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This is a ludicrous philosophy. I suppose you also take no part in any activity that has any negative impact? There is an indirect negative impact of ANY mode

by rank0 5y ago

This is a ludicrous philosophy. I suppose you also take no part in any activity that has any negative impact? There is an indirect negative impact of ANY modern lifestyle. The really expensive impact comes from of industrialization and technological advancement. Clearly you have a device to write this message, as well as power and internet connection. You might use AC or heating, you might rely on supply chains for food. Own any index funds? You own minuscule pieces of companies that produce cars, tobacco, or frack for oil. Your very existence is expensive for the earth and for society. Same applies for your kids if you have any. Most drivers cannot practically manage walking/biking or public transit as their sole means of travel. Frankly that idea comes from a privileged and niche bubble perspective.

BrianHenryIE 5y ago
As I become aware of how my decisions affect other people, I do my best to minimize what I can. The four most impactful lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your effect on climate [1] are: * have fewer children * live car-free * become vegetarian * avoid transatlantic air travel I now live car-free and vegan. I've no kids, yet (maybe never). I live in California but I'm from Ireland - I'll probably take a flight home soon. So no, I don't totally avoid everything that can cause harm, but at least I try. What is ludicrous is using a car for journeys under ten miles. It is abhorrently selfish to do so knowing that your pollution contributes to sickness in people. People should maybe take a pay cut, or live in a smaller home, closer to where they work. But instead they trade the health of others for their own standard of living. ("some of you may die, but that's a price I'm willing to pay") > Most drivers cannot practically manage walking/biking or public transit as their sole means of travel. In a large part because of cars. Cars beget cars. Car companies conspired to shut down public transit. Now people in those areas need a car. Then it's held as a example of why we need cars. Urban sprawl was enabled by cars. Now people need cars to get to those areas. It's very difficult to find a problem that cars solve that wasn't itself caused by cars. What is ludicrous is to call how I actually live ludicrous. I enjoy a high standard of living. Without a car. [1] https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aa7541 https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aa7541
- rank0 5y ago
  So in your mind, despite being in the top 1 percentile of historic carbon output, you have the moral high ground for not owning a vehicle? Yeah those impoverished parents sure are pieces of shit for driving thier kids to school and commuting between multiple underpaid jobs. They should just take a pay cut and quadruple their commute time for the earth! Let me paint it another way: A vegan, car free, childless, software engineer in a big city has the carbon output of 100 Ugandan farmers. Why do you get to use electronics, power, internet, and take occasional trips to Iceland while everyone else is morally bankrupt for having a vehicle?
  - Osmium 5y ago
    The person you're responding to is asking themselves questions about the decisions they're making, the impact of those decisions, and if they can make better decisions to reduce the harm they might be causing. Is this so bad?
    - rank0 5y ago
      Yes. It completely misrepresents the actual complexity of the problem. Instead of discussing effective solutions like political activity the climate change debate gets dumbed down to reusable cotton bags and paper straws. The purpose here is probably not to be a “better person” but to inflate their ego while belittling others. What does it accomplish to shame drivers while simultaneously using AC and running water in the California desert?
      - BrianHenryIE 5y ago
        I replied to a comment about the detrimental effects of air pollution with how I try not to be part of the problem. If it were conversation about activism, I can talk about my engagement with the city council and contributions to relevant charities. If this were a conversation about energy use in California I could talk about the premium I pay on my electricity so it is from renewable sources. https://www.smud.org/en/Going-Green/Get-Green-Energy/Residential https://www.smud.org/en/Going-Green/Get-Green-Energy/Residen... Reducing car usage is, in that journal article I referenced, the number 2 thing you can do to reduce your climate impact. I have not misrepresented anything. You’re right about the water. That’s something I’m still learning about.

by rank0 5y ago

BrianHenryIE 5y ago

As I become aware of how my decisions affect other people, I do my best to minimize what I can. The four most impactful lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your effect on climate [1] are: * have fewer children * live car-free * become vegetarian * avoid transatlantic air travel I now live car-free and vegan. I've no kids, yet (maybe never). I live in California but I'm from Ireland - I'll probably take a flight home soon. So no, I don't totally avoid everything that can cause harm, but at least I try. What is ludicrous is using a car for journeys under ten miles. It is abhorrently selfish to do so knowing that your pollution contributes to sickness in people. People should maybe take a pay cut, or live in a smaller home, closer to where they work. But instead they trade the health of others for their own standard of living. ("some of you may die, but that's a price I'm willing to pay") > Most drivers cannot practically manage walking/biking or public transit as their sole means of travel. In a large part because of cars. Cars beget cars. Car companies conspired to shut down public transit. Now people in those areas need a car. Then it's held as a example of why we need cars. Urban sprawl was enabled by cars. Now people need cars to get to those areas. It's very difficult to find a problem that cars solve that wasn't itself caused by cars. What is ludicrous is to call how I actually live ludicrous. I enjoy a high standard of living. Without a car. [1] https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aa7541 https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aa7541

rank0 5y ago
So in your mind, despite being in the top 1 percentile of historic carbon output, you have the moral high ground for not owning a vehicle? Yeah those impoverished parents sure are pieces of shit for driving thier kids to school and commuting between multiple underpaid jobs. They should just take a pay cut and quadruple their commute time for the earth! Let me paint it another way: A vegan, car free, childless, software engineer in a big city has the carbon output of 100 Ugandan farmers. Why do you get to use electronics, power, internet, and take occasional trips to Iceland while everyone else is morally bankrupt for having a vehicle?
- Osmium 5y ago
  The person you're responding to is asking themselves questions about the decisions they're making, the impact of those decisions, and if they can make better decisions to reduce the harm they might be causing. Is this so bad?
  - rank0 5y ago
    Yes. It completely misrepresents the actual complexity of the problem. Instead of discussing effective solutions like political activity the climate change debate gets dumbed down to reusable cotton bags and paper straws. The purpose here is probably not to be a “better person” but to inflate their ego while belittling others. What does it accomplish to shame drivers while simultaneously using AC and running water in the California desert?
    - BrianHenryIE 5y ago
      I replied to a comment about the detrimental effects of air pollution with how I try not to be part of the problem. If it were conversation about activism, I can talk about my engagement with the city council and contributions to relevant charities. If this were a conversation about energy use in California I could talk about the premium I pay on my electricity so it is from renewable sources. https://www.smud.org/en/Going-Green/Get-Green-Energy/Residential https://www.smud.org/en/Going-Green/Get-Green-Energy/Residen... Reducing car usage is, in that journal article I referenced, the number 2 thing you can do to reduce your climate impact. I have not misrepresented anything. You’re right about the water. That’s something I’m still learning about.