In a recent conversation with a friend of mine (who sells PV systems for a living), he uttered this statement:
"When the oil runs out, were all going to be living like Cavemen!"
My first thought was that all of the great thinkers, philosophers, scientists, artists and just about everyone who ever lived before the early 1900s (except for actual cavemen) would, and should be offended by this. The vast majority of the great art, literature and thoughts that have led up to our current intellectual richness were conceived during the daytime, or by candlelight.
I don't think Leonardo DaVinci ever thought of himself as a caveman.
At the risk of repeating myself, I mention that many modern "necessities" such as television, radio, text messaging, e-mail, online gaming, blogging, etc. consume a vast amount of time and resources, and supply none of our basic human needs. I submit that in the Big Scheme of Things, these things may turn out to be as much of a burden as an asset.
Hopefully with a little planning, even after coal and oil run out, truly sustainable polyculture/permaculture based villages will be able to support a small human population in the style of the neolithic period. That is if all the remaining farmland and forest hasn't already been plastered over with non-recyclable toxic waste panels, and the busted remains of wind generators abandoned after the misguided pursuit of "renewable energy" in the early 21st century.
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