LESSON TWO:
How Bad Can It Get?

Introduction
It's now been a few weeks since the announcement that the world was running short of oil. Fuel prices continue to rise in anticipation of when actual supplies start to run short. It's becoming clear that there is no quick fix to the shortage, but many citizens are starting to hoard fuel anyway. Tensions are starting to rise.

Part 1: Set the Stage

• Re-immerse yourself in the alternate reality: it's an oil crisis, there's not enough to go around.
• Now let's watch Kal's "Organized Violence" video:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmNXyipSEfs
  Also read Anda's webcomic about college students:
  http://anda-sf.livejournal.com/1271.html

Part 2: Take Action

1. Discussion Questions:

• Why are people angry?
• If the crisis continues for months or years, who is going to be impacted the most? (Who will end up with less oil?) Why?

Part 3: Lesson Activity

• Read one of these WWO citizen reports:

• It's spilling over... and it's not oil  http://fosedeitch.livejournal.com/1894.html
  
• May 3rd  http://clearest.livejournal.com/1358.html
  
• Stealing air conditioning?  http://eigenseide.livejournal.com/1562.html
  
• Break in  http://cycleboy-wwo.livejournal.com/949.html
  
• Unbelievable  http://youporkchop.livejournal.com/2043.html
  
• Gas station set ablaze  http://fallingintosin.livejournal.com/3311.html
  

• What about government action? Research the 1973 and 1979 oil crises in the U.S. Do you think the immediate actions (gas rationing, national speed limit) and the longer term outcomes (more fuel efficient cars, etc.) that the United States government implemented at that time will work today? Would they help prevent the events described in the WWO citizen reports? Why or why not?

• How bad can it get? What about these scenarios?

• Threat Scenario 1: Decline  http://aeldric.spaces.live.com/blog/
  cns!A859FF3D2F2384E4!115.entry
  
• Threat Scenario 2: Mad Max  http://aeldric.spaces.live.com/blog/
  cns!A859FF3D2F2384E4!117.entry
  

Part 4: Reflect
Now that you know that the situation is serious and that people are already showing the ugly side of human nature, what is going on around you?  Use the following questions to help guide your reflection:

• How are people in your region reacting?
  
• How are you involved?
  
• Based upon these events, how are you feeling about the future?

Part 5: Take It Further
Some of life's best lessons are learned by listening to the words of those who have experienced events that have shaped our world.  To take it further today, find a parent, grandparent, or family friend that remembers the 1973 and/or 1979 oil crises.  What exactly do they remember?  How did they have to change their lives? Are they surprised that the United States continues to be so dependent on oil?  Do they think the lessons of the 1970s have been lost, and if so, why?  Share the responses through your blog, a video interview, or a podcast.


Additional Resources

• 1973 Oil Crisis at Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_oil_crisis
  
• 1979 Oil Crisis at Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_energy_crisis
  
• 2000 British Oil Blockade ("The Petrol War")  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/924574.stm