Think of the phrases that people used to say a lot until comparatively recently, like “get a room” or “talk to the hand”. These phrases go in and out of fashion.
Negative space, I think, is much more important than people imagine. I would guess we are probably genetically inclined to take more notice of whatI was thinking about this in the context of the recent spurt in oil prices, along the lines of: “The world can get by without oil … said nobody, ever.” The recent rise in oil prices would seem to affirm that statement. Yet, you could state the opposite too: “Burning fossil fuels is good for the planet … said nobody, ever.
For the oil companies, the problem is that “I love oil companies” is definitely something nobody has said, ever. As much as we depend on them, the externalities of using fossil fuels are now so obvious that the reputations of oil companies — which were never that great in the first place — are now solidly in the toilet. Just for a start, the industry is dominated by huge companies, cartels and huge state corporations, and has become a global geopolitical bargaining chip.
Global oil consumption dropped in 2020 at the high point of the Covid pandemic. But my guess is not by as much as people think. Global oil consumption rose every year between 2009 and 2019. The pandemic just took us back to the 2011 level. And from next year on, the gradual rise in global consumption is expected to continue, and is expected to break a new consumption record every successive year from 2023.
You mean like 'Nothing wrong with our team, but South Africa were better and the ref had a great game too'... said no Kiwi ever... ?