The Collapse of Civilization

The Collapse of Civilization -- Part 2

Here we have reviews of two books. One of them indicates that life wouldn't be so bad without modern technology. The other sketches what life will be like when we lose a good deal of modern technology -- the "technology" associated with cheap oil.

Would we be "Better Off" without technology?

O. K., this book has some problems, but it's still a fascinating look at the idea of "turning off" modern technology.

Peak Oil and "The Long Emergency"

"Peak Oil" is real. This is a picture of what life will be like after we settle into the reality that our long cheap-energy ride is over. But it has an up side -- at least we won't have to deal with the car culture any more.

Related articles on "The Collapse of Civilization":

Part 1: Collapse -- Coming Soon to a Civilization Near You!
A review of books by Jared Diamond, J. R. McNeill, and Joseph Tainter, on the collapse of civilizations and the current state of our own.

Part 2: Reviews of Better Off and The Long Emergency
Reviews of two books by James Kunstler and Eric Brende which offer alternative visions of possible futures.

Part 3: Is Peak Oil Here?, reviews of books by Ken Deffeys and Matt Simmons on peak oil.

Part 4: Five More Good Books on the Collapse of Civilization! Reviews of books by Jeremy Legget, Lindsey Grant, Ronald Wright, John Howe, and Julian Darley.

Part 5: Decline and Fall, a review of Are We Rome?

Part 6: Peak Oil at the Movies, a review of A Crude Awakening, Crude Impact, and What a Way to Go.