Finally talk about it?

Ludi · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:28 am Post subject: Finally talk about it?

My family (dad, stepmom, sister, brother in law) will be out here at our place next weekend for a Father's Day get together. I'm wondering if I should mention peak oil. Last time I brought this up to family, my sister had a nervous breakdown over it. I haven't mentioned it since. That was about four years ago.

I just don't know what to do, really. I don't want to ruin a nice get together by mentioning something stressful.

What would you do?

More details:

Dad is 77, in reasonably good health but pathologically avoidant of negative things

Step-mom has recently had a second heart attack and is kind of a paranoid loon (thinks I'm trying to "break up the family" if I ask my Dad out to lunch without her)

Sister is severely depressive (bipolar)

Brother in law is in good health, relatively level-headed, married to my loony sister and has a paranoid loon brother

My husband is on board with peak oil, in reasonably good health except for bad feet and hips, is level-headed and not loony

Me - a loon trying to deal with reality

What a swell combination, huh?
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Shannymara · Master Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 5428 Location: Oklahoma

Are they in a position to realistically do much about it if they do come to accept it? What's your end goal here?
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MD · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:36 am Post subject: Re: Finally talk about it?

Ludi · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: Re: Finally talk about it?

Jack · Dark Lord Joined: Aug 11, 2004 Posts: 5085

Listen first. Let them bring it up.

If they're like most, they know that there is a problem; they will not wish to talk about it. Imagine how one might react to incurable cancer - will they appreciate being reminded?

If they insist on the possibility of technological or sociological solutions, smile and nod. It's a lie, of course - but, using the cancer analogy, sometimes people need to believe in miracles.

Consider a back-end approach. Talk about how food prices are going up, and perhaps buying a little extra now would save money relative to future price increases.

Make sure the conversations are individual. Group dynamics are strange - people will display certain behaviors for others.

Good luck.
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Ludi · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Finally talk about it?

Thanks Jack, I think I will take your advice and not bring it up to them directly. I might just casually mention the price of gas and food, etc, if anything.
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IndigoMoon · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Finally talk about it?

Do not use the term peak oil. Start with a conversation about high gas prices, everyone can relate to that. Move on to rising food prices. Another given. Start touching on higher electric and natural gas prices. These alone can lead to a conversation about how to deal with the rising prices. In other words, talk about the effects of peak oil (the things that are happening or will happen because of it) instead of the definition of peak oil. Listening to what they have to say will tell you if they are 'getting it' or if you should change the subject.
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kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1243

Discussing Recession may work for you. Same preps apply, many similar problems. Recession is more mainstream and understandable to most people. Hopefully it won't send your sister off her rocker. If it does, try a lug wrench to calm her down,
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If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
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Accept the Facts.

Cashmere · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 1971

Ludi · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Finally talk about it?

nero · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:07 am Post subject: Re: Finally talk about it?

I don't recommend bringing it up at all. Your Dad sounds like he is financially secure so you don't need to worry about them, it doesn't sound like your sister is in the right frame of mind to handle the long term (scary) consequences so what good does it do. You can talk about the immediate issues of high gas and food prices and how they are effecting you but if you start talking about teotwawki it isn't going to help anyone at all.
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Biofuels: The "What else we got to burn?" answer to peak oil.

Lumpy · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:10 am Post subject: Re: Finally talk about it?

startswithearthquakes · Tar Sands Joined: May 27, 2008 Posts: 87

Ignore the idiocy of some people. Their shrewdness will be their downfall, and their punishment for it eternal.

diemos · Tar Sands Joined: Sep 23, 2005 Posts: 64

"Cashmere - What are doing here? Deciding who should live and who should die? Ludi is talking about her family ... these are not widgets."

Triage is an ugly thing.

Lumpy · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:24 am Post subject: Re: Finally talk about it?