<Drumbeat: May 3, 2009 The Oil Drum Drumbeat: May 4, 2009>

89 comments on Peak Oil and Mass Communication

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

| Show without comments | PDF version

kevinaugustine on May 3, 2009 - 9:15am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top

Short, concise answers is the successful strategy for communication in the 21st century.

See Chris Nelder's Peak Oil Media Guide for a start.

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/4291

It's all about public relations and packaging the message to reach a wider audience. America is a land of reckless consumption and given our evolutionary past, both recent and distant, this is a tough survival habit to break.

Like the Soviet transition to capitalism, the answer for America may be based the next generation- raised on consumption awareness and reduction. If that's true us baby boomers have been hopelessly and irremediably indoctrinated.

Kevin Walsh
Chicago Peak Oil

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Thaicoon on May 4, 2009 - 5:01am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hi Kev; You wrote

"Like the Soviet transition to capitalism, the answer for America may be based the next generation- raised on consumption awareness and reduction. If that's true us baby boomers have been hopelessly and irremediably indoctrinated."

Every person is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. However, I would be careful to make generalisations like that. I am a boomer. I buy what I absolutely need, do not have debt for anything of any kind, and everything I 'own' could almost be put in the box when I go six foot under (I will not be cremated bcause of energy and pollution ethics).

I think that we should look at why a major global issue like Ozone depletion was so successful. Perhaps there may be a few pointers there on how we can positively act on Peak Oil awareness and action. On the other hand. Do we really want people running around in panic when they realise humanity is in a box canyon with overpopulation smoking us out at one end and resource depletion firing arrows from above?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
kevinaugustine on May 4, 2009 - 3:52pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hi Thaicoon,

You're absolutely right and I apologize- I mean no disrespect. I was generalizing and making broad, sweeping statements, for which there is little room for nuance or sensitivity to fine shades.

I, too, try to live a low carbon life yet in my condemnation I condemn myself as well. I do what I can but it must be a collective effort.

Apologies again Thaicoon and keep up the good work,

Kevin

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

89 comments on Peak Oil and Mass Communication

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

| Show without comments | PDF version