Energy expert Art Berman discusses the global energy wars, shifting geopolitical alliances, human fallibility, and the psychological disposition to immaturity. He explores the historical roots of conflicts, the need for a healthy ecosystem, and the challenges of advocating to end oil use. The podcast also delves into global geopolitical complexities, energy consumption strategies, and the evolution of morality towards functional infrastructures.
Global powers are shifting alliances based on energy resources, reshaping geopolitics.
Reduce overall energy consumption rather than shifting between energy sources for long-term solutions.
Understanding complex geopolitical tensions and energy dependencies is crucial to addressing global challenges.
Deep dives
Global Dissatisfaction with the Status Quo
At least half the world expresses dissatisfaction with the current global order, understanding that natural resources and production play a crucial role. This dissatisfaction extends beyond just some rogue states, indicating a deep-rooted economic war. The West's focus on trivial matters contrasts sharply with this realization.
Challenging the Notion of Energy Solutions
The conversation delves into viewing energy consumption as the core issue rather than seeking solutions through energy substitution. Emphasizing that all forms of energy consumption contribute to the problem, the narrative shifts to focusing on reducing overall energy consumption rather than playing a game of shifting choices among energy sources.
Admitting Complex Reality and Listening to Multiple Perspectives
The dialogue highlights the need to acknowledge the complexity of global geopolitical tensions and energy dependencies. It urges openness to understanding varied perspectives, even those perceived as opposing, to unravel the multilayered challenges and avoid simplistic black-and-white narratives.
Intricate Geopolitical Landscape
Explores the intricate landscape of geopolitics and energy dependency among global superpowers like Russia, China, and the West, with a focus on LNG, resource control, and shifting political alliances. It offers a critical lens on the complex relationships based on power dynamics and resource interests.
Prioritizing Awareness and Psychological Transition
Advocates for prioritizing awareness and understanding the deeper psychological transitions needed to navigate the multifaceted crises. Rejecting quick-fix solutions, the emphasis lies on building the infrastructure for sustainable living that aligns with the Earth's resources, urging introspection and collective recognition of the intricate challenges faced.
Whoever controls the energy supply controls the new world order.
Russia and China are deepening their relationship, Western allies in the Middle East are joining the fossil-fuelled BRICS alliance spanning the globe, and the Wagner group is loosening Europe’s grip of Africa. The tectonic plates of geopolitics are shifting along new fault lines as rising powers focus on securing resources while the old Empire in the West pretends it can decouple economies and energy. The world is at war, but only one side is being honest about what for.
Acclaimed energy expert Art Berman says this is the culmination of millennia of human fallibility. This is a conversation that takes us from 3000 BCE and the discovery of what he calls the most disruptive technology humans ever had right up to today and the energy wars blooming around the world. We discuss our psychological disposition to immaturity, our cognitive shortcomings when examining complexity, the secrets of holy texts and even morality. Art explains how energy is reshaping geopolitical alliances, which leaders understand the reality of our situation, and why technology cannot solve our problems.
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