The Oil Drum | Misguided Energy Policies

176 comments on Misguided Energy Policies

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mikeB on July 21, 2008 - 12:36pm

OK. Suit yourself. You're a good writer and probably can get good mileage out of the addiction metaphor.

But I don't buy it.

An addiction is a biological dependence on a substance that could be completely eradicated from one's life, unlike energy, which must come in some form. One doesn't need a substance to replace the alcohol, the way one need vast quantities of SOMETHING to continue to run one's highway, heating, and food systems.

My poor neighbor literally can do nothing to "get off" her furnace. She's on meals on wheels!

You say "we" have made oil the cheap option, and that may be the key to seeing where the metaphor breaks down: addiction is about one individual's body. There is no "we" that has forced the alcoholic into his addiction.

My last word: alcoholism/addiction is to oil dependence as a flagellum is to planet Saturn.

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Prof. Goose on July 21, 2008 - 12:46pm

Yes, food, energy, etc., they are all necessities. That makes the true framing of this problem even more dire and complex than is presented by the addiction metaphor.

So, I hear what you're saying, but you are making it sound like Robert is being intentionally obtuse in his usage of the terms.

Addiction may not be the most accurate frame in this case, but it is the easier frame to understand for many--and it is probably 60 or 70% valid.

Perhaps in an informed group like this, the addiction frame doesn't work. Or it may be better said that we are addicted to the "easy" nature of oil? or addicted to the lifestyle it currently provides?

Even in the cartoon up top, Uncle Sam represents a lot of different ideas. We can deconstruct what all of that means, but we can also get the simple message: there is a problem and it needs to be addressed by means other the providing more of what causes the disease.

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mikeB on July 21, 2008 - 1:04pm

So, I hear what you're saying, but you are making it sound like Robert is being intentionally obtuse in his usage of the terms.

Banish the thought!

I wish him luck navigating this troublesome trope (as it were).

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Prof. Goose on July 21, 2008 - 1:28pm

Thought banished. :)

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Nick on July 22, 2008 - 1:04pm

"Or it may be better said that we are addicted to the "easy" nature of oil? or addicted to the lifestyle it currently provides?"

That suggests there's something wrong with "easy", or a "lifestyle" of inexpensive, abundant material posessions.

I would agree that we need to bite the bullet and invest in our future by replacing oil with energy sources that are more sustainable; reduce our impact on the planet; and move beyond trying to achieve happiness solely through posessions, but I'm troubled by the implication that there's something morally wrong with abundant energy and prosperity per se.

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Robert Rapier on July 21, 2008 - 1:04pm

An addiction is a biological dependence on a substance that could be completely eradicated from one's life, unlike energy, which must come in some form.

And there's the rub. Energy. We may need energy, but energy comes in many forms. I hope we change out an oil addiction some day for a more desirable addiction to solar power.

Think of this in terms of food. A person can be addicted to sugar. This isn't changed by the fact that they require food for survival. Just as all food is not sugar, all energy is not oil.

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dzlsabe on July 21, 2008 - 9:52pm

And thats what virtually everyone needs to develop...FLEXIBILITY. One is "addicted" when the only way to heat the home is an obselete oil furnace. Or the way over-powered petrol/diesel swilling vehicle. Or living in a exurb/suburb way away from your job/public trans.

My current fav gripe is the lack(in this market) of high-quality ULSDiesel. Ya cant have small, clean-running diesel engines without it. Without jumping thru a bunch of hoops. Many vehicles could easily be getting 30% better mileage.

And certainly most alternatives need to be pursued with gusto.

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Termoil on July 22, 2008 - 8:51am

My current fav gripe is the lack(in this market) of high-quality ULSDiesel.

Just like the smack addict bemoaning the adulterated cut rubbish that is pushed instead of the nice clean pure heroin...I've got it! We should invade the heroin supplying countries and get holdof their really good stuff. Now who supplies heroin again...?

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Wharf Rat on July 21, 2008 - 4:08pm

"An addiction is a biological dependence on a substance that could be completely eradicated from one's life (OIL), unlike energy, which must come in some form (electricity)"

"My poor neighbor literally can do nothing to "get off" her furnace"

So buy her an electric heater. Or a good sleeping bag.
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080720/FEATURES05...

TIA.

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eric blair on July 21, 2008 - 8:03pm

addiction metaphor. But I don't buy it.

Addiction would normally imply an unhealthy relationship.

I doubt any regular reader of TOD would claim the human - oil relationship is 'healthy'.

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176 comments on Misguided Energy Policies

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“Any coward can fight a battle when he's sure of winning, but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he's sure of losing. That's my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.”

—George Eliot