7 ms·

It's clear that novelty introduced into complex biological systems has long-lasting, higher-order, unpredictable effects. The chemical novelties introduced by h

It's clear that novelty introduced into complex biological systems has long-lasting, higher-order, unpredictable effects. The chemical novelties introduced by humans has manifested numerous unforeseen effects, one of which has been the damage to the great barrier reef. Then humans come along again with another great novelty they'd like to introduce to this complex system (artificial clouds), which will also likely have "unpredicted", higher-order, long-lasting effects. >But this time it's good! >We actually understand what we're doing this time! >Trust us - we fully understand this complex system and the consequences of our actions now, really! >We understand with 100% certainty that this is a 100% net good and it cannot possibly have detrimental effects worse than those that have already occurred! We said the same things about coal and DDT. The skepticism around this artificial cloud plot is warranted and welcome. Let's just back off for a little while. Rather than add more novelty, let's try to undo some of what we've already added. Take the via negativa. Ease up on burning stuff. Let nature's clouds do their thing. Just relax for a bit.

lambdadmitry 5y ago
That's fine and dandy when you're a wealthy Global West citizen. It's not enough when you're a developing world citizen that too wants a big house with a car or two, aircon, potable water, hot water on tap, paved roads, safe urban environments and so on. They can't "just relax for a bit", they are furiously building a better life for themselves, and it's 7 (soon 9) billion people vs 1 billion of Westerners. Unfortunately the only way we have now involves burning fossil fuels and there is no viable alternative (yet). Effectively this statist position boils down to "screw you, I got mine", which is generally considered unethical. The only alternative is to run forward as quickly as we can, fixing things as we go. By the way, would you consider "undoing" ozone-destroying refrigerants by banning/reducing AC and fridge use, or would you prefer a technological, "positive" solution of ozone-safe refrigerants?

lambdadmitry 5y ago

That's fine and dandy when you're a wealthy Global West citizen. It's not enough when you're a developing world citizen that too wants a big house with a car or two, aircon, potable water, hot water on tap, paved roads, safe urban environments and so on. They can't "just relax for a bit", they are furiously building a better life for themselves, and it's 7 (soon 9) billion people vs 1 billion of Westerners. Unfortunately the only way we have now involves burning fossil fuels and there is no viable alternative (yet). Effectively this statist position boils down to "screw you, I got mine", which is generally considered unethical. The only alternative is to run forward as quickly as we can, fixing things as we go. By the way, would you consider "undoing" ozone-destroying refrigerants by banning/reducing AC and fridge use, or would you prefer a technological, "positive" solution of ozone-safe refrigerants?