Re: Why the peak oil debate is through

[Michael Perelman <michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I do not want to say much about the person's identity, but that individual is not a
deep lurker.
The problem with the discussion was not that it was insufficiently academic.  If
that were the case, Lou's response would be right on target.  Nor was the problem
that I wanted to cut off people's opportunity to participate.  Just the opposite.  I
wanted to encourage more people to participate.  Nor was the problem that certain
ideas have no business on the list.
At first, I thought the discussion was healthy. The problem was that the discussion
degenerated until it was mostly limited to two people, who were going back and forth
in a style that was increasingly becoming personal.   My experience is that people
tell me that they hesitate to jump into discussions because they do not want to get
involved in this kind of exchange.
I would've appreciated hearing from people outside of North America bringing their
perspective into the discussion.



--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
michaelperelman.wordpress.com