American Wastefulness

[Captain_America]

I’m sick of seeing recyclable cans and bottles strewn hither and thither. I’m tired of seeing usable stuff thrown aside. This stuff costs us, in terms of natural resources, sure, but also in a more philosophic way: some human effort was put into the construction of this stuff; it has some innate value because of this.

We just seem bent on continuing the disposable society. . . upping it, even, with disposable electronics (old cell phones, etc.).

This just seems a nasty business and a bad long-term way to go.

 

[Rascalking]

Captain America,

You know what I’m sick of? People telling me how to live my life. Forced recycling by my city. Telling us where we can and can’t smoke. Demanding we use certain light bulbs in our sockets. Indoctrinating our children (I don’t have them) with PC-environmental rubbish (pun intended) that no one can even dare question.

It seems to me that the value on liberty and personal choices are fading away to a “Do-what-we-tell-you” society.

I don’t think you and I will agree on this one.

 

[faithfully]

Find your local freecycle online. It’s one of my favorite ways to get rid of stuff I don’t want, and get stuff that I do. You may find an artist that collects glass bottles for example.

Craigslist is huge in my area. I’ve known people to furnish an entire house off there. And spend less than $500.00

Paperbackswap.com is my all time favorite find. I love to read. I LOVE books. My kindle sits around collecting dust. In the last 3 months, I’ve found copies of several books recommended here on paperback swap…

You can recycle your old cell phone… Usually at the store even.

Waste often happens because people don’t know what to do with all the junk they don’t need.

So, I’m sure you have some excellent ideas on what people can do with their “junk” to keep it from hitting a landfill…

SHARE!!!

 

[edwest2]

Here it is. Instead of just complaining, find out where to recycle whatever it is. Schools still have paper drives. Not wearing that coat anymore but it’s in good shape? Drop it off at the Salvation Army. I watched a special about recycling and watched as a million soda cans were dumped into a smelter for recycling.

There are places that will take your old computer, and you can even donate a cell phone to a soldier:

cellphonesforsoldiers.com/

Let’s become the Can-Do Country again.

God bless,
Ed

 

[Graubo3]

I’m sick of seeing recyclable cans and bottles strewn hither and thither. I’m tired of seeing usable stuff thrown aside.

Me too. Are you talking about the hypocrisy of the eco-liberals at the National Mall? It will be interesting after this weekend’s Stewart and Colbert’s restore the DC sanitation services rally. Have a nice weekend.

Peace, Graubo

 

[spunjalebi]

Captain America,

You know what I’m sick of? People telling me how to live my life. Forced recycling by my city. Telling us where we can and can’t smoke. Demanding we use certain light bulbs in our sockets. Indoctrinating our children (I don’t have them) with PC-environmental rubbish (pun intended) that no one can even dare question.

It seems to me that the value on liberty and personal choices are fading away to a “Do-what-we-tell-you” society.

I don’t think you and I will agree on this one.

What’s wrong with recycling and making people become aware of their consumer habits and wastefulness? I don’t agree that everyone should be told how and what light bulbs should be used, but the smoking bans I agree with 100%. I have asthma and see people smoking and at times feel like I have to coop myself in my own home to avoid breathing in toxic air. Smoking-related health issues total to the millions per year just in my state alone and contribute to increased insurance premiums. Not to mention, I cringe every time I see a pregnant woman walking nearby a smoker. And somehow, that’s not a problem? Or perhaps, that pregnant woman shouldn’t be stepping out of the house anyway, and that person drinking water should be drinking beer instead? And in my case, does that mean I need to buy a gas mask?

The values of liberty and personal choices does not give anyone the right to cause their actions to infringe on the liberties of others. I would say dumping which causes leaks into waterways and then ultimately into drinking water is an infringement on the drinker’s liberties to life, don’t you think? Or that a smoker’s contribution to toxic chemicals in the air is quite the infringement to a fetus’ development?

That’s why I’m glad my church has an environmental justice group which spreads awareness of personal responsibility for the environment.

I think what Captain America is referring to is the lackadaisical and often indifferent attitude most Americans have toward personal responsibility with resources, even with the knowledge. I can understand for instance, why there’s a $500 fine for littering on highways.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I’m sick of seeing recyclable cans and bottles strewn hither and thither. I’m tired of seeing usable stuff thrown aside. This stuff costs us, in terms of natural resources, sure, but also in a more philosophic way: some human effort was put into the construction of this stuff; it has some innate value because of this.

We just seem bent on continuing the disposable society. . . upping it, even, with disposable electronics (old cell phones, etc.).

This just seems a nasty business and a bad long-term way to go.

Do you drive by any day labor sites? That’s where I see all the trash. Take a look at what the illegals crossing the Arizona and Texas deserts have done to the ecological systems that the greenies always complain about - why is there no outcry?

youtube.com/watch?v=AlYiaL56tKU

At least this Democrat is angry about this! Good for him.

People who have no investment in the economic system here do not treat our country as they should. They don’t care. It’s someone else’s problem to clean up. Gee, that sounds like another group I’m aware of - the entitlement crowd.

 

[NE_Catholic]

My pet peeve: smokers - STOP TREATING THE WORLD AS YOUR ASH TRAY

Thank You

 

[Captain_America]

ohh, I think the OP (me) wasn’t advocating some extensive regulation of people.

That’s an early mistake twisted into this. Read the OP’s first message.

At any rate, being COGNIZANT is valuable. It’s for your own sake, our own sake. It’s good to leave some resources for future generations; we should be able to agree that there’s a bit of an intergenerational justice question here. Why do existing people in 2010 get to use up everything?

The most I’d “legislate” would be trying to find ways to encourage less packaging and better design of things, so they would be a bit more durable and more repairable.

I get shivers from the “sustainability” crowd: if we go this direction, I think we’d really feel it in terms of material deprivations: our generation’s very consumptive!

 

[tomarin]

I get shivers from the “sustainability” crowd: if we go this direction, I think we’d really feel it in terms of material deprivations: our generation’s very consumptive!

I get the sneaking suspicion sometimes that when our economy is going full-tilt a lot of the consumption is mindless too; that is, people are buying things they don’t really need but they have disposable income and they’re addicted to spending it on junk. Which in turn prompts me to wonder if our global economy is just based on generating a lot of frenzied economic activity that is not strictly speaking necessary or truly enriching in any way.

 

[Rascalking]

What’s wrong with recycling and making people become aware of their consumer habits and wastefulness? I don’t agree that everyone should be told how and what light bulbs should be used, but the smoking bans I agree with 100%. I have asthma and see people smoking and at times feel like I have to coop myself in my own home to avoid breathing in toxic air. Smoking-related health issues total to the millions per year just in my state alone and contribute to increased insurance premiums. Not to mention, I cringe every time I see a pregnant woman walking nearby a smoker. And somehow, that’s not a problem? Or perhaps, that pregnant woman shouldn’t be stepping out of the house anyway, and that person drinking water should be drinking beer instead? And in my case, does that mean I need to buy a gas mask?

The values of liberty and personal choices does not give anyone the right to cause their actions to infringe on the liberties of others. I would say dumping which causes leaks into waterways and then ultimately into drinking water is an infringement on the drinker’s liberties to life, don’t you think? Or that a smoker’s contribution to toxic chemicals in the air is quite the infringement to a fetus’ development?

That’s why I’m glad my church has an environmental justice group which spreads awareness of personal responsibility for the environment.

I think what Captain America is referring to is the lackadaisical and often indifferent attitude most Americans have toward personal responsibility with resources, even with the knowledge. I can understand for instance, why there’s a $500 fine for littering on highways.

If you look into the research, you’ll find out that second hand smoke is questionable at best.

I should have the right to smoke where I want if a company wants to ban it inside their property, that is their right. However, if I want to run a bar/resturant and allow smokers, that should be my right as well.

I don’t smoke cigarettes anymore, by the way.

 

[edwest2]

I get the sneaking suspicion sometimes that when our economy is going full-tilt a lot of the consumption is mindless too; that is, people are buying things they don’t really need but they have disposable income and they’re addicted to spending it on junk. Which in turn prompts me to wonder if our global economy is just based on generating a lot of frenzied economic activity that is not strictly speaking necessary or truly enriching in any way.

How dare you point out people’s mindless consumption habits?

We are entitled to buy as much stuff as we want. And to fill our homes to the rafters with stuff. And when we’re done with that - we’ll fill up our garage! Buying stuff is the only way I can feel gainfully employed. And who can resist those shiny, new gadgets they keep coming out with? I need an iPad, iPhone and iEverything else. My life would be empty without them. I need to Tweet my friends whenever I feel like it! And then… and then…

Wow. You’re right.

God bless,
Ed

 

[Rascalking]

How dare you point out people’s mindless consumption habits?

We are entitled to buy as much stuff as we want. And to fill our homes to the rafters with stuff. And when we’re done with that - we’ll fill up our garage! Buying stuff is the only way I can feel gainfully employed. And who can resist those shiny, new gadgets they keep coming out with? I need an iPad, iPhone and iEverything else. My life would be empty without them. I need to Tweet my friends whenever I feel like it! And then… and then…

Wow. You’re right.

God bless,
Ed

Ed,

We are not entitled to anything. We earn things. If you want that stuff, there is nothing wrong or sinful to it. Taking pride in what you’ve done is not wrong. Your oversimplyifying it, and I think you know that. No, your life wouldn’t be incomplete without that stuff, but it does make things easier and keeping in touch with others through those methods is always fun. For the record, I have a very old cell phone. Haven’t updated in about 2-3 years.

As far as the Twitter/Facebook thing-You and I are in total agreement. People go way too far with that stuff.

 

[tomarin]

How dare you point out people’s mindless consumption habits?

At the risk of alienating you further, I’ll go so far as to say that I sometimes think that kind of activity – the purposeful seeking out of more “stuff” – is a sign of a spiritual malaise. We have money but we (most of us) don’t have a visceral sense of God in our life so we seek to fill that void with acquiring junk. It makes us feel “full” for the moment but it doesn’t sate our underlying appetite so we go back for more.

Then again, I buy things that have value to me only (like ukulele’s, a few years ago, or ceramic German beer steins, or books) so perhaps one man’s trash is another man’s treasure as they say. If I had a lot of money I probably wouldn’t spend it on home furnishings and landscaping which I think is what the rest of the country is up to, or was before the recession hit. Maybe the money they’re spending can be rationalized as an investment in the value of their houses and property?

 

[spunjalebi]

If you look into the research, you’ll find out that second hand smoke is questionable at best.

I should have the right to smoke where I want if a company wants to ban it inside their property, that is their right. However, if I want to run a bar/resturant and allow smokers, that should be my right as well.

I don’t smoke cigarettes anymore, by the way.

Yeah well the second-hand smoke not being that bad argument doesn’t fly with me, because my doctors have clearly established that exposure to my dad’s smoke as a child contributed to my allergy sensitivities and asthma. Cigarettes have formaldehyde, arsenic, and toulene just for starts. And I don’t even wear nail polish that has toulene.

Smoking isn’t a right IMO. It’s a privilege. Allowing your fellow human beings to have access to clear, healthy air is a right.

But anyway-- I do agree that private establishments, such as restaurants, bars, and related should be allowed to have separated smoking and non-smoking areas. I personally however, don’t care to go to the library and see someone smoking just outside the door, or go to the clinic of all places and see someone doing the same (which I’ve seen).

Maybe if more people took responsibility for their actions, American wastefulness wouldn’t be as huge of an issue along with overconsumption. And people like to point fingers at Catholics for instance, for accepting large families as wasteful when many of these people often live with less than the typical 1-2 child family.

 

[Rascalking]

Yeah well the second-hand smoke not being that bad argument doesn’t fly with me, because my doctors have clearly established that exposure to my dad’s smoke as a child contributed to my allergy sensitivities and asthma. Cigarettes have formaldehyde, arsenic, and toulene just for starts. And I don’t even wear nail polish that has toulene.

Smoking isn’t a right IMO. It’s a privilege. Allowing your fellow human beings to have access to clear, healthy air is a right.

But anyway-- I do agree that private establishments, such as restaurants, bars, and related should be allowed to have separated smoking and non-smoking areas. I personally however, don’t care to go to the library and see someone smoking just outside the door, or go to the clinic of all places and see someone doing the same (which I’ve seen).

Maybe if more people took responsibility for their actions, American wastefulness wouldn’t be as huge of an issue along with overconsumption. And people like to point fingers at Catholics for instance, for accepting large families as wasteful when many of these people often live with less than the typical 1-2 child family.

Just take a look at some of the research, than decide for yourself. That means looking at both sides-not just the sides that you agree with.

 

[edwest2]

At the risk of alienating you further, I’ll go so far as to say that I sometimes think that kind of activity – the purposeful seeking out of more “stuff” – is a sign of a spiritual malaise. We have money but we (most of us) don’t have a visceral sense of God in our life so we seek to fill that void with acquiring junk. It makes us feel “full” for the moment but it doesn’t sate our underlying appetite so we go back for more.

Then again, I buy things that have value to me only (like ukulele’s, a few years ago, or ceramic German beer steins, or books) so perhaps one man’s trash is another man’s treasure as they say. If I had a lot of money I probably wouldn’t spend it on home furnishings and landscaping which I think is what the rest of the country is up to, or was before the recession hit. Maybe the money they’re spending can be rationalized as an investment in the value of their houses and property?

No, you’re not alienating me. I was just lampooning the “I gotta have stuff even though I have three credit cards that are maxed out right now.”

All people need is a little, and I do mean a little - self control. I admit I make the occasional impulse buy but it’s never because it’s cheap but because it happens to coincide with something high on my list of wants. I collect the occasional old comic book, magazine and book. I have an interest in history so I’m usually scanning the new releases for something I can put on my Christmas list.

I don’t begrudge anyone earning money and picking up a fun, interesting or collectible item. It’s OK. Once that crosses over into the ‘frenzy’ category then you’re likely to go to bed wondering how you’re going to pay the minimum on your next credit card bill.

I agree with your spiritual malaise comment. There was a brief period many years ago when I became distracted by the world but God quickly pulled me back. We all need that visceral God that lives along with us in our lives, otherwise we become too concerned about other people and then we are more likely to behave as they do. God knows, I’m not perfect. My observation only concerns the idea that I do know some people who feel justified in doing something wrong since everybody else is doing it. We should be considerate of other people but Jesus Christ is our ultimate standard.

Thank you for your comments,
Ed

 

[spunjalebi]

Just take a look at some of the research, than decide for yourself. That means looking at both sides-not just the sides that you agree with.

Already been there. I’ve heard similar arguments made to justify why having “a little” bit of alcohol during pregnancy wasn’t that bad.

 

[tomarin]

No, you’re not alienating me. I was just lampooning the “I gotta have stuff even though I have three credit cards that are maxed out right now.”

Not to worry, I meant that strictly tongue-in-cheek.