The tolling of the Gion temple bells
Echoes the impermanence
of all things.
The brilliant colored flowers
of its double-trunked tree
Reveal the truth that
to flourish is to fall.
Like a passing dream
on a springtime evening,
The strong are finally destroyed,
To end as dust
before the wind.

-- Opening of the Heike Monogatari (13th century)

~ ~ ~

As graphs for population, fossil fuel depletion, disease, topsoil loss, and desertification continue their implacable trajectories, there's bound to be trouble. Rather than suffering the boredom of a slow decline, it's more than likely that humanity will give itself the bum's rush out of this vale of tears. Feel free to share any hypothesis or speculation as to how we prideful chimps will lash out, in our greed and madness.

While many discussion groups cover practical survival tips, policy options, political gamesmanship, technological panaceas, and so on, this group is primarily focused on the aesthetic, artistic, and literary aspects of the end of Industrial Civilization (and the psychological and spiritual underpinnings thereof).

If you don�t know what I�m talking about, read every paper posted at:

www.dieoff.com
www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/
www.peakoil.net/
www.faculty.rsu.edu/~felwell/Theorists/Malthus/Index.htm

The AlasBabylon Prime Directive:

~ NO advocacy - ONLY analysis ~

We are neither the sheep nor the wolves, but only irrelevant crows,
watching from the forest.

Furthermore, I would advise all readers here to consider personally adopting the principle of AHIMSA - non-harmfulness to all living things. That's the only advocacy that is acceptable in this group.

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city!
For in one hour is thy judgment come.
(Revelation|18:10)

Have a Nice Dieoff!

- Scott Meredith
/FORMER AlasBabylon list owner - His new blog: cattanga.typepad.com/tabby_cat_gamespace