this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2025
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Collapse

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This is the place for discussing the potential collapse of modern civilization and the environment.


Collapse, in this context, refers to the significant loss of an established level or complexity towards a much simpler state. It can occur differently within many areas, orderly or chaotically, and be willing or unwilling. It does not necessarily imply human extinction or a singular, global event. Although, the longer the duration, the more it resembles a ‘decline’ instead of collapse.


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[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago)

This was painful to read. If he says neoliberal one more time, I'll need a cleanup crew to scrape my brains off the walls.

It's rambling, full of emotion but makes no point(s). He'll deride batteries, then deride nuclear for not being able to ramp up and down fast enough and not put two and two together (along with pumped hydro) that they are suitable mixes that allow for anytime baseloads and responsiveness.

Wind also SHOULD be prioritized. The author even says it accidentally. There are no fuel operating costs.

The only thing he got right is that the service should be nationalized and unified to eliminate duplication and waste. Private investment of generating capacity is almost always bullshit, because they want price guarentees and subsidies of externalities. Private profit, social losses, like where a nuke plant will be profitable, but will let the government take care of the pesky waste disposal costs.

It belongs in the commons.

The UK, like the world over, needs to focus on demand (1) and supply.(2)

1a.Demand Reduction. E.g. passive house, public transit.

1b. Efficiency: e.g. heat pumps over furnaces or boilers.

2a. Solar, Wind, Tidal and hydro renewables as a base load.

2b. Batteries and pumped storage for adjusting quickly to load changes.

2c. Nuclear to fill the projected gaps, which are enourmous, until our population, lifestyles and benefits of everything under #1 can bring civilization into balance.

Most importantly, is to stop the tremendous bullshit and waste of AI and crypto. I'm not saying we shouldn't pursue them, but making them widespread and such enourmous consumers of resources we don't have to spare when they are neither needed, warranted, desired or desirable when we are facing an energy crunch is akin to suicide - choosing death and destruction, screaming "weeeeee!" As your roller coaster rides into the lava dome of the active volcano.