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I live in the front range of Colorado. There is a fracking epidemic out here in the areas outside of the metro area. Ignoring the "it creates jobs and grows th

I live in the front range of Colorado. There is a fracking epidemic out here in the areas outside of the metro area. Ignoring the "it creates jobs and grows the economy" argument, the oil and gas companies basically bribe communities to allow it. The town of Erie has a gorgeous new high school and rec center, and it is almost entirely paid for by fracking revenues. One of their summer festivals is heavily subsidized by the same industry. Given that most people think of only themselves, I am not remotely surprised that fracking bans or setbacks fail at a state level here.

nine_k 7y ago
"Bribing communities" or "being socially responsible and improving lives of people around"?
- toofy 7y ago
  I’m not sure if your post was meant to challenge op’s idea or support them, but it isn’t clear to me that your statement contradicts them in anyway. There are so many absolutely terrible things we could do which help us immensely in the short term yet ultimately lead to immense harm. The two often go hand in hand.
- Spooky23 7y ago
  Since the sole purpose of the modern corporation is to maximize shareholder return, its the former.
- earthscienceman 7y ago
  As someone who has lived in Colorado for his entire life and is closely involved in local politics: If your idea of "being socially responsible and improving lives of people around" is giving kickbacks to the local school to the tune of 0.0001% of your profit... I don't want to be part of your society. These businesses are absolutely anything but socially responsible.
golemiprague 7y ago
If the community was not happy with it from some reason would you also say that they only think about themselves? or is it going just one way when it is not aligned with your ideas of what is good or not good for the world? Maybe they think it is both good for them specifically and for the world because gas is much cleaner than coal?

nine_k 7y ago

"Bribing communities" or "being socially responsible and improving lives of people around"?

toofy 7y ago
I’m not sure if your post was meant to challenge op’s idea or support them, but it isn’t clear to me that your statement contradicts them in anyway. There are so many absolutely terrible things we could do which help us immensely in the short term yet ultimately lead to immense harm. The two often go hand in hand.
Spooky23 7y ago
Since the sole purpose of the modern corporation is to maximize shareholder return, its the former.
earthscienceman 7y ago
As someone who has lived in Colorado for his entire life and is closely involved in local politics: If your idea of "being socially responsible and improving lives of people around" is giving kickbacks to the local school to the tune of 0.0001% of your profit... I don't want to be part of your society. These businesses are absolutely anything but socially responsible.

golemiprague 7y ago

If the community was not happy with it from some reason would you also say that they only think about themselves? or is it going just one way when it is not aligned with your ideas of what is good or not good for the world? Maybe they think it is both good for them specifically and for the world because gas is much cleaner than coal?