[Okie81]

My name is Brandon and I’m 35 years old. While I have been reading The Automatic Earth for a few years now I just created an account today to comment on this post.

First, let me thank you for your insight into a time period that I have very little visibility into. Everything we are taught in school about the history of the U.S., and our overall trajectory, is clearly not a complete picture. I’m afraid that most people in my generation never comprehend that fact, and as such never question what the outcome will be if the history books, and our leaders, have been keeping the truth from us.

I live in Oklahoma and there are a large number of people here that understand we are heading for hard times. We have a good tradition of gardening, hunting, fishing, and self-sufficiency in this State and it is my hope that as events continue to transpire our community will be able to pick up the pieces and continue to move forward together.

As to the question of peak wealth; while I think it is an interesting question I don’t feel that I have the proper information on hand to propose a answer. I also don’t know that it matters that much for the issues that face us today. The United States was placed in a special position after World War II and we were able to utilize that position to greatly expand our wealth and power. As with all empires throughout history we have now squandered that wealth, and abused that power, and must deal with the consequences that will follow.

That our current standard of living is based entirely on debt, both financial and in the form of fossil fuels, is clear to anyone willing to look. However, I have been extremely shocked at how long ‘normalcy’ has been able to limp along in the economy and markets simply by piling on more and more debt. I’m sure that we are heading for one of those weeks where it seems that a year’s worth of history happens all at once, but to be honest I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already.

At this point it seems all we can do is prepare ourselves and our communities to live in a less connected and inter-dependent world. I have watched the Ken Burns documentary on the Dust Bowl multiple times over the last few years and I marvel at the grit and determination that the people showed in the face of absolute economic and environmental destruction. I don’t feel that my generation has that same strength of character today; I hope I’m wrong.

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