The outcome of any public discussion can never be known with certainty, but chances are that it will amplify stories that imply risks of higher oil prices. Experts may say that short-run supply factors caused the recent price increases, but the price increases will nonetheless lend credibility to scarier long-term stories.
由于会引发社会反应，所以即使是暂时的油价飙升也可能会造成长期的后果。高昂的石油价格促使公众就未来的油价进行讨论。任何一场公众讨论都不会产生一个明确的结论，但却有可能夸大那些暗示更高的石油价格所带来的风险的传闻。专家们或许会说最近的价格上涨是由于供给因素引起的，但价格的上涨无疑会给更骇人的长期传闻增加可信度。