"In essence, our problem is this: we have no independent source of fuel, food, clothing, or shelter, but are forced to rely for them upon the good offices of benevolent leadership and the uninterrupted supply of vast quantities of energy and materials. The necessities are based on a world-wide ordering and presume upon efficient extraction, manufacture and transport. Moreover, apart from any political considerations, our entire material culture presumes the existence of an infinitely available quantity of cheap fuel. We have lately seen just how much a presumption that is."

from The New Pioneer's Handbook, by James Bohlen, 1975