Yet everything this family set out to (not) do would be easy, if only our society was built for sustainability, if materialism and waste was not so deeply imbedded. What have they given up, really, except the guilt that rightfully goes with our accepted (no, demanded!) lifestyle. The only struggle will be facing the rejection and ridicule that true (red white and) blue conformists will shower on these good people.

I bet they'll sleep at night anyway.

a liberal in redsville

It's a line of thought I embarked upon when I saw a programme advocating home composting toilets by a London-based guru. What would the social hygiene consequences be if 10 million folk got inspired to follow suit?

Anyhoo, while having every admiration for such efforts, and sympathy for the financially compensatory effects of publicity (though perhaps wondering how the interviewee got to the studio - maybe it's OK if someone else provides the transport. I tried pitching a video feed to one interested media outlet here. They didn't bite. But at least I persuaded them to send just one reporter with a tripod ) to plug the book (how many times does that little number rather put the whole deal in context? I'm guessing it's another, new, extra book on the topic? And will require buying, for money, and making, and distributing, etc) on an as yet unspecified non-impacting stock, I again feel a certain unease that the messenger may not be serving the message as well as he might.

Was pretty funny though.

At least Mr. Colbert will not be joining hordes of irony-free Americans making many extra journeys to congregate together at an event that is raising awareness about... what exactly?

As IPCC 2, the sequel, is now pointing out, it's the kids who will suffer first. Enjoy the party.

Do before you talk. Then share. If it's also fun and inspiring, people will want to read more. They may even be inspired follow your example.

Thats like trying to move a mountain, one pebble at a time.

The real solutions are the ones which require the Least lifestyle sacrifice, and Least public involvement.
While so many people focus on merely doing less, with less.

The real solutions are those that allow people do the same, with less.
Or better yet, doing More with less.

And those solutions aren't going to be brought forward by the public.
They are going to be brought forward by innovative companies,
and progressive government policies that make sure the marketplace is rewarding for these companies.

Pretty much, the government should be setting goals and incentives.
And the businesses should be developing methods to reach those goals.

Rather than paying for the government research and development, pay for results.
And hell not even just mere "science fair" results .
The companies should only recieve their incentives based on market sales.

And of course, place sundown thresholds on those incentives ;D
But make sure they last long enough so that investors feel confident.

In general, market forces are extremely powerful tools.
But they need leadership to make sure they develop technologies that are mutually beneficial to society and shareholders.


-David Ahlport