Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Example and American Prospects

In the waning days of the American Empire the US administration finds itself mired in political crisis; foreign policy has come under sharp criticism and the economy is in steep decline. These trends mirror the experience of the Soviet Union in the early 1980s. "Reinventing Collapse" examines the circumstances of the demise of the Soviet superpower and offers clear insights into how we might prepare for coming events. Rather than focusing on doom and gloom, "Reinventing Collapse" suggests that there is room for optimism if we focus our efforts on personal and cultural transformation. With characteristic dry humour, Orlov identifies three progressive stages of response to the looming crisis: Mitigation - alleviating the impact of the coming upheaval; Adaptation - adjusting to the reality of changed conditions; and, Opportunity - flourishing after the collapse. He argues that by examining maladaptive parts of our common cultural baggage we can survive and thrive and discover more meaningful and fulfilling lives, in spite of steadily deteriorating circumstances. This challenging yet inspiring work is a must-read for anyone concerned about energy, geopolitics, international relations and life in a post-Peak Oil world.