I'd argue that talking about waste exposes the complexity (reality in simpler terms), while ethics or morals obscure it. When I say waste, I mean the waste in

I'd argue that talking about waste exposes the complexity (reality in simpler terms), while ethics or morals obscure it. When I say waste, I mean the waste in the widest sense: potential, future, life, etc. For what it's worth, since you mention it, I don't think that capitalism isn't compatible with an ecological society. It's just that if you're gonna replace all values with a price tag, you have to be accurate with your pricing. For example, the price of diesel has to reflect, among other things, the full effect on the environment.