General Discussion

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)

123. We are in a repeat of the Long Depression, which led up to recovery in the late 1890s and WW I

Wed Dec 14, 2011, 08:25 PM

Dec 2011

Read history from the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 onwards. It was a time when the previously dominant Great Britain and Austria Hungary slide into economic troubles, and their fortunes declined due to competition, huge military expenditures, and increasingly sclerotic political institutions. There was huge inequality in London and Vienna, ranging from the hovels in the slums to the great houses of the nobility and bourgeosie.

It all led to WW I and the period from 1914 to about 1949 and the end of the Chinese revolution, during which about 200 million soldiers and civilians died from war, revolution, purges, disease (Spanish flu epidemic), and starvation (e.g. in India).

I'd expect the next episode to start in about 2030. And probably multiple billions of casualties during the subsequent decades.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

175 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I'm Not Sure How To Ask This... But... Is Anybody Else Feeling A Great Nauseous Forboding About... [View all] WillyT Dec 2011 OP

Read this and everything else seems... less important. Whisp Dec 2011 #1

Holy Crap !!! WillyT Dec 2011 #4

oh ok, methane trapped under the arctic ice being released causing much faster global warming... limpyhobbler Dec 2011 #6

Most the Methane is now trapped under the ice...so when the sea ice is melted... Auntie Bush Dec 2011 #128

That was my first thought Auntie Bush sasha031 Dec 2011 #145

I remember reading about this as a dangerous potential scenario, over 12 years ago. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #8

*nod* Interestingly I'd posted that same Spiegel article in E&E earlier. joshcryer Dec 2011 #18

ahhhhh..THERE you are.....good to see ya. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #39

In 1982 I had a class given by scientists that warned this IS the worse case scenario to avoid. glinda Dec 2011 #54

der spiegel article is from 2008 librechik Dec 2011 #88

Some are happy................ Angry Dragon Dec 2011 #13

angry dragon on a crazy train leftyohiolib Dec 2011 #47

That is just a comment I found Angry Dragon Dec 2011 #104

my apologies angry dragon leftyohiolib Dec 2011 #146

I have gone bonkers however I did not write that Angry Dragon Dec 2011 #152

Durn! chervilant Dec 2011 #126

You don't like the idea of a loving and forgiving God? Cal33 Dec 2011 #169

I will answer anyway....... Angry Dragon Dec 2011 #170

That's not good. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #25

So in essence, eilen Dec 2011 #37

AND "we" have done NOTHING to address the problem for decades, even knowing it was so. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #40

And we'll go out.....like a fart Maraya1969 Dec 2011 #56

This is not a threat that one can easily blow off. Jackpine Radical Dec 2011 #75

Yep. Don't light a match! loudsue Dec 2011 #76

They've found something that Turbineguy Dec 2011 #107

That does pale everyting by comparison BlueToTheBone Dec 2011 #44

I saw this too. My greatest fear is the cascading effect of human caused stresses on th environment BlancheSplanchnik Dec 2011 #61

Paraguay. Octafish Dec 2011 #62

Is that were George Bush bought thousands of acres of land over the largest Aquafer Auntie Bush Dec 2011 #130

Paraguay. Right next door to Rev Moon's spread. Octafish Dec 2011 #141

This too shall pass. ZombieHorde Dec 2011 #73

Eh... kenfrequed Dec 2011 #95

Life may thrive on other planets, for a while. ZombieHorde Dec 2011 #113

Scientists say the sun will burn out in 5 billion years...so we have plenty of time Auntie Bush Dec 2011 #132

Well... kenfrequed Dec 2011 #156

Our bodies are made up of atoms and particles that came from exploding stars and galaxies of Cal33 Dec 2011 #171

Nobody light a match!! Fair Witness Dec 2011 #103

It's as if mankind has given the earth a giant bellyache GoddessOfGuinness Dec 2011 #108

I'll bet corporations will say "It's not true," if they could make money from denying it. Somehow Cal33 Dec 2011 #173

Yep. DirkGently Dec 2011 #2

Corporatocracy rules. lpbk2713 Dec 2011 #3

It's not just corporations, it's anyone who controls massive amounts of capital (like the Koch bros) Capitalocracy Dec 2011 #24

it appears that politics is no longer an idea business spanone Dec 2011 #5

Yes. I read some posts and get a knot in the pit of my stomach. nt Mojorabbit Dec 2011 #7

Definitely txlibdem Dec 2011 #9

Clathrates we already know, they are for tomorrow. The Death of Democracy, Fire Walk With Me Dec 2011 #10

What is the "clathrate" you refer to in your header? truedelphi Dec 2011 #119

Clathrates are a form of methane that is locked up in ice, usually deep under ocean sediment . . . hatrack Dec 2011 #139

I had never heard of this expression before. truedelphi Dec 2011 #167

Yes, not just the country. nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #11

nadin... It's Like Everybody In Power, Is In On Some Sort Of Giant Secret... WillyT Dec 2011 #16

Why the American Elite Media nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #20

Absolutely....whether it is talks with my 83 year old mom, or during dog walks with my wife - NRaleighLiberal Dec 2011 #12

Stepping off a cliff pscot Dec 2011 #79

I've been pushed-I didn't step off a cliff. Maccagirl Dec 2011 #138

Not foreboding. I think things need to change. The real crossroads is Dover Dec 2011 #14

Recommended, I feel this "1984" Orwellian feeling is growing stronger quinnox Dec 2011 #15

ANIMAL FARM seems more appropriate. We overthrew the farmer, but now the pigs are walking on their yurbud Dec 2011 #99

Yeah but... Johnny Noshoes Dec 2011 #116

No, the environment has me more concerned. joshcryer Dec 2011 #17

When you look back and see what happened in Texas this year, nothing that was planted was harvested, Aaria Dec 2011 #53

Yah. People here don't imagine that famine could happen to us but we haven't planned at all. aquart Dec 2011 #91

The myth and fable of King Midas has never been more pertinent. truedelphi Dec 2011 #115

We supply so much of the worlds food... that if we ever have a famine... Auntie Bush Dec 2011 #136

My estimate was just based on my potential life cycle. joshcryer Dec 2011 #135

On Thom Hartmann yesterday, I heard the 2 words, "claw back," w/ref to bank accounts. mojowork_n Dec 2011 #19

Apparently not many have heard of this little clause in the law. I thought Aaria Dec 2011 #50

Propaganda.... "on both sides." That's one of the key elements of the self-sustaining frame. mojowork_n Dec 2011 #114

So then, you are saying? truedelphi Dec 2011 #117

Honestly, I wasn't trying to address any of that. mojowork_n Dec 2011 #121

My God, they thought of everything, didn't they -- Remember Me Dec 2011 #64

Yes. First they made theft legal and they stole everything. aquart Dec 2011 #93

Allow me to frame an answer this way... brooklynite Dec 2011 #21

Yes I think this deck chair really looks much better over here a simple pattern Dec 2011 #29

LOL! Good one...n/t BeHereNow Dec 2011 #49

I think the view is better from the poop deck. Aaria Dec 2011 #51

Wish I could rec a response! freefall Dec 2011 #58

+1000 smirkymonkey Dec 2011 #84

Yes, EC Dec 2011 #22

Actually, I'm feeling much better about things. MannyGoldstein Dec 2011 #23

But Manny, I just got a letter Jakes Progress Dec 2011 #147

What about a nauseous foreboding about climate change? Stargleamer Dec 2011 #26

Agreed... But Who Are The Gatekeepers To Fixing That ??? WillyT Dec 2011 #30

Nope. Our system is a good one. treestar Dec 2011 #27

Ha-ha-ha-ha. Please pass the rest of us some of what you are smoking! BeHereNow Dec 2011 #52

Oh, hell. I don't know how you can say that. Remember Me Dec 2011 #65

You forgot the sarcasm thingy pscot Dec 2011 #82

It has worked and will keep working though thick and thin. AlbertCat Dec 2011 #86

In a way the U$A is more corrupt burrowowl Dec 2011 #28

You're not alone, Willy. Lugnut Dec 2011 #31

Just wait until we wake up and find Newt Gingrich is our new president! Kablooie Dec 2011 #32

If Newt's the nominee, hopefully that is enough to make the people stop complaining about Obama Pachamama Dec 2011 #34

Just like Bush/Cheney made Reagan's regime seem like the good old days. Kablooie Dec 2011 #69

There goes my breakfast..... dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #41

Actually I'm feeling more hopeful these days hootinholler Dec 2011 #33

I don't know... are you worried about the seaworthiness of the titanic? harmonicon Dec 2011 #35

Yes- I have the same feeling Marrah_G Dec 2011 #36

I have felt that way since the Bush jr. admin. deacon_sephiroth Dec 2011 #38

I have felt that way since the Bush jr. admin. AlbertCat Dec 2011 #87

Yes. A major crisis has been building for years, BlueIris Dec 2011 #42

I have been bouncing back and forth between BlueToTheBone Dec 2011 #43

Bravo WillyT. You are absolutely right. Get the money out of politics and there's hope. Go 99% judesedit Dec 2011 #45

That's why people are taking it to the streets. Quantess Dec 2011 #46

You are exactly correct. SpankMe Dec 2011 #48

Wow! Just yesterday I was feeling freefall Dec 2011 #60

Is there anyone who isn't? LongTomH Dec 2011 #55

I've had this feeling since 2000 MoonRiver Dec 2011 #57

+1000 Little Star Dec 2011 #66

+1000 MadrasT Dec 2011 #68

+a gazillion n/t chervilant Dec 2011 #127

Nope frazzled Dec 2011 #59

Yes MadrasT Dec 2011 #70

"But as one that used to love politics" mmonk Dec 2011 #63

A two-party system is inherently flawed, imho. mistertrickster Dec 2011 #67

Yes RobinA Dec 2011 #71

"WE THE PEOPLE... need to stand the hell UP!!! " Hotler Dec 2011 #72

As if not enough suffering has been happening to people these past few years... AZ Progressive Dec 2011 #174

I have been feeling that way for most of my life. DCBob Dec 2011 #74

Heard on NPR today ...gov can activate your webcam and mic without you knowing. L0oniX Dec 2011 #77

My highly computer literate honey believes that to be true. Kaleko Dec 2011 #118

Anyone who isn't nauseous, drinking more than usual, and figuring out how to transfer their assets BeHereNow Dec 2011 #78

Doing it all again Roy Rolling Dec 2011 #80

As a Canadian I hope I'm not being presumptuous, but every time I see an American on TV or read glarius Dec 2011 #81

The Repug lineup for Prez says it all.... AlbertCat Dec 2011 #83

It's hard NOT to feel a nauseous forboding when our police are armed for war against us, RueVoltaire Dec 2011 #85

Wanna share a bunk in the gulag? BeHereNow Dec 2011 #92

Cheers BHN! RueVoltaire Dec 2011 #112

I think we should be HOPING for a collapse Doctor_J Dec 2011 #89

I don't know why people cheer for this nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #124

Millions are already suffering, more every day Doctor_J Dec 2011 #149

Proud to be the 100th REC! BeHereNow Dec 2011 #90

I think of the challenges to the Voting Rights Act pending at the US Supreme Court as the Texas Lawyer Dec 2011 #94

"Banana Republic Without the Bananas" is one term to consider. truedelphi Dec 2011 #166

Yes, I am Jack Rabbit Dec 2011 #96

shortly after the election, when Obama chose Rahm Emanuel to be his chief of staff... yurbud Dec 2011 #97

Well, ProSense Dec 2011 #98

I'd be willing to say the 'Representatives' of both political parties are at fault. Beavker Dec 2011 #102

"one political party is trying to beat down the poor and create and Warren Stupidity Dec 2011 #134

yes JitterbugPerfume Dec 2011 #100

I think this everyday Beavker Dec 2011 #101

Not at all. Swede Dec 2011 #105

Forty years doesn't seem to be enough. Jakes Progress Dec 2011 #106

Since when is the Party of Elizabeth Warren as at fault as the Party of Michele Bachmann? (nt) UrbScotty Dec 2011 #109

Or at least, can anyone prove the fault of the Party of Elizabeth Warren? UrbScotty Dec 2011 #110

This is the problem of the party fanatic. Jakes Progress Dec 2011 #143

The Party of elizabeth Warren is also the party of Max Baucus and Rahm Emanuel Doctor_J Dec 2011 #148

its time for some of the old ways whathappened Dec 2011 #111

Its called living in a fascist state. nineteen50 Dec 2011 #120

I'm waiting for my retirement fund to be stolen and my house taken away. Too many evildoers at the valerief Dec 2011 #122

We are in a repeat of the Long Depression, which led up to recovery in the late 1890s and WW I FarCenter Dec 2011 #123

I think things are getting better because people are standing up TNLib Dec 2011 #125

Best remedy for malaise, anxiety and hopelessness: Get out and do something! nt SteveW Dec 2011 #168

yes we do proud patriot Dec 2011 #129

Sure do. I have been feeling the nausea and foreboding for 30 fucking years NNN0LHI Dec 2011 #131

It is just a phase you go through in life. I started feeling that way around 1966-67 Warren Stupidity Dec 2011 #133

Yes, but we have to keep LIVING, thinking, acting... Mimosa Dec 2011 #137

I think this has been coming for awhile but no jimlup Dec 2011 #140

Yes. Vanje Dec 2011 #142

I look forward to the future with much trepidation and forbidding thoughts. I just do not RKP5637 Dec 2011 #144

Yup, it is why I packed up my family and possessions and fled. Bonobo Dec 2011 #150

Most Americans, I think, are in denial. That, is one root cause as to why these RKP5637 Dec 2011 #153

Bonobo, if you have not yet seen this, Census data: Half of U.S. poor or low income RKP5637 Dec 2011 #154

I saw that. Shocking but not surprising. Bonobo Dec 2011 #158

A sign of the times - Not only did my truedelphi Dec 2011 #161

It is, everything seems surreal anymore. Sometimes I feel like we're living in a RKP5637 Dec 2011 #165

Yes, yes, and... ananda Dec 2011 #151

Americans are in denial IMO. Census data: Half of U.S. poor or low income RKP5637 Dec 2011 #155

Are you asking if we feel the country and the world are going to hell in a handbasket? Jamastiene Dec 2011 #157

Nauseous? No. What I'm feeling is bordering on flat-out RAGE. Edweird Dec 2011 #159

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #160

How Would You Know... You Just Got Here... WillyT Dec 2011 #162

Thanks for the welcome! Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #163

So... Tell Me About Your Avatar... WillyT Dec 2011 #164

Yes libtodeath Dec 2011 #172

people ARE standing up - OWS, Minnesota and such Liberal_in_LA Dec 2011 #175