Man versus Machine

We live in an age where energy is cheap and abundant, but I strongly believe that all geologic indicators (as well as geopolitical indicators) suggest this will not be true.  Most of you should not be surprise that I believe this.  And many of you have frequently heard me rant and peak oil, water scarcity, and that ilk.  I'm not going to delve deeply into those topics right now.  Others have said it better.

Today I'm thinking about the conflict of Man versus Machine.  It's one of these standard literary tropes.  And I wonder how much we believe that machines are *better* than us.  They are more powerful.  They are more efficient.  They can work longer.  Machines have taken over in the Matrix.  John Henry, our mythically strong folk hero, was defeated by the steam drill.  Yes, we overcome machines sometimes, but only through great difficulty, luck, or by subverting them and making them benign (while still acknowledging our reliance on their strength).

But a lot of this machine myth is based upon the assumption that energy will be cheap and abundant. ...that complex supply chains will be stable. ... that distance and location is not a factor.  And in a time of energy decline, none of these assumptions will be true.

I remember a conversation with a good friend of mine.  This friend is super, super intelligent. But when talking about an economy of peak oil, this friend was certain that the internet would remain.  I was truly surprised by the level of important this person placed on something like the internet.  Yes, the knowledge gained by the web is immense, but when someone has to choose between hiking into the mountains to repair a fiber-optical cable between two towns, and spending a week harvesting food, or constructing a building... I just can't see a rational person choosing to support the vast, elaborate machine that is the internet.

And upon reflect, I just find it amazing how deeply set a lot of our assumptions are regarding machines, regarding what they can do, and regarding their strengths.

This post was inspired by John Michael Greer's latest, and much more thorough, post on his website.

Morning Pages

Dear Systems Observations blog,

We have a great thing going. I love you dearly and feel that we get along really well together. Spending time with you has helped me learn about myself. I feel I've improved at articulating my thoughts. You really have improved my communication skills. But I owe it to you to be honest. I have a new love: morning pages.

Who is this two-bit morning-page hussy, might you ask? My friend M (or should I call her Y?) introduced us. On New Years she told me that morning pages would be perfect for me. M/Y went on to tell me about the book "The Artist Way," which introduces the morning pages technique. Morning pages are three handwritten pages done every morning, the earlier in the day the better. The idea behind them is that they clear the brain of clutter and help one become more creative during the day.

What does this have to do with you, lovely blog? Well, I find that with morning pages I am writing a lot now: 800-1000 words a day. This is much more than I write with you. With you, I feel I must censor myself. I must have a cohesive thought. I can't be sloppy around you. But morning pages? Ahh.... I can be free. I don't need to use full sentences. I even have spell check turned off! Granted, a lot of what I write for morning pages is nonsense but it's streamlined my brain. Since doing morning pages:

• I got a friend to repair the hole in my kitchen ceiling.
• I've re-started going push-ups on a daily basis.
• I've figured out a great way to keep myself from spending too much time on the computer.
• My wedding planning has become more organized.
• I've started renovations on my half bath.
• I've started repainting my full bath.

But Observations.... lovely System Observations... you too hold a special place in my heart. I share you with my friends. You contain links to the world! Morning pages retains her beauty through her mystery. She cannot be shared with anyone. Blog, you are my day, while morning pages is my night. I can not be without either one of you. Please understand that while our relationship has changed, it has not ended. I look forward to a bright new 2009 with you.

Sincerely,
PSM