Environment & Energy
In reply to the discussion: The Jevons Paradox is bullshit. [View all]NoOneMan
(4,795 posts)In the past, the "we can't" point comes when there is not enough available energy--or knowledge to apply it--to create a new level of complexification that fixes the current slew of problems (and can consuming energy in any conceivable amount stop climate change or just exacerbate it?). The "we can't" point is when collapse historically comes. But, we are dealing with a new, highly "advanced" animal these days.
This is not only what we observe in the past collapse societies, but it is likely where we are heading. I don't think science and technology have a chance to fix anything at all, as they just fit the pattern of the past (further complexification that demands further energy to maintain and creates further problems we must fix).
The only hope for mankind is a new religion where men are forced to where Burkas and women herd goats with AR15s; we cannot choose to decomplexify civilization, so nothing short of doing it at the end of a gun will help.