<Well, Hello Dolly! (Aw C'mon, Someone Had to Say It): Updated--Putting Dolly to Bed and Hoping She Causes Little Suffering The Oil Drum DrumBeat: July 22, 2008>

176 comments on Misguided Energy Policies

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Prof. Goose on July 21, 2008 - 12:46pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

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 Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

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 Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Thought banished. :)

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Nick on July 22, 2008 - 1:04pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

"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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176 comments on Misguided Energy Policies

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