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Will we leave something for our children?

brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,088
edited December 2012 in A Moving Train
In his book Everyday Survival, Laurence Gonzales proposes this as an answer to the question:

"This is a deep philosophical question, for which no answer exists at the moment. What makes it a philosophical question as opposed to a political one or some other kind of question is this: it's actually cheaper to stop living the way we are living. We could actually improve corporate profits, make the economy grow faster, and enjoy a better standard of living if we made the decision not to squander our resources. For example, for the price of a few months of war (90 billion dollars) we could retool the transportation system (cars, trucks, and planes) and triple its efficiency. By spending the same amount on biofuels for that newly efficient fleet, we could make 70 billion dollars a year in profit.

Throughout history, philosophers have wanted to know about the nature of free will and reason, and we are in a unique position to find out. The biggest question looming for the human race is whether we can actually use reason to change our behavior and to do so is necessary to survive, or we will simply be carried along by a process that is already under way."
pp209-210

I would argue against a few of the details here (I don't think biofuels is the answer as much as driving less, using trains more) but the general concept makes sense. 90 billion dollars every few months could go a long way toward increasing efficiency in much of what we do.

By the way, this book and Gonzales's Deep Survival are fascinating reads!
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
Democracy Dies in Darkness- Washington Post













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  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,088
    Too controversial? :|
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
    Democracy Dies in Darkness- Washington Post













  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,088
    Oh, I know, we'll leave them guns, right? Oh fuck it, I'm outta here before I get myself in trouble.

    Peace and love.

    Good weekend all.

    Happy Saint Swiffins day.

    Shalom.

    Hasta.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
    Democracy Dies in Darkness- Washington Post













  • unsungunsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    Interesting thought. There are certainly much wiser ways to invest our money. I saw a quote for the first time yesterday that really said a lot to me and it somewhat rings true for me on this. I'm paraphrasing it was something like, "No American should ever die for the Emir of Kuwait." It was said by Pat Buchanon during or right after the first Gulf war. I feel no dollar should ever go to protecting the Emir either. Why not instead build a homeless shelter? But we can't do that; there is no profit in it.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    brianlux wrote:
    In his book Everyday Survival, Laurence Gonzales proposes this as an answer to the question:

    "This is a deep philosophical question, for which no answer exists at the moment. What makes it a philosophical question as opposed to a political one or some other kind of question is this: it's actually cheaper to stop living the way we are living. We could actually improve corporate profits, make the economy grow faster, and enjoy a better standard of living if we made the decision not to squander our resources. For example, for the price of a few months of war (90 billion dollars) we could retool the transportation system (cars, trucks, and planes) and triple its efficiency. By spending the same amount on biofuels for that newly efficient fleet, we could make 70 billion dollars a year in profit.

    Throughout history, philosophers have wanted to know about the nature of free will and reason, and we are in a unique position to find out. The biggest question looming for the human race is whether we can actually use reason to change our behavior and to do so is necessary to survive, or we will simply be carried along by a process that is already under way."
    pp209-210

    I would argue against a few of the details here (I don't think biofuels is the answer as much as driving less, using trains more) but the general concept makes sense. 90 billion dollars every few months could go a long way toward increasing efficiency in much of what we do.

    By the way, this book and Gonzales's Deep Survival are fascinating reads!

    rechannel part of the military budget to make the transport system more efficient?? thats just crazy talk brian. ;)

    i do wonder about the priorities of governments, my own included, when they sell off their assets to private enterprise, knowing that somehow theyre gonna have to make up the shortfall of the income they just handed off. they could be using the income generated from those previously state held companies to build strong infrastructures and provide services needed by those less fortunate so that society becomes stronger.. surely that is more beneficial to the security, strength and wealth of a country than invading other countries and killing not only the local inhabitants but our own men and women?
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