Good line. The line that begets the majority of selfish, destructive acts I have witnessed in my life. That working for the good of others has no place without reward. I’m sure the Red Cross follows this mantra. This could be also applied to your recent articles about the poor state of sex in games, “I rescued you, now repay me with your body.”
The problem with such an idea is that it is ignoring the fact that humans, by and large, have become a self-destructive organism. The technology born of wars and conflict spills its fruit with its application. That the vaunted technology of today is good, only for today. That in time, it will create more problems that it solves. That it is the result of a culture of psuedo-intelligence which believes that it is great and its creations are great, without the caution such things should be approached with. But then, “Whats in it for me?” is all you seem to have to say about this, so I will take my concerns about the world elsewhere.

Ironically, I picture the GOP not saying anything because they don’t want to look unpopular, all the while the green movement will villify them for not “going green” and a few people in the GOP will indeed adopt “green” measures in order to look hip, trendy, or something.

The only thing that keeps either party around is that they are so spectacularly good at shooting themselves in the foot. If either party ever loses its penchant for self destruction it could wipe out its competition in a handful of election cycles.

For whatever reason, because we’re not foaming at the mouth over global warming, we’re obviously in favor of using natural resources irresponsibly, or so Algore would have everyone believe.

On one hand you have businesses that are quick to cash in on the “going green” concept, but the very idea of consuming MORE resources in an attempt to conserve resources seems to go counter to everything the green movement is about. So that’s a no go.

Then I have a fundamental problem with the idea that there are only nebulous benefits for doing anything. Back in the 90’s I remember a company talking about how much money it was saving by recycling, and Dirty Jobs constantly shows businesses that profit by making max use of their resources.

I don’t think individual benefit is a bad thing. I do think asking people to spend money without showing them the personal benefit is just bad marketing. Especially since the “Green movement” is actually pretty expensive. I’m sorry, but the guy working on an assembly line for $8 an hour driving an 80-something rustbucket gas guzzler probably doesn’t have the money for a new Prius. They don’t have the money to fix their home up with the latest do-dads or move to an energy efficient apartment.

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like a lot of the latest fads have been a direct assault on the poor. I don’t really understand that.

I’ve seen people unite behind a common goal if the goal is urgent and legitimate, raping legitimacy seems to be a ever more popular theme though. People just don’t buy in to hype, real or contrived.

My irritation is over the subculture it has created. It seems to demand sacrifice as if to atone and appease some angry god instead of relying on technology and a common idea to achieve something that is universally beneficial. The problem is many have adopted an “end justifies the means” attitude where it is essential and “okay” to mislead and incite irrational fear if the result is a healthier world. I’m pretty crass, but I respect the abilities of humanity more than that because if I don’t, I would fall in to the mindset that people are just a plague on the globe (far too many think this already) and that leads to draconian measures being instituted instead of inspiring others to create.

My belief is that the answer to making a better world is out there but these random, feel-good approaches only stifle and distract from the people who are trying to make it happen. I’m hardly what you would call a green person, I just like efficiency and getting the best return on an investment so it can be reused later. Thats not going to happen in this state of mind where we mandate things using fuels and additives made from the very food we eat.

As for the entire “I’m green” crowd, I have little use for them because most spout one-liners and trite soundbites while acting smug about their decision to engage in said frivolous behavior. I’m amazed that many will concede their efforts have little or no impact, but they “feel” good about doing “something”. I was raised to believe that spinning your wheels was a waste of time you should avoid, let alone take pride in.

It reminds me of those punk and goth types we see on campuses. They rebel against society by buying their clothing and body piercing from companies that are traded on Nasdaq. The irony is so thick and delicious it practically comes with it’s own frosting.