Olduvai Gorge

This is a video from TheOilDrum.com.

Richard Duncan’s Olduvai Theory is re-assessed with the latest available data. On the second half it is analysed how can alternative energy sources fill the gap left by those finite resources.

The corresponding web article can be found at: http://www.theoildrum.com/node/3565

Posted by Søren Renner on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 07:54 PM in
Comments (3) | Tell a friend

Comments:

Posted by dennis on February 29, 2008, 08:45 PM | #

How many conspiracies are there out there?

(Follow the link)

Posted by onetwothree on February 29, 2008, 10:58 PM | #

I love the combination of the thick accent with a loud, whiney saxaphone, digital piano, etc, in the background. Great production. I really enjoy straining to understand people.

Posted by cladrastis on March 01, 2008, 06:52 AM | #

This is an interesting video, but it ignores an alternative solution to maintaining the per capita energy status quo - a massive reduction in the human population (perhaps to a sustainable 0.5-2 billion individuals). Or even better, a reduction in the human population coupled with the suggested increase in energy efficiency and transition to renewable and nuclear technologies.

Extrapolating future scenarios from present conditions, this also reminds me of Michio Kaku’s exploration of the three types of techno-industrial (or energetic) civilizations - of which we are currently a Type 0. Type I is a civilization that controls the energy production of an entire planet, Type II is a civ. that utilizes the energy production of a single star, and Type III is a civ. that harnesses the energy generated by a galaxy. I guess my question in relation to this is (insofar as any of us can imagine the use of such vast amounts of energy): is this level of development desirable? Are such technological feats necessary for us to become citizens of the galaxy? If so, what is the purpose? Kaku assumes that as the Universe begins to die, whoever or whatever is left at the end of time, as the stars begin to burn out, might be able to use this energy to tunnel into another Universe (presumably a young one with the same laws of physics as ours), and continue its civilization.

Although I think Kaku’s description of civilizational evolution is logical, I wonder what sacrifices we would have to make to achieve this level of development. Should we value our own path to power above the wonder of wild nature and all its emerging intelligences? What information (in the form of living lineages) could/would we sacrifice in pursuit of such goals? As far as I know, Kaku doesn’t explore these moral dimensions - but it would be nice to have a roadmap of where we’re going and why we’re going there. Otherwise, what’s the point of worrying about the Olduvai theory and the future energy needs of humanity?

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