Global warming a tough sell for the human psyche

[Kernos]

The Copenhagen talks on climate change were convened with a sense of urgency that many ordinary folks don't share. Why is that? One big reason: It's hard for people to get excited about a threat that seems far away in space and time, psychologists say...

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/12/1 ... man-psyche

[treegod]

I'm reminded of an image of a film (and I won't mention which one, it's well known and the personality may ruin the message! ) a from is placed into boiling water, it jumps straight out, because the danger is immediate. Next a from is put into cold water which is then put on to boil. The frog doesn't notice the inrease in temperature and in the end dies in the boiling water. It was completely oblivious to the danger.

The difference between us and the frog is that we can use other faculties of the brain, not instinctive, to make ourselves aware of the danger. Time will tell if this faculty is really going to be able to convince us of the danger in time to respond effectively.

Recently read a book recently called The Long Emergency, all about the problems of peak oil. I think it's called that because the effects aren't all going to be immediate and obvious. But it doesn't make it any less of a problem.

I shall read the article now

[DJ Droood]

Recently read a book recently called The Long Emergency, all about the problems of peak oil. I think it's called that because the effects aren't all going to be immediate and obvious.

I think you are right...and it is a series of interconnected smaller "emergencies", rather than a Hollywood-style apocalypse....it grinds away...disease, climate change, peak oil, financial reckoning, crumbling infrastructure, entropy...over a few generations.