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The experts were working with the facts as they were known at the time. Microplastic wasn't obvious. Most things, when they break down, aren't harmful. This isn
by JulianMorrison 7y ago
The experts were working with the facts as they were known at the time. Microplastic wasn't obvious. Most things, when they break down, aren't harmful. This isn't a problem of experts. This is a problem of hubristically creating a never seen before material and assuming it would have no impact.
- yeahitslikethat 7y agoHubris will ultimately kill all of us. We've known that for at least thousands of years, yet still neglect it. Look at all the praise for capitalism despite the fact it has destroyed the planet.
- lopmotr 7y ago> it has destroyed the planet. Using a hyperbole to justify another claim doesn't support that claim, it just sounds poetic to people who already believe it. What evidence do you have that hubris will ultimately kill all of us? Do you have a time frame for that prediction? If not, then it's a meaningless claim.
- yeahitslikethat 7y agoI rest my case.
- HeWhoLurksLate 7y ago> Look at all the praise for capitalism despite the fact it has destroyed the planet. Please, oh please, show me a system that has increased the quality of life for more people than "capitalism" has. I'm not saying that we shouldn't conserve- we should- I do- but there are limits, and things take time. If humanity had never built fires because they pollute, we wouldn't be here today. If coal had been prohibited, people would probably still be burning trees as the main source of their energy.
- yeahitslikethat 7y agoIf we weren't here, that'd be a good thing.
- mooseburger 7y agoIf we weren't here, there would be no such thing as 'good', as that is an entirely human construct.
- dang 7y agoMaybe so, but will you please not post unsubstantive comments to Hacker News? We're particularly looking to avoid generic, a.k.a. tedious, ideological tangents. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html