Update 1: October 16, 2019
Ok SEHIs, it's over a week now since the Superstruct initiative launched, so it feels like time to try and sum up some of the major events and trends we're seeing around the PowerStruggle superthreat.
It's clear that a lot of people are suffering as we continue to move through our global energy descent, with severity ranging from inconvenience through to mortal danger and bereavement, but I think it's very important that we celebrate those who are doing ok out there too, and hopefully try to learn from their successes.
There is a real groundswell of practical and ingenious solutions emerging through Superstruct, with a vast range of different approaches reflecting the diversity of local circumstances and cultural stories around the world. I've been involved in some interesting discussion around whether this diversity is a strength (making us less dependent on particular habits or technologies) or a weakness (due to incompatibility between systems), but whatever we may think, it's certainly panning out that way at present.
There are lots of suggestions being offered for improving fuel and energy supply, (I'm sure many of you have seen these adverts for example). Some of them (like these scams) simply need shutting down, but mostly they need your help with refinement and practical testing. One of the great benefits of the Superstruct network is that it puts those with ingenuity and ideas in direct contact with those who have been getting their hands dirty for a while.
One concept that could usefully permeate our discussions is that of 'Energy Return On Energy Invested' (EROEI) - this reminds us that a fuel source is no use to us if the amount of energy we can harness from it is less than the amount of energy it takes to extract/produce/harness it!
I'm also particularly keen to hear more about what seems to be the characteristic approach of the 2010s (whether by choice or necessity) - simply reducing our fuel and energy needs. This finds expression everywhere from overarching paradigm shifts to straightforward practical action, whether on the scale of Masdar City or simply at the personal level. There have even been discussions of how the family unit is changing in response to the PowerStruggle.
All this demand reduction appears critical, because despite the spectacular claims of various technologies, in reality desperation is feeding demands to go back to limitless coal-burning, despite the environmental consequences. As ever, the clashing motivations here are finding expression in clashes of a more physical nature, with police, radical direct action campaigning groups and organised crime all unafraid to unleash violence.
And in a world where long-distance travel sometimes seems to be becoming the exclusive preserve of desperate refugees, those who are still crossing the world for other reasons are finding it a much more 'interesting' experience. My fellow PowerStruggle guide csven has had a few problems of his own on his travels.
Interestingly, we are starting to see a little engagement from government and industry representatives, and I fully expect that they'll come rolling in in ever greater numbers as they recognise the significance of Superstruct in shifting the prognosis for humanity.
There are reminders all around us of just what challenging times we live in, but Superstruct is just such a hopeful development. Remember, we are making a difference.
Of course this is just a snapshot - check out the links I've provided, but I don't pretend to be able to keep track of every aspect of the brilliant Superstructing going on. There's all manner of ingenious collaboration going on out there - this is just the stuff that caught Sven and I's eyes this week.
Keep up the great work people (I have provisional figures from GEAS that the PowerStruggle is the Superstruct superthreat which is attracting the most engagement) and we WILL get through this.
"There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come" - Victor Hugo
~DarkOptimism (Shaun, Santa Maria, Azores) and csven (Sven, New England), October 16, 2019.
ps If you would like to get in touch with fellow SEHIs offline, take a look at the SEHI location map to see who's around, and don't forget to add your own details!
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