Trash shows how we are abusing our planet
Online Quote:Trash shows how we are abusing our planet
Photo: INLSA
August 09, 2009 Edition 1
The sideshow to the recent municipal strikes revealed once more the deep-seated hypocrisy in our consumer society as public condemnation of strike action, which made visible the dark underbelly of our "modern" and "civilised" society, knew no bounds.
I refer to public reaction when faced with rubbish produced in the name of economic growth, prosperity and "sustainable development".
As any cursory observation would show, the "success" of our consumer society is directly related to the amount of waste, rubbish and pollution we produce. We should have sung and danced in the streets to celebrate our "success" story.
Furthermore, the irony in all of this is that much of the reaction to this visible rubbish came from a segment of our society that is directly responsible for more insidious and life-threatening forms of pollution.
I refer here to those who, for example, drive cars, whose homes are designed to use potable water (our most precious resource) to flush away human waste, and whose purchases and investments directly support the petrochemical and agrochemical industries.
top.DisplayAds('SquareL', 13, 3013); What's worse? Walking down a litter-strewn street or inhaling a cocktail of exhaust fumes, drinking E-coli- "enriched" water or consuming a product whose chemical footprint has created an ecological wasteland?
Ideally, none of the above should be a reality, but the fact that we react to pollution and waste only from an aesthetic perspective says much about the real status of 21st century civilisations.
Trash shows how we are abusing our planet
Photo: INLSAAugust 09, 2009 Edition 1
The sideshow to the recent municipal strikes revealed once more the deep-seated hypocrisy in our consumer society as public condemnation of strike action, which made visible the dark underbelly of our "modern" and "civilised" society, knew no bounds.
I refer to public reaction when faced with rubbish produced in the name of economic growth, prosperity and "sustainable development".
As any cursory observation would show, the "success" of our consumer society is directly related to the amount of waste, rubbish and pollution we produce. We should have sung and danced in the streets to celebrate our "success" story.
Furthermore, the irony in all of this is that much of the reaction to this visible rubbish came from a segment of our society that is directly responsible for more insidious and life-threatening forms of pollution.
I refer here to those who, for example, drive cars, whose homes are designed to use potable water (our most precious resource) to flush away human waste, and whose purchases and investments directly support the petrochemical and agrochemical industries.
top.DisplayAds('SquareL', 13, 3013);What's worse? Walking down a litter-strewn street or inhaling a cocktail of exhaust fumes, drinking E-coli- "enriched" water or consuming a product whose chemical footprint has created an ecological wasteland?
Ideally, none of the above should be a reality, but the fact that we react to pollution and waste only from an aesthetic perspective says much about the real status of 21st century civilisations.
This is a letter From a local newspaper I get, It is refering to recent municipal strikes we have had. Basically the people who collect our rubbish every week went on strike and marched through Durban really messing the place up with litter.
Basically this all along the path they marched, they empty bins along the side walks etc. (not sure if this is from the recent strike but the result was the same)
This is something I have been thinking about, we worry to much about the aesthetic, when it comes to pollution and environmental problems. But The letter says it far better than I ever could....
So what I am really asking is what do you think?
I have a pocket full of rainbows!
oooooh im so ambiguously camp....
EDIT: This video was, essentially, one long strawman fallacy where Penn & Teller decide to attack arguments & assertions that are often made at environmental rallies while neglecting to address the actual science. Bullshit indeed.
It is an indisputable matter of record that the Amazon rainforest is being rapidly eviscerated, that coral reefs are becoming barren, dead and bleached across the globe and that vast swaths of forest in North America are in the process of being destroyed by pine beetles.
Penn & Teller refuse to touch on those issues. Until they do, their brand of bullshit is not welcome anywhere I moderate.
Peace.
- Kevin R Brown
Veoh doesn't work in south Africa... that or just not me... i dont know either way i cannot watch it
I have a pocket full of rainbows!
oooooh im so ambiguously camp....
...How old is that P&T episode, out of curiosity?
I know that Penn & Teller have softened on their stance in this arena in recent years, as more evidence has gathered, but that type of outright... bullpucky, to use Maddow's term, is infuriating.
What of the absolutely visually conspicuous evidence of incredible environmental damage like the forests in Banff that are being eaten where they stand by pine beetles? Are you saying that this isn't happening?
What about bleaching coral reefs? That isn't happening either? It's all just a big optical illusion, is it?
The slash and burn tearing-up of the Amazon? That's just some fabrication? Part of the big Science conspiracy to take away your liberties and vaccinate you against your will no doubt?
There really are environmental crisis's. They really do need to be dealt with seriously.
Please don't fucking spread lies about them.
- Leo Szilard
The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.~ Joseph Conrad
http://cptpineapple.blogspot.com/
As far as I know Penn and Teller are completely useless when it comes to actual science or facts. They just plain don't check they're facts.
Not to say they're not great entertainers but their wrong pretty well ever thing.
Kevin earns himself a black mark for censoring opinions. Guess he's gone from being a dumb shit to being a dumb shit without having self confidence that has to censor those who disagree with his idiocy, even when he's right.
Proud Canadian, Enlightened Atheist, & Gaming God.