This reminds me of many conversations I've had with my mother where my last statement was almost always: "yeah, that worked for your generation, but it's not that world anymore."
I think there have been huge shifts in thinking due to realizing that we've screwed up the earth. I think he's definitely got a point: someone in a giant Hummer is targeted, but people like me - driving a Prius and using canvas bags - are not. Thing is, my Prius and recycling habits are canceled out by all the technology my husband and I use, from five computers to a 50-inch TV and four game systems.
It's definitely pause for thought, even though the delivery is questionable......
I've been listening to a lot of programs on NPR which are discussing the oil and economy in different ways, and one of the central things is that the post-war/baby boomer method of spending the middle classes' new wealth is probably a huge contributer to the state we find ourselves in. Had we done something other than create long distance commutes and massive suburbs, we might not find ourselves in the situation we are in.
Moaning about how his kids won't get handed cars with big v8s is pretty short-sighted and, imnsho, hardly class warfare; not to mention kids haven't wanted v8s in a decade, they've all been tuning Japanese and German cars.
The definition of success is going to have to change and that might not be a bad thing in a global sense.
Your "greenness" may be offset by all the gadgets and whatnot, but the dude in the Hummer is not even trying. At least you try to make a difference, even if it means you have to start small.
To me, the article author's argument sounded like, "Everyone in the gang got to steal a car and go for a joyride, except Little Joe, and it's just not fair that he doesn't get to experience that sort of thrill, too. And while we're at it, I don't particularly like the way people tell us that stealing cars and joyriding is bad; it sounds like a moral judgment."
And I really like your conversation-ending statement.
Well, actually, my example is much grimmer than "stealing cars", but I'll leave this relatively light and fluffy one.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-06-02 07:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-02 09:19 pm (UTC)I think there have been huge shifts in thinking due to realizing that we've screwed up the earth. I think he's definitely got a point: someone in a giant Hummer is targeted, but people like me - driving a Prius and using canvas bags - are not. Thing is, my Prius and recycling habits are canceled out by all the technology my husband and I use, from five computers to a 50-inch TV and four game systems.
It's definitely pause for thought, even though the delivery is questionable......
no subject
Date: 2008-06-02 09:23 pm (UTC)Moaning about how his kids won't get handed cars with big v8s is pretty short-sighted and, imnsho, hardly class warfare; not to mention kids haven't wanted v8s in a decade, they've all been tuning Japanese and German cars.
The definition of success is going to have to change and that might not be a bad thing in a global sense.
no subject
Date: 2008-06-02 09:42 pm (UTC)To me, the article author's argument sounded like, "Everyone in the gang got to steal a car and go for a joyride, except Little Joe, and it's just not fair that he doesn't get to experience that sort of thrill, too. And while we're at it, I don't particularly like the way people tell us that stealing cars and joyriding is bad; it sounds like a moral judgment."
And I really like your conversation-ending statement.
Well, actually, my example is much grimmer than "stealing cars", but I'll leave this relatively light and fluffy one.