There may be a bright side, if people still support or move to the kind of DIY entertainment and recreation the Creative Class seems to favor, being engaged rather than impassive in our entertainment. Fewer $150 tickets, more street performers and small companies.

I also think there’s a qualitative change that may be longer lasting. If people move from a new car every 3 years (do people still do that??) to every 6 or 10, it won’t make GM huge again but will be less wasteful. In my case, I think we’re probably moving from 10-year to 15-year replacement, unless something goes bad. Same thing with clothes, etc.

The stimulus funding for insulation will probably do more to cut energy use than auto fuel economy in the near future. This was started in the 70’s and dropped after Carter, an incredibly shortsighted move.