The thing about all these TFian threads that bothers me is that I'm on his side to a degree. I consider environmental issues to be among the most important issues today. I am one of those people that would like to see rainforest conserved for the sake of the rainforest, even if there were no economic consequences. I consider nature to be beautiful and meaningful and valuable in it's own right, and I hope that we can mitigate that damage that we are doing. I am horrified at some of that damage, too.
So, what should we do, then, if we care about nature? Pretend that somehow some mystical earth mother will destroy mankind and make it all right? I can't get on board with that because of two things: 1. While I care about nature, I also care about humans. Looked at objectively we are the most astounding creature on this planet, and I can't imagine wanting us to go extinct. 2. It's simply counterfactual: there is no earth mother.
Which leaves us with what? This: get our heads out of the sand and actually face the issues as they really are. Nuclear power is the best chance we have for getting off of fossil fuels in any realistic timeframe.
Now, TFian, I'm happy to discuss the facts of the world. I want to have that discussion, about the issues facing us as a society and how we can best deal with them. That's the reason that I'm drawn to these threads of yours. But there's no discussion to be had when you simply ignore the evidence presented to you.
So, what should we do, then, if we care about nature? Pretend that somehow some mystical earth mother will destroy mankind and make it all right? I can't get on board with that because of two things: 1. While I care about nature, I also care about humans. Looked at objectively we are the most astounding creature on this planet, and I can't imagine wanting us to go extinct. 2. It's simply counterfactual: there is no earth mother.
Which leaves us with what? This: get our heads out of the sand and actually face the issues as they really are. Nuclear power is the best chance we have for getting off of fossil fuels in any realistic timeframe.
Now, TFian, I'm happy to discuss the facts of the world. I want to have that discussion, about the issues facing us as a society and how we can best deal with them. That's the reason that I'm drawn to these threads of yours. But there's no discussion to be had when you simply ignore the evidence presented to you.