What is the purpose of this site?
Peak Oil has the potential to yield devastating consequences in every person's life. This site is designed to help readers prepare for a world of scarcity in a carefully reasoned manner by exploring post-Peak Oil lifestyles, sharing knowledge, and developing sustainable communities.
How do I use this site?
PeakOilDesign contains several tools to aid in developing post-Peak Oil communities. The front page features the original PeakOilDesign blog, used to present Systems Engineering design strategies for Peak Oil, sustainability news, updates on design projects, and other relevant thoughts. Feel free to write comments in response to the posts or other commenters.
The Community Organization Forums provide an opportunity for people to communicate with one another in an attempt to build communities. Users can provide detailed information about their skills and resources (via their user profile) and look for compatible communities. Established communities can provide information about themselves and run their own forums -- either to discuss internal issues or recruit new members.
The Guilds enable people to gain expertise in specific fields and discuss advanced topics with one another. Newbies and experts alike can share their experiences, failures, successes, and questions.
Registered users have the option of starting their own blogs on PeakOilDesign. These can be used to share projects, ideas, or concerns. POD Blogs are an ideal place for discussing the design of your house, garden, or community, and receive feedback from the POD community.
What is Systems Engineering?
Systems Engineering is an approach to defining all required aspects of a system by a comprehensive life-cycle analysis. It is an iterative technique that requires individuals from many different specialties in order to succeed. On PeakOilDesign, Systems Engineering is used as a tool for organizing and making sense of all the scattered information we need to not only survive the future, but thrive.
For an introduction to how Systems Engineering is used here, check out the first three blog posts and take a look at the projects we're developing.
Who is PeakEngineer?
I am an Air Force engineer (formerly with NASA) deeply concerned about Peak Oil, global warming, and the host of other crises we currently face. My background is in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, and Systems Engineering. I recently moved to Yellow Springs, Ohio with my family from Florida.
I choose not to display my real name for a couple of reasons. While I am complying with the federal law governing civil servants (the Hatch Act), it's probably best for my government career if I refrain from publishing my name. Also, topics as controversial as Peak Oil can invite unwelcome attention. Call me paranoid, but after working in the government, I've learned a little paranoia is healthy.
[Please note that any opinions found on this site are my own and not representative of NASA or the U.S. government.]
