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The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function.
-- Dr. Albert Bartlett

A Long History of Aggression

Editor, Vermont Commons:

I have read a few [issues] of your Vermont Commons with much interest.  I wish you well with your attempt to gain independence from the central government of the United States.  But in order to understand the reasons for the uncontrolled power of the present government and improve on any replacement government, I believe one has to debunk some of the American myths and beliefs.     

The young people of Vermont are showing us the way to a sustainable future.    

During the past two years, a committed team of high school students has been investigating the scientific, economic, and political possibilities of creating a locally based biofuel industry in Vermont. Through compelling presentations to other students, the media, and policymakers, and effective use of the internet, their network now includes more than 200 students from 26 schools around the state, and they stand a real chance of making their ambitious vision a reality.      

April 18, 1775, Dijon, France

An angry mob gathered outside the shop of a wealthy miller suspected of mixing bean flour with wheat flour to cut costs.  The miller was assaulted and his house and mill plundered for flour, then burned to the ground.  In the weeks that followed, similar scenes followed at bakeries and mills throughout France.  Everywhere, people were angry about the same things: flour was too expensive, often of poor quality, and bread, priced at 14 sous nationwide, was unaffordable to many.

I feel like I must be living under a rock.  It wasn’t until the mainstream media started beating it into us late this spring that I realized food prices have been skyrocketing over the past couple of years.  My ignorance is not due to financial irresponsibility.  The simple fact is that the rising prices have not affected me all that much.  As my husband and I have gradually moved to eating an all-local diet over the past three years, one unintended consequence is that we have largely insulated ourselves from rising prices at the grocery store.  

I first heard the term “Transition Town” spoken by peak oil activist Richard Heinberg at the end of his talk in Montpelier last April. The words “Transition Town” struck me powerfully. “Ah! The End of Cheap Oil need not mean sudden, dystopic collapse. Yes, our future lives will be local lives, and, if we embrace this change as opportunity NOW, we can transition our communities to a life that is ‘energy-lean, time-rich, less stressful, healthier and happier.’” Right here, among the hills of home.     

Ever since he was born to that old farmhouse in Enosburg, he’s been warmed by wood. Thirty-six winters, an average of perhaps five cords per. He has seen a lot of fire.