My unpopular opinion on the NYT young people and oil jobs article is that we shouldn't dunk on a few young adults but rather the systems that guided them to their choices https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/03/business/oil-industry-careers.html

The story itself is poorly done and lacks vital context on the industry's decline pre-covid, it's role in driving the climate crisis, decades of lying, and the fact that oil needs to be wound down rapidly. As an editor, I would've sent it back for major revisions

(And don't get me started on the glamor shots of young people next to fossil fuel infrastructure with synched color palettes. So many questions but mainly,,,,why???)

But when I read it, I saw a bunch of young adults who heard from parents, professors and the industry itself that it was a sure path to a career that would [checks notes] pay them good money in an increasingly tenuous job market

One started a junior college and took out $70K in loans, another is the son of immigrants. At least two are considering careers in efficiency and clean energy now. I don't see why it's worth deriding people's circumstances or their willingness to change

Were they naive? Sure. Are there some cringe-y things in there? Yup (though I shudder to think what 22 year old me would say to the NYT). Do I agree with their choices about making money in oil? I work in climate journalism (lol) so clearly no

Anyways glad to be back online and part of the Discourse even if I'm a day late