『Abstract
This article documents that the hydrogen economy continues to
attract significant attention among politicians, the media, and
some academics. We believe that an explanation lies in the way
that the hydrogen economy fulfills psychological and cultural
needs related to a future world where energy is abundant, cheap,
and pollution-free, a “fantasy” that manifests itself with the
idea that society can continue to operate without limits imposed
by population growth and the destruction of the environment. The
article begins by explaining its research methodology consisting
of two literature reviews, research interviews of energy experts,
and the application of symbolic convergence theory, a general
communications theory about the construction of rhetorical fantasies.
We then identify a host of socio-technical challenges to explain
why the creation of a hydrogen economy would present immense (and
possibly intractable) obstacles, an argument supplemented by our
research interviews. Next, we employ symbolic convergence theory
to identify five prevalent fantasy themes and rhetorical visions
- independence, patriotism, progress, democratization, and inevitability
- in academic and public discussions in favor of the hydrogen
economy. We conclude by offering implications for scholarship
relating to energy policy more broadly.
Keywords: Hydrogen economy; Symbolic convergence theory; Fuel
cells』
1. Introduction
2. Research methods
3. The socio-technical difficulties facing the hydrogen economy
4. The fantasy themes and rhetorical vision of the hydrogen economy
4.1. Inevitability
4.2. Independence
4.3. Patriotism
4.4. Progress
4.5. Democratization
4.6. Symbolic cues
4.7. Rhetorical vision
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Appendix A. Research interviews conducted for this project
References