Damocles' Death Ships & The End of Civilization

This story reminded me of a book I read, half remember as the Stark conspiracy, but I may be wrong and it may have simply been a similar theme around the same time I read Stark.

More here with video.

The image conveyed in that book (or if not, whatever other novel it was in) of plague ships, endlessly criss-crossing international waters, unable to enter port as no government would give shelter to them or their cargo of lethal toxins the exporter had tried to dump on some poor unsuspecting sod. I'm paraphrasing, in essence the sword of Damocles’ hung over these ships as, unable to dock, they would simply circulate until they fell apart. This horror was worsened when I read a few years ago how whole containers fall from ships so frequently that they present a danger to shipping. The steel containers slip from deck (how do things that weigh several tons 'slip'?) but because of the way they are filled, sit in the ocean about 20 feet down, like bloody great steel rectangular icebergs. No-one seems to collect them to salvage them and they sit there until they sink or break up. Now imagine they are a container from one of the death ships...

That's given me another idea for a Six. 

Later on, after more seeking of new and challenging opportunities, I thought I do a little stumbling.  Fairly early on I came across this intriguing statement...

"Dear Reader, 

Civilization as we know it is coming to an end soon."

 It's from 'Life After the Oil Crash'. It is the start of a slightly heavy-duty but explanatory piece on the fuel problem. I think I got the stumble because I'd thumbed-up a piece about a brilliant new ceramic battery. I use the phrase fuel problem somewhat loosely. You can read the article for yourself here. It was only when I went back to research and attribute that I discovered they are a survivalist group, the discovery of which made me distance myself somewhat. Who knows we might all be raising chickens yet.

I must admit, however, that a lot of what I read made very good sense. Where I live, here in the UK, I rarely experience any sort of power cuts. I would estimate we have one roughly every eighteen months and it last about twenty minutes, usually as a result of a sudden and very heavy down pour. The paper is written about the world but from a US experiential view. I could still appreciate that without necessary infrastructure investment, if the local sub-station went down as a result of heavy rain, were it and all of it's connective cabling, meters, etc not maintained, it may well simply not come up as it always had done previously.

I am neither an economist or an energy expert.  A few questions were coming to mind, particularly in light of what I had read earlier in the day. They being, what difference to the modelling would 'green' energy make and what effect the combined cost of the bail out would have.

Partially answering my own questions, I would guess alternative sources of energy make bugger all's difference because currently they are too small a percentage of the whole.  Neither can wind-generated electricity produce agrochems or any of the myriad other uses that we presently have for oil. Another element of the report is a figure that was arrived at a few years ago that would be required to maintain the infrastructure. Once again this did not seem unreasonable as I have read elsewhere the poor state of the US power grid. More questions though: If it would cost 15 trillion to shore up the generation and delivery system would that sum still be achievable in light of the worlds governments using large swathes of reserve cash to bail out the financial systems and the motor manufacturers? Conversely, as manufacturing has taken a major hit around the world has oil consumption decreased sufficiently to delay the onslaught of the precipice? Has China's new found love of the motor car hastened it? What about OPEC and their limiting of production to maximise it's value - what effect will that have?

 Well, if nothing else, it made me think. After that, particularly noting the predicted dates it made me a little depressed; not for me but my NoozeHoundette. She will just about be coming of age when the shit hits the fan - which will be one of the few benefits of no power, it not being flung everywhere.

 When I read about the new super battery I posted a comment stating how I hoped it would be rolled out in the very near future. It can't come soon enough really can it?

 On the subject of thinking I was listening to BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio1Xtra this morning. I know Radio1's target demographic is, what 12- 25, despite the under 18s not being counted in the figures; other than people who 'like black music' I have no idea the target age of 1Xtra. Either way, why do they have to deliver the news like they are on John Craven's Newsround? Dumbing down would be doing it a service. \\Rant off.

Now it may be that the scientists and experts quoted in the initial article and the more in-depth linked one are all nut cases, but sadly, I doubt it.

I was working for a company that had a small involvement in Bear Stearns at the time it collapsed. It wasn't responsible in anyway, just a supplier. I remember discussing with my then boss that I was convinced a recession was approaching and he agreed. I sort of have the same feeling about this report too.

So, if you have nothing better to do, toodle off and read those articles. Then come back and sit beside me and well gaze down the side of the Olduvai Cliff together.

Welcome to the disappointment.