This is a nice, low key and thoughtful lecture. I think the most important points that there is no real replacement for liquid fuels and that a total overhaul of our infrastructure is needed to survive the post oil/industrial society. Unfortunately as you point out, it is too late to expect a smooth transition because we have failed to plan and peak oil is already here. Land reforms and going back to having some fertile land to subsist on and reliance on community is like turning back the clock many decades. It will work for semi rural areas, but many areas are simply too dense without mass migrations. It will be a mess. I'd like to see new experimental communities built from scratch with careful attention to plot sizes, distance to schools (no busses), small solar passive homes with workshops and room for extended families, industrial coops Mondgagon style, barter and depreciation currencies (sort of a hybrid of many things) -- all in a low energy, fractal pattern that can be scaled up by simple replication. The home design would vary with climate -- In Canada, it would likely be wood frame with double sawdust filled walls, whereas other areas might be stone or hay bail or some other local, appropriate material. I suspect the population density will be very low though. Once done successfully, it could be documented and replicated with minor changes for different land and climate types. Universities ought to be spearheading this with a mandate to come up with something workable for their area.

We have the engineering knowledge to make a vastly improved dark or middle age lifestyle (notably a better understanding of health and food), but I have yet to be able convince anyone that is worth a try to just "do it", even in areas where crown land can be had for the asking because things are still too comfortable.

Peter