Comments pumpysworld has made

  • On the Other Hand...

    Given problems with peak oil, the difficulty of finding alternative sources of energy, and the fact that much of the world remains dependent on paper, we might see return to lower levels of technology. Also,

    • I read somewhere that a computer turned on for three hours uses up the equivalent of one tree. This probably doesn't include the chemicals used to make it, and the fact that most of them are toxic and difficult to dispose of.

    • With regards to shopping, factor in the high level of consumption of products, shipping costs, etc., and one might still see environmental problems.

    • The last I heard, less than 10 percent of human beings have access to computers, most are poor, and greater amounts of wealth are concentrated on fewer people.

    If what they say about energy problems is true, then we might see the collapse of high-tech industries that are heavily dependent on cheap oil, and with that both the Internet and computers. Communities will likely end up going local, i.e., buying and selling things from nearby places, the formation of local newspapers with any international news passed through wire services, an emphasis on farming and practical skills, and probably a return to libraries filled with books.

    All of these will likely be part of the argument that says that the way we live now is not, in the long run, sustainable. Something will have to give.
    On How the internet is changing news consumption habits posted 2 years, 11 months ago 12 Responses