Having read the Peak Oil posts...

[slor]

should I even bother with my vintage clothing and lingerie store I was to open in a few weeks with a friend? We have recently acquired space but have yet to sign the dotted line. Seriously, should I bother? Also, how will YOU prepare for this event?

[brainshrub]

1. I will be moving to an intentional community within this year.

That is how serious I am about the Peak Oil issue. Mind you, I'm not tinfoil-hat conspiracy theorist, nor am I interested in becoming a reclusive hermit; I just feel that small intentional communities are the way to go REGARDLESS of Peak Oil and resource depletion.

Peak Oil is coming & it's gonna be messy.

On the issue of your store. Sure, open it! Have fun while you still can.

[JanMichael]

3. Interesting. Have you already selected one?

Will it be an ecovillage, cohousing, residential land trust, commune, student co-op, urban housing cooperative? Other?

http://www.ic.org/

I never took you for a Cooperative Commonwealth type. What made you decide on this route?

[brainshrub]

4. Yes

Ecovilliage.

www.earthaven.org

I chose them because I want to learn how to live in harmony with the earth, but I don't want to live under a rock. Earthaven is a community dedicated to teaching & public awareness. The people who live there are incredible.

[JanMichael]

6. Wow. I would have never guessed!

I checked out their site and have to admit that I'm impressed by their dedication. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

BTW I'm a city planner, and a crazed Leftist, so I'm curious on several levels.

[brainshrub]

10. Nobody takes me for the hippie I am.

I have short hair, I work on computers and I couldn't keep a cactus alive to save my life!

But I guess being a hippie is in the heart.

[JanMichael]

12. How does the economy work?

Where do the residents work and how does their internal system function?

I noticed that there were some individual businesses ran out of the "commune" but what do the rest of the people do? Work in collective enterprises? Is that collective bar in Asheville (The cute little place off of the main square that has 75 cent PBRs.) on of theirs? Are the membership fees proportionally collected?

Do members work for outside firms? Would you have internet access? What would you do for work? Tele-commute via the net?

Please! Let us know!

[HereSince1628]

2. I'd go ahead with the store...

used clothes might turn out to be a good investment if the oil culture collapses :)

[JanMichael]

5. Used clothing, books, and other items, will be a great idea.

The eventual downsizing of America will push people into a saving mode.

Good luck.

[AndyTiedye]

7. But Don't Expect any Help from the SBA

they are effectively out of business. No more loans.

Government only helps BIG businesses now.

[JanMichael]

9. I heard. That's amazing. What's next Fannie Mae?

Then the shit will really hit the fan.

[salin]

8. not only that... but one isn't selling items that have required

the use of additional scarce materials... such as accessories that use plastic (petrol products.) If one lives in an area where there is awareness - use this as part of the marketing.

[dawgman]

11. My parents live about 100 miles from Seattle on the penninsula

surrounded by forest and creeks we have begun practicing organic gardening and some other things that may not be very well received here on DU. If things take a sharp turn downwards the wife and I will head out there.