*

Here's something I've found useful:

STRATEGIES FOR DELIVERING THE ENERGY DECLINE MESSAGE,
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The energy decline message is an unavoidable 'disappointment' to many listeners.

The nature of the message puts the explainer in a position of power-of-knowledge over the hearer. It's unlike professional situations- with say, a docter or lawyer, where we go in expecting that thing we hear might be shocking and intimidating- or distressing and annoying.

Here are some ways to maybe avoid those things.

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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, they may ask later when they are ready. If they don't- Let it go, get consent from others and talk to those others. Word gets round indirectly- the water cooler efftect.

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

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

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HIGHLIGHT EMPOWERMENT 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- and opportunity.

You can try to relate those things to the person's abilities, skills, knowledge and strengths.

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EXAMPLES OF EXPLORING USEFULNESS

1. At the grocery store, ask how they might source stock from closer suppliers like local farmers, rather than import from far away- would it make sense for them to do that?

Ask how why people "need" plastic bags.

Ask for about bulk food- why do some stores have it and others don't?

Ask, listen and learn from grocery store employess- and see if they have insight. My bet would be that they do. -

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2. Query your officemates about energy and waste- Get creative! I bet you they'll have good ideas.

Have you all heard of Total Reclaim?

I hadn't- it's very cool.

http://www.totalreclaim.com/

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3. Ask your dentist- what sort of dental care is possible when finances are dysfunctional- or supplies run short.

How do people cope, how suffering is best relieved, how can people care for their teeth in modest, healthful ways?

Chances are- your dentist has thought about this- and maybe even participates in programs like:

Mobile Dental: Pacific Northwest, USA

http://nwti.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=what_mobile

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

This is really hard- I'm at the lower 20% of the class at this-

Instead- ask some questions here and there, in the course of conversation- actively listen or maybe even take some notes. (The message is getting through in the background- and you're empowering each other in the process.)

You can offer occasional comments from what you know. But let them be the 'boss' of the conversation, not you. Best if they ask you for details as they go along.

(like I said- this one's really hard- and may not apply to certain situations and certain kinds of people- Karen Minnis (R) Gresham, for example).

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AVOID THE TEMPTATION TO BLAME AND PERSECUTE

Avoid self-righteous 'bullying' and purveying guilt- people who watch and read the so called "mainstream media are listening- but what they hear is distorted.

Everyone has participated- we all waste oil and gas, we all discount the future- mostly without realizing it.

All of us- we 'know', and yet we're still locked into the huge infrstructure of petroleum-based transport, telecommunications & computers, modern medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, business, agriculture- name the good or service. There are very few non-participants.

Also- avoid 'punishment' type memes for kowningly or unwittingly wasting resources.

Guilt brings despair, defeat and inaction. Try to foster respect and comraderie instead-

When I tell people about VBC, for example- they can feel how cool it is- they so want to be a part of it- they wish there were things like that in their communities.

Remember though, every person has to go through the same or similar processes that we all did-

We can't expect anyone- no matter how cool they are, to just believe us and wham bang- have an epiphany and understand.

It takes reflection and it takes observation and confirmation- and the evidence is there. Have patience and respect for most people- especially the ones you know and care for.

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ACTION CONSOLIDATES LEARNING

I've noticed lots of people- both in America and abroad- doing little things almost intuitively- Practical actions- natural capitalism- call it what you will. These things help us integrate what we intuit about energy economics into our everyday lives.

Even people who seem to live in the "consensus trance," on certain levels- they really don't.

There's a flaw in the House that Jack Built- lots of us learned that lesson as little kids- and it's still there.

There's something inside- we crave to run with it- make it 'real' so we can tangibly deal with it, instead of feeling helpless against our worst nightmares.

It's a very human response.

(Think- VBC the Village Building Convergence- City Repair and making a commitment to ride to work- there are tons of specific little things- yet in general, it seems to me that it's about choosing to lessen our ecological footprints)

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WHAT KINDS OF ACTION THINGS MIGHT HELP

I figure that's an open question- I sure haven't done enough-
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Credits to the original poster who I've adapted this from:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/energyresources/message/54336

And to SaintBryan for citing it in a longer piece:

http://saintbryan.livejournal.com/204109.html?mode=reply