collapse

Danger ahead: prioritising risk avoidance in political and economic decision-making

In this week's excerpt from Fleeing Vesuvius, Brian Davey argues that since the financial and political components of the present system have now discredited themselves, a fluid situation exists that might allow more viable options to emerge. Local green initiatives, in particular the Transition Towns movement, are gaining in strength and number(s), but do they have the potential to develop the capacity needed at a national level to transform societies' energy and transport infrastructures?

Cultivating hope and managing despair

from Fleeing Vesuvius. Psychologist John Sharry describes how societies are struggling to come to terms with the nature and extent of the changes facing them both now and in the future. Modern psychological models of motivation and change, and of how people deal with threat and loss, suggest strategies that can be used to help individuals change and to galvanise communities into collective action.

Why Pittsburgh real estate never crashes: the tax reform that stabilised a city’s economy

by Dan Sullivan, from Fleeing Vesuvius. Pittsburgh and Cleveland have adopted diametrically opposed strategies, with dramatically different results. In Pittsburgh, foreclosure rates are low despite the downturn, home prices are climbing slightly and construction rates are increasing. Cleveland, meanwhile, is struggling to stem a complete collapse of its housing market. The difference lies in the fact that Pittsburgh has had a site-value tax, which steadies the market, and Cleveland has not.

Brilliant or barmy – what do you think?

Two long reviews of Feasta's book Fleeing Vesuvius have appeared recently, one enthusiastic, the other markedly less so. Andy Wilson of An Taisce writes that " The point hammered home repeatedly is that solo runs are futile, while collaboration and working together offers communities their best chance..... Wonderful book. Buy it.” Graham Strouts is not so convinced. Is he raising questions which Feasta members should not ignore?

In the world, at the limits to growth

We imagine Ireland is in crisis, yet crisis is relative. Most people in the world would envy our material austerity and be thankful for our endlessly 'collapsing' health service. But with our expectations thwarted and in the anxiety of uncertainty, we are focussed inward. Yet we remain as deluded as ever.

Through the Looking Glass: An Evening with Vinay Gupta

In this seminar, Vinay Gupta, a thinker on catastrophe and resilience, explored the phenomenon of collapse and examined the structures which underlie social, political, financial and supply-chain systems, suggesting they may not be as vulnerable as some might fear.

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