Comments | valuesystem: Peak Oil - Getting Ready for the End of Oil

valuesystem

Peak Oil - Getting Ready for the End of Oil

Feb 03, 2008 01:30

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This article from the Grand Rapids Press is about peak oil and me, Aaron Wissner. I've noted in red all of the things that are not 100% accurate. Please read my commentary below the article to find the correct information. I "linked up" this article: the links are blue. One thing I've learned is that working with the press is a mixed bag ( Read more... )

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Comments 6

sir_bissel February 4 2008, 16:24:30 UTC

"Listening to him, you realize he is educated and articulate."

Best. Line. Ever.

After all, why -would- a computer teacher in a school district be educated and articulate.

valuesystem February 4 2008, 22:24:59 UTC

I guess that does seem to imply that there must be a different default assumption...

I think the trick with working with media is to already have the talking points all worked out. Maybe I do need another media training. I thought I didn't, but now, I think I do.

Impressed anonymous February 7 2008, 05:19:04 UTC

Hi Aaron

I followed an online trail of breadcrumbs to your article through a Google News Alert on Peak Oil. I've been reading up on the issue thoroughly (over 100 sites bookmarked on Delicious, a dozen documentaries viewed, thirty books read, reams of articles printed) this past year. Your 10-min video on the topic was one of the first I watched.

You do everything that I want to do about the topic - writing, blogging, organizing your online persona - so much better than I am (not) able. Why don't I just stick to reading what you have to say?

The positive aspect of Peak Oil is that a) I've come into contact with so many great writers (Richard Heinberg, James Kunstler, Dmitry Orlov, Ran Prieur, Daniel Quinn etc), and b) it has made me take a good long look at the way we're living as a species, and to think seriously about how I personally wish to live instead.

Bring it on!

William Lucas
New Zealand

Re: Impressed valuesystem February 7 2008, 11:56:08 UTC

Hi William,

Sounds like you've done a ton of research. I'm glad my 10-minute video was something you found useful. I only intended to publish the entire 48 minute version, but then when I notice that YouTube had a 10-minute upload limit, I decided to see if I could edit it down. That took a while, but I don't think I've ever watched the full 48-minute one again; and I watch the 10-minute one every few months to remind myself of the strongest points (and to see if I've changed position on anything).

I've added a few shorter videos that serve as supplements to that. The most essential is the supply-demand-price one. I made that after taking (for the first time) a college econ class back in the Spring. There are also a bunch of peak oil video clips that I've favorited, which are all quite good, in their own ways ( ... )

dtbrookes February 8 2008, 21:34:08 UTC

With regards to negotiating the media, you might want to start with George Lakoff's "Don't think of an Elephant." The basic idea of the book is that if you want people to get the message you want them to hear, you need to engage the right frames. Framing is achieved by choosing words from the "right" conceptual metaphors (the conceptual metaphors that support the frame through which you wish to frame the debate, if you know what I mean...) Anyway, even if you don't like his politics, the points he makes are well made. I haven't thought very hard about how to frame the peak oil thing, but it might be fun to try.

First, I would ban the word "theory" from the discourse, it's conceptually too closely connected to "opinion" and "hunch." Peak oil is a scientific theory like evolution (it's been tested, and verified, and has limitations), but calling it a "theory" leaves it open to attack in much the same way as the "theory" of evolution.

valuesystem February 9 2008, 04:12:19 UTC

Very good tips.

My wife has read the book, but I do need to read that one. I know Lakoff is a progressive, but I don't really know his politics other than that (and I agree, it probably doesn't matter).

Apparently, the current administration had a person similarly skilled in the use of language, so it is definitely an important and useful skill.

I agree the word "theory" is a week point. I'm going to work to get rid of that in my usage.