David Warren Lloyd -- editorial column
  David Warren Lloyd's webfolio  
  • editorial column
• SEE Magazine
• MA thesis
• IASPM paper
• resume & publications
 • contact
• home 		Like it is

17 September, 2005
Sticking it to people who forward e-mails

Did any of you get the e-mail forward about sticking it to the oil companies by not buying gas on September 1?

If this was an isolated incident, I would leave it alone, and concentrate on something else in my monthly 600 words.

But a web search (for “stick it up their behind day”) reveals similar calls to action on May 19, September 10, and September 22. I even found mention of one in 1999. Thus, I discuss.

The problem with this idea is that it’s only changing the day we buy our gas on. We’ll drive just as much as usual, burn as much gas as usual, and buy as much gas as usual. The oil companies don't care whether they get our money on Friday instead of Thursday.

To affect gas sales, we need a “Don't consume gas” day. If everyone took one day off from burning gas, that would amount to buying one day’s worth less gas.

Many people do this all the time, by walking or cycling. Even taking the bus or a taxi, while better, supports gas-burning machines. The only way to reduce gas-dependency is to not burn gas: walk, cycle, skating, take electric cars and trains, etc.

Here’s an irony: drivers forward e-mails about gas boycotts, then mistreat cyclists--people who are actually committed to the drivers’ own boycott idea--by honking at them, yelling at them, and cutting them off. Do these motorists really want to stick it to gas companies? If they did, they would cheer on cyclists and city buses.

Now, it’s bad enough that people think this “buy gas on different days” idea would constitute a “boycott”. But what makes it worse is that the e-mail is so poorly written. The ridiculous language should raise red flags even before readers consider how silly the idea is. Let’s look at some excerpts.

Apparently, the effect of this boycott “HAS BEEN CALCULATED”. Who calculated this? Some nebulous Calcutron, selflessly calculating away for the good of North American air polluters?

“SEPTEMBER 1st HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED” Who signed what to make this idea “formal”? The Calcutron’s cousin, Signatron?

“WAITING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND CONTROL PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.” Actually, last time oil prices spiked, the National Energy Programatron stepped in. (Also, that’s grammatically incorrect. The waiting is going to happen, and may already be happening. Maybe you’re waiting right now yourself!)

“WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?” This expresses mistrust of people while committing to depending on them. If you don't trust someone, find a way to live without them. Anyway, the global energy crisis is hardly the Arabs’ fault. How many SUVs are there per capita in the Middle East? Air conditioners?

“WHO PAYS IN THE END? WE DO!” So make real changes. Get a job near home, or better insulation, or a Bicytron. Patronize businesses near your home. Buy things produced near you that don’t have to be shipped far.

“SO DO YOUR PART” This involves sacrifice. But when you consider that cycling costs far less (no gas, no insurance, no registration, no parking, fewer and cheaper repairs and parts, etc.), and gets you into better shape, cycling hardly seems like a sacrifice.

I hope I’ve illustrated that, like everything in life, the effect of gas high prices cannot be eased with a simple band-aid. Unfortunately, hard times require hard measures. Anyhow, if it feels like Mr. Oil is gouging you, just be glad Miss Katrina hasn't blown you a kiss.

[top]


 




Content and design of this web site ©2004 David Warren Lloyd