The Ecotechnic Future

Envisioning a Post-Peak World

By: John Michael Greer

Narrated by: Tony Craine

The industrial age made possible by fossil fuels will surely decline as these fuels run out. In The Ecotechnic Future John Michael Greer alerts the listener to possible changes future generations may face as these dwindling fuel supplies lead first to a deindustrial age, then to a society which salvages the remnants of our current plenty, and eventually to a time in which people may learn to live in balance with the environment: an ecotechnic society.

©2009 John Michael Greer (P)2010 Polity Audio LLC

Critic reviews

"Greer's work is nothing short of brilliant. He has the multidisciplinary smarts to deeply understand our human dilemma as we stand on the verge of the inevitable collapse of industrialism. And he wields uncommon writing skills, making his diagnosis and prescription entertaining, illuminating, and practically informative. Not to be missed." (Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute)

EROI concept and solar missed

The book presents good insights in various topical area. However, a consistent theme is that fossil fuel is diminishing and nothing can be done about it. Humanities and cultures has to adapt in stages.

In defining the concept of "net energy", the author misunderstand the concept of energy return on energy investment. Yes, fossil fuel and tar sand are low in "net energy" or low EROI and this applies to bioethanol. However, in energy research circles the EROI is not fixed but subject to two factors: source deterioration (or less probable improvement) and technology improvement.
The author is ignoring solar energy and labeling it as low in "net energy" permanently. This is not the case, Currently, solar energy has improved to a great extent becoming in some geographies the cheapest energy source ever (2 us cents per kWh). We expect lowering of this cost further in future. Concentrated fossil fuels are dense, yes, but synthetic fuels can be made using cheap electricity from solar and wind. Transportation can be electric (trains and cars) and the aviation can use synthetic fuels or continue to use fossil fuels (with balancing carbon capture).

Is there possibility of technological collapse? may be. However, it is also possible that humanity under improved renewable electricity could usher a new era of improvment.

Energy is dynamic and improvements and deteriorations are acting at the same time. Energy efficiency in using the energy could reduce the energy needs. It has been demenstrated that a building can be kept worm not by an external energy but thermal energy of the sources inside (human bodies, electrical and electronic equipment).

Negative future is possible but positive future is possible too. We can steer toward a good one.

Best, JH, physicst and inventor

I had to add this. It’s a good book. Christ, I just want to submit this review!

not the apocalypse you were expecting

Would you try another book from John Michael Greer and/or Tony Craine?

I'm definitely getting more JMG books.

What other book might you compare The Ecotechnic Future to and why?

Dmitri Orlov

How could the performance have been better?

Won't work on my Sansa Clip Zip unless I convert it to MP3 first.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Movie? We're living it!

Any additional comments?

Great wake up call from a lot of modes of thinking that turn out to be very old after all. I thought I got some exposure from being an English major in college, but apparently a lot of the good stuff wasn't on the reading list. Would have loved to have this guy as a prof. because he shows the pitfalls of different ways of thinking.

Wow

Second book from Greer and his observational skills and abilities to transform them into wisdom are unmatched.

Future world view minus the apocalyptic claptrap

I listened to JMG'S book "Rise and Fall" prior to this one. I would suggest readers do the same. The greater the number of decades you have lived, the better able you are to see the future he outlines. Regardless of your political beliefs or scientific knowledge, you will learn from this text and have much to ponder. Our society is destined to change significantly as petroleum supplies decline and arguably we are just beginning to see these changes. Mr Greer's book describes a future much different than what most people envision. This is an excellent book to encourage your offspring to read if you're a parent.