Hi Wulf,

Here are the thoughts I've been working on...

STRATEGIES FOR DELIVERING THE ENERGY DECLINE MESSAGE

The energy decline message is unavoidably a 'disappointment' to the listener.

The nature of the message puts the explainer in a position of
power-of-knowledge over the hearer. To them, that can be shocking,
intimidating, distressing and repulsive.

Here are some ways that avoid those things.

ASK FOR 'PERMISSION' BEFORE TALKING ABOUT THE ENERGY DECLINE

The natural tendency is simply to excitedly, overpoweringly, blurt out what
you know, without protecting the listener. This typically causes
resentment, defiance and denial.

Instead, 'offer' to discuss the situation. Ask for consent to talk about it.

You might suggest you have something important to say that is pretty heavy
to talk about.

To retain a sense of participation and confidence, maybe explain that it
will call upon their personal strength and wisdom to help you deal with it.
Or perhaps reveal they will be needed by their family and workmates and
friends to cope with this problem, as well as everyone in the community at
large.

Genuinely find out if they are in the 'mood' to listen. If they say "No",
then stop right there.

You don't have their consent. It's likely they will ask later if they are
ready. If they don't. Let it go, get consent from others and talk to those
others. Word gets round indirectly anyway.

Resist the temptation to 'dump' it, unconsented, on the hearer.

But if they show willingness to discuss the situation...

HIGHLIGHT ENABLEMENT AND USEFULNESS (RATHER THAN DISABLEMENT)

The raw message of the energy decline suggests 'disablement' - personally,
professionally, and in society.

However, if you are careful, even disablements can be presented as stimulus
for personal change, different developments and opportunities. You can try
to relate those things to the person's abilities, skills, knowledge and
strengths.

EXAMPLES OF EXPLORING USEFULNESS

1. If it's a grocer, ask how to source stock from closer suppliers like
local farmers rather than import so much. Ask how we might eliminate
plastic bags, perhaps by selling canvas bags to take groceries home,
separating waste into compostables and dry waste, and using toe-press-lid
kitchen waste bins that don't need a liner. Ask about deposits on canned
and bottled drinks so they get returned for recycling. Ask for help about
bulk food, bring your own container. Ask, listen, learn from the grocers as
they relate the energy decline into their consciousness.

2. Ask the vacuum cleaner salesman about models that have reusable bags
instead of throw away bags that will become expensive or unavailable.

3. Query the office worker to see what work they think they can offload
work from the computer that doesn't actually need the computer to be on,
saving power. Ask how much paper printing they think could be eliminated to
save paper and money. See how much work could be done from home. Ask what
their workmates would be best to do if offered a four hour day at half pay,
or unemployment benefit.

4. Ask the dentist what kind of dental care is possible when supplies get
very short. How people cope, how suffering is best relieved, teeth cared
for in modest but good ways, such as in poorer countries.

'ASK' AND 'OFFER' RATHER THAN 'TELL'

Don't tell them, ask, and take note. (The message is getting through in the
background.) You can offer occasional corrective guidance from what you
know. But let them be the 'boss' of the conversation, not you. Best if they
ask you for energy decline details as they go along

AVOID THE TEMPTATION TO BLAME AND PERSECUTE

Avoid self-righteous 'bullying' and guilt on the grounds that someone is
not listening enough, or not addressing the problem. Everyone has
participated in the exhaustion of the oil and gas, mostly without realizing
it. Even we, who 'know', are still locked into the huge infrstructure of
petroleum-based transport, telecommunications and computers, industry,
business, agriculture and goods and services. There are few non-participants.

Also, the 'punishment' later for unwittingly or even knowingly wasting the
petroleum is going to vastly outweigh the 'crime'. Guilt brings despair,
defeat and inaction. Try to foster respect and comradeship facing a tough
future.

Remember, every new person has to go through the same process you did. You
can't expect them to 'know' instantly. It can take months to understand it
until it really sinks in.

ACTION CONSOLIDATES THE LEARNING

I've been very interested to notice people (including me, right now)
engaging for hours in 'practical actions' that help them fully integrate
the energy decline situation into their minds. They crave to make it 'real'
so they can have the relief of dealing with it, instead of feeling it's
nightmarishly intangible and 'surreal'. These things, all of which I've
done personally, can give genuine comfort and satisfaction:

- Telling family and workmates, the bus driver (and sometimes, anyone
who'll listen)
- Writing a summary of the facts and showing it to other people.
- Creating a new website and filling it with relevant information.
- Making a list of reference books and sources. '
- Copying an existing flyer and putting it onto 500 cars.
- Writing a letter to the paper about it.
- Making an energy-decline related submission to the city council opposing
more roading
- Starting a vege garden to be able to grow food at home.
- Buying extra insulation and installing it in the ceiling.
- Selling the house specifically to get one that's easier to heat or nearer
to work.
- Selling their shares in favour of safer government bonds.

Regards,

Bruce

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Bruce Thomson bthomson@...
20 Lyndhurst Street, Palmerston North,
New Zealand Tel. 64-6- 3577-773 or 3577-889
Mobile 021-176-9711 (omit that 0 if overseas)
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