11 ms·
The best example of this in recent history is probably lead. This sort of thing is likely to be multigenerational. If you ask the average person today why we s
by xyzzy_plugh 2y ago
The best example of this in recent history is probably lead. This sort of thing is likely to be multigenerational.
If you ask the average person today why we stopped putting lead in gasoline (or why we started, but I digress) I doubt you'll get a consistent or correct answer. I've no doubt the same could be said with respect to these plastics in fifty years.
- yapyap 2y agoWhy we stopped, health. Why we started, can’t be anything other than profit.
- titzer 2y agoDon't forget the part where we tried really hard to stop but denial and corruption meant we kept at it for decades too long.
- snozolli 2y agoWhy we started, can’t be anything other than profit. It was a technical issue. The lead prevented valve seat wear. IIRC, Honda was the first manufacturer to use hardened valve seats that didn't need lead. So, ultimately, you can say that it was profit, but then every human activity can be reduced to profit and it no longer means anything.
- mistrial9 2y ago> It was a technical issue. The lead prevented valve seat wear. no, that has been debunked. see https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/secret-history-lead/ https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/secret-history-lea...
- snozolli 2y agoHow does that article debunk anything? Yes, lead has anti-knock properties. There are other ways around knock, including chemicals that are described in your link. There was no way around accelerated valve seat wear until hardened valve seats became universal, which finally happened because lead was being banned.
- mistrial9 2y agodid you read the article?