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. Then, if anyone provides me (email: nathan.ballentine@gmail.com) with the contact information for their local papers/new services I will also contact those news services. The Tallahassee Democrat can be reached by the following meathods:

phone:
(850) 599-2100
address:
277 N. Magnolia Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32301
President and Publisher (Patrick Dorsey):
publisher@tallahassee.com
Executive Assistant (Jesse McKenzie):
jhmckenzie@tallahassee.com
Editorial Associate Editor (Bill Berlow):
bberlow@tallahassee.com
And finally, an online comment/letter/info request form:
http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=CUSTOMERSERVICE03