for them.

It’s all a part of a growing global mass migration. A tragic dislocation and diaspora. But this time it’s not only birds, or polar bears, or fish, or walruses, or insects, or plants that are being forced to move by habitat and food loss, by toxified environments or by increasingly dangerous weather. It’s human beings too.”

How Climate Change is Spurring a Global Refugee Crisis to Rapidly Worsen

By Nicole Foss: The Boundaries and Future of Solution Space (plus interview)

Nicole Foss has one of the best minds on the planet.

Find yourself a quiet couple hours and then read this article by Nicole Foss to get the clearest description available anywhere of what we can expect to experience in the not too distant future.

For many this may feel like a cold shower, but I think having realistic expectations is one of the better means of maximizing future happiness, and for appreciating what we have today.

The Boundaries and Future of Solution Space

And for those that prefer video, here is an in-depth interview with Nicole Foss.

By Gail Tverberg: Deflationary Collapse Ahead?

We might bump along for another year or two but my guess is that Gail Tverberg is right and it’s time to tighten our seat belts.

I called my bank’s “expert” today to inquire about the new bail-in law. “Yes it was passed by the Canadian government. No I don’t know if there is a cap on how much of your savings can be confiscated in a banking collapse. But don’t worry, the Canadian system is very sound”.

Idiot.

Deflationary Collapse Ahead?

By Gail Zawacki: Dispatch from the Endocene, #9

Another excellent piece by Gail Zawacki on pollution and trees. Well worth your time.

“No, I do not think humans can help themselves from indulging in cheap energy.  We fly and ride in cars despite the risk of accidents.  Even people who claim to know better make excuses to continue to travel, to use electronic technology, and purchase items manufactured from plastic.”

Dispatch from the Endocene, #9