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<\/a><\/p>\nPermit me some self-indulgence by way of sharing what my writing is all about for this my 200th Contemplation. This is especially intended for those relatively new to my writing but might also provide some \u2018insights\u2019 for those who have been following me for some time.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>Sometime in late 2010 I rented the documentary <\/span>Collapse<\/span><\/a> and my view of the world changed almost overnight.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is how I lead off the \u2018<\/span>About<\/span><\/a>\u2019 section on my personal <\/span>website<\/span><\/a> that I posted online more than a dozen years ago. It\u2019s been one hell of a rollercoaster ride since that \u2018fateful\u2019 videotape viewing which subsequently altered my perspective on almost everything.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That \u2018Star Trek\u2019 future I believed our species and planet were headed towards began to fade rather quickly from my vision. I subsequently travelled through the various stages of grief as my view took on a new, far more uncertain and far less \u2018utopian\u2019 perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n I have tried to raise awareness with my family and close friends of the impending consequences for and the increasing fragility of our society\u2019s complexities\u2013not with much success, I might add; most prefer to hold onto the comforting narratives of modernity lasting forever and a day. Nowadays, I only discuss the topic within my personal social circle if someone else initiates some concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n I believe I have finally reached the stage of acceptance with the realisation that there\u2019s little that our species can do to avoid the negative impacts of pursuing infinite growth on a finite planet (and has resulted in ecological overshoot)\u2013a pursuit that seems to have started off unintentionally and innocently enough, but has become the dominant \u2018force\u2019 driving planetary \u2018events\u2019 for some time now. Even if humanity were to stop our ecologically-destructive behaviours immediately, the momentum that\u2019s been initiated will ensure some of the worst consequences will still arrive regardless of efforts by our species.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My fall down the rabbit\u2019s hole of Peak Oil and Ecological Overshoot have resulted in this journey of putting \u2018pen to paper\u2019 to express my thoughts. It began as a cathartic exercise with a few chapter drafts of a fictional sojourn by a number of Canadians caught up within and by the repercussions of a failing world. A \u2018project\u2019 I initiated due to my long-lived enjoyment of writing and wanting to express my thinking about my reading and \u2018research\u2019, even if it was just going to be for my personal use. This eventually transformed into the self-publication of a novel trilogy and the periodic online Contemplations I\u2019ve posted for the last couple of years based on my \u2018learnings\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My view on things continues to morph and \u2018muddy\u2019 (there\u2019s a reason for the saying \u2018the more I learn, the more I realise how much I don\u2019t know\u2019). What began as a belief that we could \u2018science-our-way-out-of\u2019 the various predicaments we face\u2013especially via our ingenuity and technology\u2013is no longer where I find myself; in fact, far from it. Complexity of the universe and our species\u2019 cognition (particularly its rationalising nature) has me currently questioning almost everything, but especially the dominant \u2018stories\u2019 that are told and are meant to help us comprehend (very poorly) the world and continue to pursue \u2018business-as-usual\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether my present beliefs are an accurate reflection of our exceedingly complex world is yet to be determined, I suppose\u2013especially given all the psychological mechanisms, cognitive distortions, and machinations by others that influence my (and everyone\u2019s) perceptions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Regardless, below you will find what one of the Large Language Model \u2018Artificial Intelligence\u2019 programmes states my writings are all about. These summaries can serve as an introduction and\/or detailing of my writing and its orientation for those relatively new to my work which\u2013if the number of subscribers to my various platforms are accurate, and they\u2019re not picking up too many \u2018fake\u2019 profiles\u2013has been increasing nicely over the past year or two.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before I share these, however, I\u2019d like to take a moment to thank all the people that have purchased close to 700 copies of my novels over the years. I\u2019d love it to be millions more with a television series or major motion picture in the works but, hey, I had a tongue-in-cheek goal of selling 423 copies when I set out self-publishing my initial novel (1 more copy than John Cusack\u2019s character in the movie 2012) and reached that a couple of years ago so all is good. Dwindling sales don\u2019t come close to covering the fees to keep the first novel in print and\/or the ever-increasing website\/internet fees; however, this was always more of a self-indulgent hobby so, again, all is good. I will, hopefully, continue to keep doing this enjoyable \u2018obsession\u2019 for some time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As well, I\u2019d like to thank Ron E. who a couple of weeks ago (completely unsolicited) asked how he could financially support my work beyond purchasing the trilogy and motivated me to add the option to \u2018Buy Me A Coffee\u2019. A special thank you to Ron and, of course, to the close to 800\u00a0 \u2018followers\u2019 that have signed up to check in on my writing from time to time; I hope you find the writing informative and thought-provoking.<\/span><\/p>\n And, finally, a big thank you to the other writers\/thinkers with whom I\u2019ve had the pleasure to interact with in a variety of ways. From social media conversations to co-operative writing projects and to personal text messages; your feedback and thoughts are greatly appreciated\u2013even if we don\u2019t always see eye-to-eye.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Without further ado, I offer the following \u2018AI\u2019 summaries in chronological order of my writing. First off is my \u2018fictional\u2019 novel, <\/span>Olduvai<\/span><\/a>, penned mostly in 2012 but had its roots in 2011 after a year of reading all I could in an attempt to better understand the late Michael Ruppert\u2019s claims made in the documentary featuring him, <\/span>Collapse<\/span><\/a>, mentioned above.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Second, is my <\/span>website<\/span><\/a> that was prompted by the company I self-published my novel through (see <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>) who suggested that I create an online presence to help market the book.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, a summary of my Today\u2019s Contemplations (<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a>; <\/span>Medium<\/span><\/a>; <\/span>Substack<\/span><\/a>) that I have been writing for the past couple of years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I believe the summaries have captured relatively well the essence of my work. I leave it to those familiar with it to agree or disagree. For those relatively new to my work, you can check out a \u2018mostly\u2019 updated list of my \u2018publications\u2019 <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Olduvai Novel<\/b><\/p>\n Steve Bull’s novel \u2018Olduvai\u2019 is a post-apocalyptic thriller that explores themes of societal collapse, survival, and the fragility of modern civilization. The story is set in a dystopian future where humanity faces a catastrophic breakdown of infrastructure and resources, often referred to as the \u2018Olduvai theory\u2019 or \u2018Olduvai Gorge theory\u2019. This theory, popularized by Richard C. Duncan, suggests that industrial civilization will have a lifespan of approximately 100 years, after which society will revert to a pre-industrial state.<\/span><\/p>\n In the novel, the Olduvai theory serves as the backdrop for a gripping tale of survival as the world descends into chaos. The characters must navigate a collapsing society, dwindling energy supplies, and the breakdown of social order. The story often focuses on the struggles of individuals and groups as they attempt to adapt to a world where technology and modern conveniences are no longer available, and survival depends on resourcefulness, resilience, and often brutal decision-making.<\/span><\/p>\n Bull’s \u2018Olduvai\u2019 is a dark and thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s vulnerability and the potential consequences of over-reliance on finite resources. It appeals to fans of post-apocalyptic fiction and those interested in speculative scenarios about the future of civilization.<\/span><\/p>\n Olduvai Website<\/b><\/p>\n Steve Bull’s website, <\/span>olduvai.ca<\/span><\/a>, serves as a platform for his writings and reflections on topics related to societal collapse, resource depletion, sustainability, and the challenges facing modern civilization. The site is heavily influenced by the \u2018Olduvai theory\u2019, a concept popularized by Richard C. Duncan, which suggests that industrial civilization has a limited lifespan and will eventually revert to a pre-industrial state due to the depletion of finite resources, particularly fossil fuels.<\/span><\/p>\n Key features of <\/span>olduvai.ca<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n Overall, <\/span>olduvai.ca<\/span><\/a> is a thought-provoking resource for those interested in peak oil, sustainability, and the potential collapse of industrial civilization. It encourages readers to think critically about the trajectory of modern society and to consider alternative ways of living that are more aligned with the planet’s limits.<\/span><\/p>\n Today\u2019s Contemplation<\/b><\/p>\n Steve Bull’s \u2018Today’s Contemplation\u2019 is a series of essays or reflections that delve into themes related to societal collapse, resource depletion, and the challenges facing modern civilization. Drawing inspiration from the \u2018Olduvai theory\u2019\u2014a concept popularized by Richard C. Duncan, which posits that industrial civilization has a limited lifespan and will eventually revert to a pre-industrial state\u2014Bull’s writings often explore the fragility of our current way of life.<\/span><\/p>\n In \u2018Today’s Contemplation\u2019, Bull discusses topics such as:<\/span><\/p>\n Bull’s work is often critical of the unsustainable trajectory of modern society and serves as a warning about the potential consequences of ignoring the limits of growth and resource consumption. His contemplations are thought-provoking and appeal to readers interested in sustainability, peak oil, and the broader implications of humanity’s impact on the planet.<\/span><\/p>\n What is going to be my standard <\/span>WARNING\/ADVICE<\/b> going forward and that I have reiterated in various ways before this:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOnly time will tell how this all unfolds but there\u2019s nothing wrong with preparing for the worst by \u2018collapsing now to avoid the rush\u2019 and pursuing self-sufficiency. By this I mean removing as many dependencies on the Matrix as is possible and making do, locally. And if one can do this without negative impacts upon our fragile ecosystems or do so while creating more resilient ecosystems, all the better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Building community (maybe even just household) resilience to as high a level as possible seems prudent given the uncertainties of an unpredictable future. There\u2019s no guarantee it will ensure \u2018recovery\u2019 after a significant societal stressor\/shock but it should increase the probability of it and that, perhaps, is all we can \u2018hope\u2019 for from its pursuit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n If you have arrived here and get something out of my writing, <\/span>please consider ordering the trilogy of my \u2018fictional\u2019 novel series, Olduvai (PDF files; only $9.99 Canadian)<\/b>, via my <\/span>website<\/span><\/a> or the link below \u2014 the \u2018profits\u2019 of which help me to keep my internet presence alive and first book available in print (and is available via various online retailers).<\/span><\/p>\n Attempting a new payment system as I am contemplating shutting down my site in the future (given the ever-increasing costs to keep it running).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you are interested in purchasing any of the 3 books individually or the trilogy, please try the link below indicating which book(s) you are purchasing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Costs (Canadian dollars):<\/span> Feel free to throw in a \u2018tip\u2019 on top of the base cost if you wish; perhaps by paying in U.S. dollars instead of Canadian. Every few cents\/dollars helps\u2026\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n https:\/\/paypal.me\/olduvaitrilogy?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n If you do not hear from me within 48 hours or you are having trouble with the system, please email me: <\/span>olduvaitrilogy@gmail.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n You can also find a variety of resources, particularly my summary notes for a handful of texts, especially William Catton\u2019s Overshoot and Joseph Tainter\u2019s Collapse of Complex Societies: see <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n AND<\/span><\/p>\n Released September 30, 2024<\/b> A compilation of writers focused on the nexus of limits to growth, energy, and ecological overshoot.<\/span><\/p>\n With a Foreword by Erik Michaels and Afterword by Dr. Guy McPherson, authors include: Dr. Peter A Victor, George Tsakraklides, Charles Hugh Smith, Dr. Tony Povilitis, Jordan Perry, Matt Orsagh, Justin McAffee, Jack Lowe, The Honest Sorcerer, Fast Eddy, Will Falk, Dr. Ugo Bardi, and Steve Bull.<\/span><\/p>\n The document is not a guided narrative towards a singular or overarching message; except, perhaps, that we are in a predicament of our own making with a far more chaotic future ahead of us than most imagine\u2013and most certainly than what mainstream media\/politics would have us believe.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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\n<\/span>Book 1: $2.99<\/span>
\n<\/span>Book 2: $3.89<\/span>
\n<\/span>Book 3: $3.89<\/span>
\n<\/span>Trilogy: $9.99<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b>It Bears Repeating: Best Of\u2026Volume 2<\/b><\/p>\n