The man who created paradise (a fable)

Remarkable story about strip-mining, farming and resurgence.
Wendell Berry writes in the Foreward: “… there is something wondrous and redemptive about … [an effort that would] employ the technology of destruction to begin the restoration of what has been destroyed; and how this singular effort might inspire the efforts of others to do the same thing; and how finally a whole community of people might ally themselves with the inherent goodwill of any place to heal itself and become the Paradise it once was.”

Peak oil & supplies – Sept 1

Gustav may hit Gulf platforms harder than Katrina
Hurricane Gustav could send stocks, futures on a wild ride when US markets reopen Tuesday
TOD on Hurricane Gustav
Cantarell loses production at a rate equal to 30% of Shell’s Perdido project, in 1 month
Oil prices and the Mayflower problem

A geopolitical tsunami: Beyond oil in world civilization clash

Less developed countries have set their will towards becoming industrialized. But, the stark facts of oil depletion present barriers to thwart the universalization of economic development. This may facilitate civilization clash, as each political bloc frantically strives to secure a reliable supply of oil at the best price.