A young man's dilemma.

Osbourne · Post by **Osbourne** » 08 Jan 2010, 08:43

In the looming peak oil crisis, whether you believe it will happen right now, has already happened or will happen within the next few years ahead, poses a great dilemma for a young man like me.

I am on the verge to moving to America for college in pursuing a career in law. I will first study clinical psychology as it teaches me various skills, including statistical analysis and not to mention: it's fun. It's important that it's fun because then it is easier to learn it.

The problem(or in neospeak: the challenge) is that it's not very useful in a peak oil world. Law is arguably more useful as settlements between individuals and groups will be needed as well as the need for the adaptation for the community to simplify it's laws.

Still, by the time I get my law degree it would be 2017(I'm 18 today). By that time, Peak Oil would most likely already have begun it's eroding process of our petroleum-based society.

Then there's the question of living. I was born and still live in Sweden, a nation perhaps best suited for the coming crisis with one of the least oil-dependent lifestyles and energy supplies, with over 25 % of it's national energy coming from renewables. Yes, I know of the poor farm weather. But the global warming will continue in the next 50 year even if all oil consumption stopped tomorrow. Sweden will become more and more like south Germany in it's climate within the next few decades according to the IPCC.

I'm unsure about America's suitability. Certainly, some states do have the climate, the culture and the mindset to pull it through. The U.S. culture is very individualistic and already a lot more local than most European nations. There's a much higher power stake in it for 50 states and much less of a national unity. That works against them in the current climate but will aid them in the future.

Still, America is America. Everybody have guns and there's plenty of loons within the subterranean society. Also, they are far more oil-dependent than most European nations and far more likely to get into resource wars. Even if an invasion is unlikely, except for a massive mexican invasion from the south of illegal immigrants creating gigantic ethnic friction.

I'm quite torn. I'm a natural optimist but I have one flaw: I have thoughts. And I know that it's very possible Sweden will be a better nation to live in, perhaps not immediately but at least in the long-term view. But how great are the chances of getting a one-way ticket on an airplane from America to Sweden in 2020? Or even on a large boat/cruiseship for that matter.

What are your thoughts? Go to America or stay back home. I might add that I don't think I would have any problems adapting to the American way of life, I've always been a friend of the nation.

P.S. I can't be bothered with spellchecking and grammar, although I'm sure there are plenty of instances where errors and flaws occur. D.S

stumuzz · Post by **stumuzz** » 08 Jan 2010, 09:17

You think too much!

Peak oil and climate change has nothing to do with you (or me)

Just do what makes you happy and remember that PO and CC are useful bits of knowledge that make sense of the world of politics, capitalism and societal structures.

As for the law make sure you include the study of jurisprudence, it is the most valuable subject I ever studied, it will repay you a thousand times.

Do not think that once you have studied law that will be the end of it. It will be just the beginning. Since getting my LLb, I have gained a further degree and about thirty mandatory occupational qualifications. In the new world of work you will never stop learning and studying.

As for where to live, any western democracy will suffice, the only difference being the weather.

Stop worrying about the future, the real problems in your life are things that have never crossed your mind and never will until the day they happen.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 08 Jan 2010, 11:46

Osbourne wrote:P.S. I can't be bothered with spellchecking and grammar, although I'm sure there are plenty of instances where errors and flaws occur. D.S

My advice is always to be bother about spellchecking and grammar, otherwise people may conclude that you can't be bovvered.

UndercoverElephant · Post by **UndercoverElephant** » 08 Jan 2010, 12:52

Do not go to the US. Stay in Sweden and get yourself qualified to do something that won't be useless in 20 years time.

The US has plenty of natural resources, but I am expecting it to tear itself apart politically and socially when it is finally forced to confront the realities of the 21st century.

eatyourveg · Post by **eatyourveg** » 08 Jan 2010, 15:25

Regarding the USA:

http://kunstler.com/blog/2010/01/the-fu ... .html#more

Mr Kunstler has an opinion.

'This is the economy that will tear the United States apart, after it bankrupts us at every level, and mercilessly drives the population down by one-third through starvation, homelessness, violence, disease, and sheer political cruelty.'

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 08 Jan 2010, 19:57

If checking the details of text isn't your cup of tea, are you sure that law is really the career for you?

It's also less "portable" from one country to another than, say, Psychology or one of the "hard" sciences.

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 08 Jan 2010, 21:43

If checking the details of text isn't your cup of tea, are you sure that law is really the career for you?

True. Maybe journalism or politics would be a better route?

The Grauniad would of course be the ULTIMATE goal.

Adam1 · Post by **Adam1** » 08 Jan 2010, 22:38

Why do you want to study US law, unless you plan to emigrate there?

My feeling is that Sweden is and will be a better place to live than the US. Not that there aren't pockets of the US that are likely to fare OK.

I don't think that these things can be decided on a peak oil basis. Being happy in a place now, as well as in the future, will depend on all the usual personal factors. Peak oil should only inform the decision in that, you shouldn't live somewhere you feel insecure in, because that will make you unhappy.

snow hope · Post by **snow hope** » 09 Jan 2010, 01:02

The grass is always greener on the other side..... stay in Sweden - it will be much better than the US in the short, medium and long term in my opinion. If you want to study Law then go ahead, but I am not sure how much use it will be to you in the future.

You are already ahead of the pack. You are thinking about things that are important. Take it a step further and make a decision to become good at woodwork, electrical work, plumbing, repairing things, learn to turn your hand to anything. I think trademen have a good future.... anything that has practical use will have benefits.

The world is your oyster - just choose in what way you want to enjoy it.

jonny2mad · Post by **jonny2mad** » 09 Jan 2010, 11:18

you could talk to matt savinar on latoc about the prospects for lawyers, I think there are a couple of other us lawyers on the board mostly they dont see to much future in the law .
There may well be a future in being a wild west sheriff or someone like the judge roy bean ideally armed with more modern weapons .

so a law degree the right attitude 50 cal sniper rifle and a noose could well be a great career with farming as a side occupation

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 10 Jan 2010, 11:13

RenewableCandy wrote:If checking the details of text isn't your cup of tea, are you sure that law is really the career for you?

x2

In case RC's point is a tad subtle, not checking the details of text could easily break you. 'Hanged by a comma' indeed.

jcw · Post by **jcw** » 10 Jan 2010, 19:08

I would stay in Sweden. It will be socially more stable than the USA plus you are in your home country which may be advantageous.

Am I mistaken in believing that the per capita consumption of oil in Sweden is among the highest in the world?

Finland, for example, has high per capita energy consumption not because everybody is driving around in SUVs but because of heavy industry and industrial transportation. I think Canada's usage is high for much the same reason.

Whether the climate of southern Sweden will change to that of present-day Germany seems open to question.

ziggy12345 · Post by **ziggy12345** » 10 Jan 2010, 19:12

If you are not in the energy business you are in the wrong business

Cheers

fifthcolumn · Post by **fifthcolumn** » 11 Jan 2010, 05:05

America might not be as bad as some doomers seem to think.
For US citizens that is.

You will be on a student visa with no rights.

If the shit hits the fan, resources in the US will go towards US citizens, not towards hangers on like yourself.

Sweden is in pretty good shape as far as Europe is concerned.

But if you MUST move, why not come to Canada instead?

UndercoverElephant · Post by **UndercoverElephant** » 11 Jan 2010, 23:12

fifthcolumn wrote:
But if you MUST move, why not come to Canada instead?

Because it's right next to the biggest shithole on Earth?

I like Canada. I even like Montreal, regardless of the extreme weather and the fact that it is full of people who pretend not to be able to speak English. In terms of natural resources and sheer space, especially in an era of global warming, Canada comes right at the top of the list. Then compare with New Zealand: can compete on all criteria, and is a long way from the biggest shithole on Earth.

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