Squeaky Wheels and The Price Of Oil

by Eric Hancsak
July 15, 2005

In the relatively new and ever growing world of the internet, it has become much easier to make your opinion heard. Sick of the war in Iraq? Email your congressmen. Bad service at the department store? Email the manager. Found a mouse in your bottle of beer? Email the brewery. Have a sitcom idea? Email the network. No matter how serious or mundane the cause, the internet gives you the power to speak up.

In the last year or 2, one of the more popular forms of expressing the opinions of the masses has been the online petition. Simply a modern version, it gives one the opportunity to "sign" his or her name to a cause without answering the door, or for that matter, making any effort at all. The "cause" comes to you.

I was never a "letter writer" until the advent of the internet. Now, I "write" all the time. I frequently write to my congressmen to voice my opinion on an issue. I'll write to the author of an article if I feel strongly. I'll also write to customer service if I feel a product or service I received requires comment. But more recently, I have found myself signing a lot of online petitions. Afterward however, I find myself wondering, "will this have any effect?" I am fearful that this ease of communication and expression is diluting the message. Kind of like that girl at work that gives you her unsolicited opinion on everything. Pretty soon you stop listening. But, I suppose, as they say, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil."

I was touched and inspired by the outpouring of support shown around the world during the Live 8 concerts earlier this month. To get their message across, Live 8 organizers used an online petition. At one point during the day over 16 million people had signed. The final number, I do not know, but suffice it to say it will be impressive.

Just last week, after Live 8, during the G8 summit, the 8 leaders announced $50 billion in aid to Africa. Did the 16 million plus that signed the Live 8 petition have an effect on the G8's decision? Were the leaders of the G8 hearing our "squeaky wheel?" I'd like to think so. If nothing else I know my name is attached to something I believe in.

In the age of constant contact, speaking your mind has never been easier. Take advantage of it. And, if we all become squeaky wheels, our leaders are going to need a lot of oil. But be careful. Choose your battles. As their demand for oil goes up, so might the price!