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Classic whataboutism. The existence of problem A doesn’t cancel out problem B. Car exhaust being harmful doesn’t suddenly make strong marijuana smoke in public

Classic whataboutism. The existence of problem A doesn’t cancel out problem B. Car exhaust being harmful doesn’t suddenly make strong marijuana smoke in public acceptable, especially around kids.

ndsipa_pomu 9mo ago
I don't think it's whataboutism to point out the far bigger problem. There's evidence to show that vehicle pollution leads to respiratory issues in children and certainly reduces life expectancy. Meanwhile cannabis smoke has not been shown to have anything near that level of toxicity and is certainly less common. It hardly makes any sense to focus on the far smaller issue that doesn't seem to cause any issues apart from pearl clutching.
- andreygrehov 9mo ago
  The problems can and do co-exist. The list is endless and that's why it's whataboutism.
  - ndsipa_pomu 9mo ago
    I disagree as the air quality issue is dominated by vehicle pollution. The smell of cannabis in open areas is hardly even worth discussing as it's such a minor issue. Putting effort into addressing a minor issue when there's life threatening air pollution issues would be completely inappropriate and misguided. Whataboutism would be more like comparing cannabis odour to people who fart in lifts.
    - andreygrehov 9mo ago
      You're arguing a point I didn't make. I didn't bring up air quality or pollution policy at all. I brought up a very specific, lived experience: my wife walking our newborn and being exposed to a strong, pervasive cannabis smell in our own neighborhood. These two issues can coexist, but they're in completely different universes. Long-term air quality and vehicle pollution are systemic public-health problems. This is about basic courtesy and reasonable behavior in shared public spaces, especially around infants. One does not negate or diminish the other.
      - ndsipa_pomu 9mo ago
        I could make the point that pollution by vehicles is also about basic courtesy and reasonable behaviour in shared public spaces, but it has become so normalised that I don't think you'll be convinced. However, I do agree that people should be more wary around children and not subject them to second-hand smoke. The problem is that cannabis has such a strong smell that the smell is noticeable even when the amount of smoke exposure is likely not measurable.
        andreygrehov 9mo ago
        We are finally on the same page.

Classic whataboutism. The existence of problem A doesn’t cancel out problem B. Car exhaust being harmful doesn’t suddenly make strong marijuana smoke in public acceptable, especially around kids.

ndsipa_pomu 9mo ago

I don't think it's whataboutism to point out the far bigger problem. There's evidence to show that vehicle pollution leads to respiratory issues in children and certainly reduces life expectancy. Meanwhile cannabis smoke has not been shown to have anything near that level of toxicity and is certainly less common. It hardly makes any sense to focus on the far smaller issue that doesn't seem to cause any issues apart from pearl clutching.

andreygrehov 9mo ago
The problems can and do co-exist. The list is endless and that's why it's whataboutism.
- ndsipa_pomu 9mo ago
  I disagree as the air quality issue is dominated by vehicle pollution. The smell of cannabis in open areas is hardly even worth discussing as it's such a minor issue. Putting effort into addressing a minor issue when there's life threatening air pollution issues would be completely inappropriate and misguided. Whataboutism would be more like comparing cannabis odour to people who fart in lifts.
  - andreygrehov 9mo ago
    You're arguing a point I didn't make. I didn't bring up air quality or pollution policy at all. I brought up a very specific, lived experience: my wife walking our newborn and being exposed to a strong, pervasive cannabis smell in our own neighborhood. These two issues can coexist, but they're in completely different universes. Long-term air quality and vehicle pollution are systemic public-health problems. This is about basic courtesy and reasonable behavior in shared public spaces, especially around infants. One does not negate or diminish the other.
    - ndsipa_pomu 9mo ago
      I could make the point that pollution by vehicles is also about basic courtesy and reasonable behaviour in shared public spaces, but it has become so normalised that I don't think you'll be convinced. However, I do agree that people should be more wary around children and not subject them to second-hand smoke. The problem is that cannabis has such a strong smell that the smell is noticeable even when the amount of smoke exposure is likely not measurable.
      - andreygrehov 9mo ago
        We are finally on the same page.