Some links / So cute / Doomsday clock / On work / Peak oil MBA thesis and other energy…

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still maintain the ability to function. F. Scott Fitzgerald

Some links

• 20 most recent comments to this blog — see also at the top of this page.
• Europe underground — superb photographs from the sewers.
• A big hole in the ground in Mirny, Russia — for mining small things, diamonds.
• A Chronological List Of U.S. Military Interventions Throughout Its History — dictators of the world, beware!
• BLGD blog — with a great collection of websites about (civil) architecture
• Is the electric grid breaking down — another reason why electric cars are not realistic.

So cute

Can there be anything cuter than a hugging lion? Hardly.

Doomsday clock

The doomsday clock is about to move closer to midnight. At the same time, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will make a major announcement. Interesting, but depressingly worrying development.

On work

It is surprisingly hard and tiring to work in a new company. Even though the work I do (systems architecture and large scale program management) is exactly what I like to do and for what I have a lot of talent, skills, and knowledge, it is still hard. It is hard to get to know new people, try to figure out their strengths, their motivations, their skills and knowledge. It is even harder to do that while trying to learn many new technologies and business models. All this means that at the moment 8 hours is about the maximum I can work daily. Once I get to know the people, technologies and businesses, I can move from learning to creativity, or at least to higher productivity, or if not that, to longer workdays, if need be.

Peak oil MBA thesis and other energy issues

Sarah Odland has written an interesting looking thesis on peak oil and coming low-energy society strategic choices for managing the transition from peak oil to a reduced petroleum economy. Worth reading. I agree with her on her conclusion

However, the biggest hurdle to overcome in reducing oil consumption is human nature. Denial is the first recourse, followed by a fighting instinct to preserve the status quo. Cataclysmic perceptual and behavioral shifts will be required before individuals voluntarily reduce their oil consumption. Education and discussion of the issues surrounding peak oil are crucial if we are to manage our inevitable transition away from fossil fuels with any hope of preserving a civilized society.
As for the post-carbon economy, there is currently no viable plan B. A full-scale transition effort is urgently needed. The top priority should be to buy as much time as possible to develop sustainable alternative energy sources. Individuals, villages, states, and governments need to begin investing in mass transit, energy efficiencies and renewable energy. Before they will agree to that, they need to believe that the future value of those investments is worth forgoing other investments or consumption today. Once people grasp the realities of peak oil, a longer investment horizon becomes possible. We must value the world¿s remaining oil resources as our primary, ever dwindling asset to build the bridge to the future.

And yes, we have the same problems ahead of us here in Finland and Europe in general. We are a bit luckier than the Americans, for our cities are still somewhat walkable and most of them have decent, if not perfect, public transportation. Of course, problems with agriculture, plastics, and other necessities for which oil is necessary, are going to become a major headache, soon.
James Kunstler's newest rant on the mirage of cheap oil is worth reading. Mr. Kunstler repeats himself, of course, but as nothing has changed since his previous rant (or his excellent book The long emergency), we do not complain too much.
Also, to reply to Richard C, I am working on a city planning competition for a vision of the Helsinki metropolitan area in the year 2050. Energy issues are most crucial in trying to figure out how to live here in 40 or so years. A single person, not even of me, cannot do much more.

Another reader

A great bureaucrat Mr. Wahlroos has died. He was last of his kind: a bold, outspoken, well-read public servant. Not liked that much, but well respected. I was surprised to read today in his obituary (written by his son) that Mr. Wahlroos was compulsive reader. He read while walking. I mourn passing away of a great member of polis and brother in books.

Alun perin julkaistu kuukausikoosteessa "Blogs January 2007".