In her chronicle, Bertille Bayart addresses the pressing issue of rising fuel prices in France, noting that the recent conflict in Iran has already led to a significant increase in fuel costs by at least 15%. She illustrates the burden on French motorists, who are acutely aware of their diminishing bank balances as they fill up their tanks, a stark reminder of the economic implications these price hikes have on daily life. Bayart takes a critical look at the knee-jerk reaction of societies facing price surges, highlighting that the rising costs, although concerning, are not yet a reason to panic.

Bayart further elaborates on the average spending of French households on fuel, estimating it to be around 5 euros per day, which translates to approximately 1827 euros over the year 2023. The article suggests that while the initial impact of the war in Iran on fuel prices has been felt, it is still too early to determine the long-term effects and suggests that causing widespread panic would serve only to exacerbate the situation.

Ultimately, the piece calls into question not just the practical aspects of energy consumption and spending, but also the broader implications of economic decisions in democratic societies. Bayart implies that the idea of reverting to a 'whatever it takes' approach to manage energy crises may not be feasible or desirable in the long run, advocating for a more measured response as the situation evolves.