In a facinating article on theoildrum.com, the author speaks about
swarming as a military tactic where the perpetrators act like bees. In
an instant, they all come out of the hive, attack with a force beyond
their numbers, and then quickly disperse.
It is this same technique that the insurgents are using in Iraq.
Although our military is far stronger- in numbers, technology, and
arms- the insurgents are causing us hell because they swarm. "Meet at such-and-such intersection at such-and-such time, swarm, then get the hell out." After the attack, everyone again splits up into their
individual pursuits and individual hives. Though, for an instant, it
seemed like the insurgents were thousands strong due to their
incredible localized force.
If you're stung by a bee, it leaves a chemical residue that signals to
other bees that you are an enemy. Once stung, you are more likely to
be stung. The more stings you endure, the more likely you are to
endure more stings. It is a positive feedback loop. In order to escape
you must get away and either cover the stings or wash them...
In Tallahassee, FL a few of us have been running into a brick wall
trying to get the local press (The Tallahassee Democrat) to publish
articles about peak oil and its implications. After several
submissions, they finally published one letter to the editor on the
subject of global demand outstripping global supply due to geological
contraints and the need for strong local leadership. Although they
gutted the part about "geological limitations" it's a start. What we
lack, is a "hive" of bees with which to swarm. I wonder though...
What if we were to coordinate, via internet, our letter writing,
article submissions, requests for peak oil mention, berating of local
politicians for failure to act, demands for film reviews of The End of
Suburbia, The Oil Crash and book reviews on The Party's Over, The Oil
Crisis, and calls for exploring a lower energy life style... What if
we swarmed local presses? Through post? Through email? Through calls? Through visits? What if we collectively demanded of our local presses (in turn) to give the subject serious consideration in the Sunday papers? What if we berated 100 local presses in the course of this year to publish serious articles describing (not debating) Peak Oil,
it's implications and what we should be doing about it.
Look, our numbers be few, but our might is strong. "The people united, will never be defeated." There is a reason for such words. Their truth lays in the strength of swarming.
Look, do what you will. I'm starting on the Tallahassee Democrat.
Perhaps you'll join me.
Please provide me ([email protected]) with the contact information for your local papers/new services. If you do, I will also contact those news services.
Then Tallahassee Democrat can be reached by the following methods:
phone: (850) 599-2100
address: 277 N. Magnolia Drive Tallahassee, FL 32301
President and Publisher (Patrick Dorsey): [email protected]
Executive Assistant (Jesse McKenzie): [email protected]
Editorial Associate Editor (Bill Berlow): [email protected]
And finally, an online comment/letter/info request form:
http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/se ... RSERVICE03