Industrialized Cyclist Notepad

Recent production gains in the US have been accompanied by an all-out propaganda assault, from industry and their pocketed pundits and politicians, to convince the public that (1) water-intensive extraction methods are environmentally friendly, and (2) that the new production associated with it is a “game-changer” that will lead to “North American energy independence” and all that. A quick glance at the numbers shows (2) to be a far-fetched notion at best. Still, the propaganda campaign seems to be working.

This is my favorite massive mis-apprehension out of several published mis-apprehensions populating the papers this morning:

“Gas prices are holding steady thanks to the fact that North American production of crude oil is expected to hit an all-time high within the next five years …”

That little un-checked nugget from Michael Vaughn at the Globe and Mail..

Leaving aside the interesting question of whether blatant mis-statements like this, which have presumably survived review by editors of major international publications, are deliberate lies or just lazy stenographic journalism — Is the built-up wall of ignorance now too thick and high to get past? It’s a green monster.

Should we try to break down the wall or is it just much too huge? Should we stand back and admire it in all its glory? Should we paint subversive cartoons on it? What?