750 Words →
The concept of 750 Words is simple: every day, you type 750 words—the equivalent of three pages—of stream of conscious, whatever you want, free writing. Your entries, which are private by default, can be exported at any point. (description via Lifehacker)
EARTHLINGS (official site) is a feature length documentary about humanity’s absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called “non-human providers.” The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (GLADIATOR) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby .
The belief that one’s own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all delusions.
— Paul Watzlawick
Ask stuff →
I know I already have a personal Ask Me Anything page, but I thought it would be useful to have one here, too— mainly for thought-provoking questions relating to stuff like philosophy, philosophical problems, sociology, social issues, psychology, human nature, and so on.
I’m not an expert on everything, but I’ll try to answer (or find the answer to) your questions to the best of my ability.
Society is dead, we have retreated into the iWorld →
An old, but still relevant article on technology— specifically, the iPod— and how we are ‘tuning in’ to our various technological comforts and ‘tuning out’ the world.
Sigur Rós - Popplagið (live version, from Heima) — Watch in HD
A roller coaster ride for your ears.
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.
— Abraham Lincoln
![Irony. Anyway, some thoughts:
I think the ultimate viability of electric plug-in vehicles will depend entirely on whether or not we get our energy from clean, renewable sources— otherwise, what’s the point?
“If they say there’s no emissions, they just don’t know where power comes from,” says Bill White, mayor of Houston, Texas.
Before manufactures start selling millions upon millions of electric vehicles (which is rather ambitious), wouldn’t it make sense to first; ensure that we have a smart grid in place that is actually ready to handle the inevitable strain of plug-in vehicles; second, make sure that the grid is powered by clean and renewable energy; and third, make sure that we have set up an infrastructure for these vehicles, i.e., battery charging/swapping stations.
Of course, being “green” isn’t as easy as purchasing a Prius. “Green” isn’t even a lifestyle, it’s a metaphor.
I think this whole “green movement” has it wrong in many ways. The goal shouldn’t be to sell “alternatives”— especially right now, when a lot of people are confused or unconvinced. The goal should be to try and raise people’s consciousness.
There is really no need to purchase so-called “green” products right now. While [some of] these products might be better for the environment, a majority of them are only going to benefit a few people in the short term. Society needs time to make adjustments— both mentally and technologically. But first and more importantly, people need to evolve a common understanding. We need to educate ourselves, enlighten others, and embrace the benefits of change.
Because at the end of the day, it is people, not products, who will deliver that change. Nonetheless, we shouldn’t try to change people, but rather, we should inspire people to change themselves.](http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kwxwi37ich1qa2jsgo1_500.jpg "Irony. Anyway, some thoughts:
I think the ultimate viability of electric plug-in vehicles will depend entirely on whether or not we get our energy from clean, renewable sources— otherwise, what’s the point?
“If they say there’s no emissions, they just don’t know where power comes from,” says Bill White, mayor of Houston, Texas.
Before manufactures start selling millions upon millions of electric vehicles (which is rather ambitious), wouldn’t it make sense to first; ensure that we have a smart grid in place that is actually ready to handle the inevitable strain of plug-in vehicles; second, make sure that the grid is powered by clean and renewable energy; and third, make sure that we have set up an infrastructure for these vehicles, i.e., battery charging/swapping stations.
Of course, being “green” isn’t as easy as purchasing a Prius. “Green” isn’t even a lifestyle, it’s a metaphor.
I think this whole “green movement” has it wrong in many ways. The goal shouldn’t be to sell “alternatives”— especially right now, when a lot of people are confused or unconvinced. The goal should be to try and raise people’s consciousness.
There is really no need to purchase so-called “green” products right now. While [some of] these products might be better for the environment, a majority of them are only going to benefit a few people in the short term. Society needs time to make adjustments— both mentally and technologically. But first and more importantly, people need to evolve a common understanding. We need to educate ourselves, enlighten others, and embrace the benefits of change.
Because at the end of the day, it is people, not products, who will deliver that change. Nonetheless, we shouldn’t try to change people, but rather, we should inspire people to change themselves.")
Irony. Anyway, some thoughts:
I think the ultimate viability of electric plug-in vehicles will depend entirely on whether or not we get our energy from clean, renewable sources— otherwise, what’s the point?
“If they say there’s no emissions, they just don’t know where power comes from,” says Bill White, mayor of Houston, Texas.
Before manufactures start selling millions upon millions of electric vehicles (which is rather ambitious), wouldn’t it make sense to first; ensure that we have a smart grid in place that is actually ready to handle the inevitable strain of plug-in vehicles; second, make sure that the grid is powered by clean and renewable energy; and third, make sure that we have set up an infrastructure for these vehicles, i.e., battery charging/swapping stations.
Of course, being “green” isn’t as easy as purchasing a Prius. “Green” isn’t even a lifestyle, it’s a metaphor.
I think this whole “green movement” has it wrong in many ways. The goal shouldn’t be to sell “alternatives”— especially right now, when a lot of people are confused or unconvinced. The goal should be to try and raise people’s consciousness.
There is really no need to purchase so-called “green” products right now. While [some of] these products might be better for the environment, a majority of them are only going to benefit a few people in the short term. Society needs time to make adjustments— both mentally and technologically. But first and more importantly, people need to evolve a common understanding. We need to educate ourselves, enlighten others, and embrace the benefits of change.
Because at the end of the day, it is people, not products, who will deliver that change. Nonetheless, we shouldn’t try to change people, but rather, we should inspire people to change themselves.
