How America uses energy

[ParanoiA]

Actually, I think if society is going to depend on its government to do everything, then yes it is probably the government's blame. Our country, however, is kind of a mixture of a socialist theme stirred up with a capitalist foundation. The result, is an inconsistent dependency on government or society.

 

I would blame the consumer first and foremost. We have the power and we choose to not to give a crap. Any efficient energy techniques and resources will not be explored and pursued as long as we don't then buy them and therefore help with the research and start up costs. Instead, as swansont has mentioned, we only care about how much it's costing us today - not how much we could save tomorrow.

 

I'm not letting us off of the hook. It's our fault.

[iNow]

But I certainly agree there's plenty of blame to go around, starting with a government policy that has steadfastly downplayed conservation, and instead taken a "just make more energy" approach, which IMO is horribly misguided.

 

It's also horribly dangerous and tenuous. If the President of the United States and all of the government which collectively falls under that umbrella cannot GUARANTEE multiple steady sources of energy to our country, our industry and society will collapse in a disasterous and rapid way. Alan Greenspan spoke of this very issue on Charlie Rose last night in context of his comment regarding the Iraq war being about oil.

 

 

 

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Instead, as swansont has mentioned, we only care about how much it's costing us today - not how much we could save tomorrow.

 

I'm not letting us off of the hook. It's our fault.

 

This point is further reinforced by our tendencies toward fast food. Quick, high calorie food makes our evolved pleasure centers buzz, but looking long term we are killing ourselves by ingesting such crap.

 

 

Not all diabetes is behaviorally (or "self") induced though.

[dichotomy]

I don't think I'm blaming a misinformed consumer, I'm blaming an uninformed consumer. And to the extent that they could be informing themselves, they deserve some blame. I'm blaming the cognitive disconnect of the CF bulb issue and of buying an SUV and then complaining that gas is expensive and the government should do something about it.

 

Misinformation absorbed by consumers comes from the 'trusted' sources whom really don't know the truth. I'm talking about big mouth neighbours, relatives, friends. People tend to listen to these 'trusted' sources as the font of all knowledge. Change this first, and then there might be social change. Other than that, Gov's need to regulate. Uninformed consumers think they are informed by big mouth next door. Misinformation is also beautifully spread by advertising and salespeople. Talk to the majority of salemen about the virtues of product X, then do your own research (which most people don't do). You will likely find a lot of false claims.

 

Remember that this misguided consumer gadged seemed like a brilliant idea at the time. I'm sure Auntie Debbie told her relitives it was essential.

 

http://www.museumofquackery.com/devices/shoexray.htm

 

"By 1970, shoe fitting x-ray units had been banned in 33 states including Minnesota and strict regulation in the remaining 17 states made their operation impractical. Believe it or not, this particular shoe-fitting x-ray unit was found in 1981 in a department store in Madison, West Virginia. It was still being used in the store's shoe department! When it was pointed out to the store managers that it was against West Virginia law to operate a shoe-fitting x-ray unit, they donated it to the The U.S. Food and Drug Administration."

 

They even make flourescent outdoor bulbs now. How freakin cool is that?

 

 

I bought a compact one of those in 1991, $24 Australian.