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SE Examiner peak oil contest
Submitted by Emily on March 13, 2006 - 5:00pm.
This came to me from Robert:
"I was talking with Nancy Tannler at the SE Examiner Newspaper today. I told her about trying to rename peak oil to a more identifiable term. Like the republicans have been so successful with, Clear Skies Initiative, No Child Left Behind, War On Terror, etc.. We need a term that motivates people to listen. I think Randy White has also noted the need to do this in a recent posting on the Forum board.
Nancy offered to print a contest offer in her paper, if we wanted to do that and see what the general public could offer in terms of a rename for peak oil. I told her a contest usually implies a winner and a winner usually wants a prize... Any ideas.... She's open and on our side... She might even be able to help with a prize."
So, folks, ideas?
Relocalized Economy
I think the emphasis should be on local economy and governance.
I'm at a loss for catchy phrases that capture the goal of Regional Economic Independence.
Sustainable Bioregions
Healthy Communities
Perhaps we can tie this effort into our neighborhood challenge?
the Awful Truth
I've heard a lot about the name in discussions, and Kunstler even says he doesn't like to call it "Peak Oil." I don't know why, that is what it is. But a volunteer gave an attendee at his speech a PPO flyer, and the person (who had just heard Kunstlers entire speech) asked "what's Peak Oil?"
I think it is extremely important that we not mince words. It is one thing to say we need to have a sustainable society, or live on our daily solar ration because it's the right thing to do, it's another entirely to explain to people that we will HAVE to, we will have no choice ultimately, because the cheap energy we have grown accustomed to is going to come to an end.
I'm for
Peak Oil
the Big Rollover
Fossil Fuel Depletion
Energy depletion
Reverse psychology
How about:
"More Money For Toys" Initiative
The premise behind this would be to make changes to those areas in your life that can help you save money in energy cost and then they will have that saved money to buy more toys. Of course I'm being facetious but my point remains.
The name change must be related to "the end of cheap energy" so maybe using a thesauraus and finding other ways to put together the cheap energy statement might be a way of coming up with the new term.
end = stop, terminate, finish, bring to an end, put to an end,end up, finish off, close, halt, purpose, aim, result, outcome, objective, goal, base, bottom, point.
of = no results in search
cheap = contemptible, despicable, shameful, inexpensive, not expensive, low priced, economical, discounted, low cost, cut rate, on sale, bargain basemnent priced, reduced, shoddy, inferior, poor quality, second rate, substandard, stingy, tight fisted, miserly, mean.
energy = power, force, vigor, liveliness, get up and go, umph.
How about:
Objective Substandard Power Initiative (silly yes and it doesn't flow well, and I'm not saying this is the term thats going to work, but this is how you take a message and transform it. People don't think of oil when they think of energy. They think of gas, power, electrity. Hence, the success of the term "power down". It would be great if we could use the term "Power Down Initiative" or something like that that creates an image of less than before. People relate best to issues and terms that reflect cost savings, invokes individual/family security, or pleasant outcomes.
Ultimately
Ultimately, my point is to have fun with this challenge.
Acronimically speaking....
PORTLAND'S PLUG ENDS HERE - or PPEH kinda pronounced like pffft or pshaw or any other sound of a distainful sheesh!
I can visualize a symbolic map of Portland with a disconnected electrical cord laying "a inch or so" away" - if that makes sense in your head. We could even have little people pulling on the little plug to show active involvement.
Oh my head is having fun with this one.
Misi, in the mountains with lots of snow still...
what a great idea
Grandma,
I think that's a great idea. The picture of a plug being pulled on anyone's community is a very eye opening and reflective moment. Now if we can just come up with the right verbage to replace the term "peak oil", couple it with your idea for an accompanying visual, we might have that winning combination that captures the peoples attention and passions....Robert
Unplug Portland...
thanks Robert. and a continuation on the theme... maybe the name would be Unplug Portland and the picture would be a disconnected plug from various things, greed, pollution, oil, overconsumption, etc. and the other end of the plug's wire would look like a giant shovel (instead of the frayed end of the wire) with lots of little folks hanging on and working together. Picture just beyond the shovel a mound that turns into sustainability, localization, etc.
I guess it would look sort of like a political cartoon if I keep on going with this. I just wanted to make it clear that "Unplug Portland" would have many connotations besides unplugging the electricity. It's an "away from" but more importantly a "connecting to".
Misi
new name for Peak Oil
So far, I like Lisa's "Fossil Fuel Depletion" best. It says what Peak Oil says, but a little more clearly.
Jennifer Rueda
That's not the way to name something for popularity
The capitalists name a new product one of two ways: 1) hire a marketing and naming firm, such as Landor in San Francisco. 2) Conduct focus groups with their target customers, and show them some names to get their reactions.
A contest is a bit like masturbation... it feels nice, but ultimately, you're still alone.
So who is our 'target group?'
This isn't an easy question by itself.
Ben
PREP Team
Portland Reduced Energy Preparation (PREP) Team
The moral equivalent of war
A 'plug' is totally the wrong message. It implies electricity, and electricity is the least of the NW's energy problems.
Try reading a copy of Carter's old speech on the energy crisis. It has some real pithy phrases on what's happening now.... AND older folks (35 plus, usually) understand the ideas... they heard them already.
Speaking of which, what's wrong with 'Energy Crises" ?
Isn't that the point of the peak oil/peak energy problem?
And once again... who are you trying to reach? Old, young, decision makers, the poor, the middle class....
It deserves some thought, or you wind up with some awful slogan like the Democrats have.. 'together, we can do better..' something like that. Awful.
something about liquid fuels, food and transportation
I don't know what it would look like but in my eyes the three points that much be hit are: liquid fuels, food and transportation.
if not a plug
How about the nozzle of a gas pump with a hose instead of the electric plug? Peak Oil really is about oil based energy and all its derivatives. I think we are getting a lot of good ideas here. Its a combination of them that will eventually meet the peak oil rename goal.
I think the idea here was to create a marketing ad for general public input to get input from the readership of the SE Examiner, but its become the members of PPO discsussing the situation and that's good too... The conversation has begun.
I like that Randy defined his PREP suggestion with ways of implementing the campaign once its decided upon. I wonder if the greater Peak Oil movement has thought about this renaming issue and if there is a way to tap into their insights?
new name for Peak Oil
Okay, so we're brainstorming new names for Peak Oil. That's good, but what are we (or the Examiner) going to offer as a prize? A bicycle perhaps? Seeds, plants or gardening equipement? We could approach local biznesses and see if they would donate something "sustainable" like bike tune-up, local organic food or a local haircut/tax service/admission to ???.
Jennifer Rueda
PR for SUSTAINABILITY Yes
I guess I just think of the power of alternative ad campaigns that open up the mind to the present info/images that are inundating us constantly in the present media. To open this up to such a creative community can only bring a sense of empowerment in our ability to bring our own view viable. Options that strengthen our area are obviously a focal point along Division and other avenues. Embracing growth and looking at sustainable options that make the future seem strong. I look forward to hearing more.
Energy Descent
David Holmgren, recognized for his work in developing permaculture, uses the term "energy descent" to capture the situation that we will shortly find ourselves in. As a rallying cry, it doesn't have a lot of 'oomph', but it accurately and concisely conveys the idea.
http://transitionculture.org/?p=318
Also linked is an interesting article on Energy Descent Action Plans, which is essentially what the Portland Peak Oil Task Force is attempting to develop.
http://www.energybulletin.net/16859.html