If you are appalled by the fact that seemingly 99% of the populace is still unaware of Peak Oil, read the article The Neurobiology of Mass Delusion by Jason Bradford where he explains why this is so.
He opens up with this statement:
Anyone familiar with the concepts of overshoot, resource depletion, global climate change, mass extinction, and related ills, wonders why the media, church groups and political leaders do not vigorously discuss these topics. By contrast, those unfamiliar with these issues assume that because they are not covered closely, the problems must not be too worrisome.
Excellent point.
He then moves on to explain how the human mind is adept at filtering out unpleasant data. This explains why your friends quickly switch the topic whenever you bring up Peak Oil. People simply don't want to hear about something that could turn their allegedly happy little lives upside down.
He ends with these two paragraphs:
Those who know about "Peak Oil," monetary debts, climate change, militarism, overpopulation, corporatism, soil loss, aquifer depletion, persistent organic pollutants, deforestation, etc., realize we are at a major historical juncture now. Since we know it is past time to change our culture, the question we have is whether most people will bother to listen and create the necessary transition in a rational, non-violent manner.
For those who find the terms in the previous paragraph somewhat mysterious, try this. Research the "laws of thermodynamics" and compare them to the cultural imperative for "economic growth." See if you can recognize and then resolve the tension between the two in your mind. If you can't resolve the tension, decide which one of these has to go. Look back at the terms in the previous paragraph and ask how they relate to what you've just learned. Caution: afterwards you may need a good shrink.
[Italics mine]
Thank you, Jason.
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