Peace..

If you are awake and conscious during the day here in the US, you might of heard some hullabaloo about the condition of our environment. Some say global warming is negatively affecting our planet, others say it is of no real consequence. Whatever side you take, you will also notice the 'green movement' that has become just as popular as the debate that spawned it. Everyone can agree that waste is waste and less waste is better. Why not recycle? Why not use things that need less energy and find alternative methods of producing said energy? It can only be for the greater good.

This is all true, the green movement is an ideal and virtuous way of life. It's just too bad it will never really catch on. It's the same reason Wal-Mart is so popular and the same reason why people drive two blocks down the road to visit a friend. The reason why the green movement will never catch on is because of the big two factors that everyone value: time and money. To put it into more relatable consumer terms : convenience and value. Wal-Mart is popular because it is a one-stop place that you can anything for butt cheap. People love cheap. You drive to your friend two blocks down because you have a vehicle that you don't have to directly put money into that will get you to your destination in the shortest foreseeable time. There are many, many better alternatives to each of these situations, yet these type of things will remain the most popular because they are A) the most convenient and B) the cheapest to your wallet.



This trend will never change. People will always look for the cheapest and fastest. The 'green movement' has caught popularity because certain people can afford it. Large companies can afford the cost of 'going green' and can use it as a marketing ploy. Sure, everyone has the ability to do something 'green', but it requires effort, and sometimes an extra cost, and in the end, those two things are never popular choices. Recycling has been around for as long as I can remember, and it is a task that can be easily accomplished without too much inconvenience (throw trash here instead of here). Carpooling, however is an inconvenience. Hybrid cars? Expensive. Not using bottled water? Bottled water is far too convenient to dismiss. Those compact fluorescent light bulbs? Much more expensive than regular bulbs. But wait, you say, those fluorescent bulbs will last longer and consume less energy, in effect being cheaper in the long run. Yes, yes they are. But you're looking at the big picture. If the popularity of celebrity gossip/American Idol/reality TV has taught you anything, it should be that people are concerned with the here and now, not the long run.

The only way this 'green' movement will be able to gain any traction is if the 'green' methods are incorporated and eased into a common day's activities. I know I always try to turn off lights in empty rooms, it just requires me to raise my arm and flick a switch. I also try to make my errand runs kill at least two birds in one drive, a roundabout way of conserving fuel. These type of things help, and require no more time or energy, just some thought.

The 'green' movement is a great option for those that can afford it. It is beneficial to the community, the people around it and the planet as a whole. It just cannot be expected to catch on universally. With so many people working just to get by, and everyone valuing their dollar more each day, there is no way 'green' can become a majority way of life. It will remain popular and visible for a while (remember Atkins food?) and then regress back to a behind the scenes idea. It will still have its followers and will remain a content notion, but until it can overcome the idea of convenience and value, there is little hope.

My reason for talking about this is to point out that it is very hard for people to do things that interfere with time and money. There are two ways around this. A) The people know they can afford some time or money or B) The people are told without a doubt that it is the right thing to do. I mentioned above that those who can afford it are generally more into these movements as it doesn't mean sacrificing any of this valuable time and money. They just have some extra that can be put to good use. The other factor is just as important. Because there is no definitive verdict about what kind of trouble the environment is in, there is no clear right or wrong and there is no real hard motivation to participate in the movement. An analogy would be the current war. There is no real reason why or why not there should be a war, so getting people to act accordingly is nonexistent. If it was clear that we needed to wage war, then people would sacrifice as needed to get things done (see WWII).

The 'green' movement is doomed to fall short of it's goals simply because it has yet to overcome the issue of time and money. If people can get something cheaper and faster, they'll get it. Green is a great idea, just not realistic enough to be implemented...yet.


Addendum: Turns out just one day after I made this post, the US Goverment decided that it will require everyone to phase out incandescent light bulbs for the new CFLs. There's an article here: http://biz.yahoo.com/usnews/071219/19_faq_the_end_of_the_light_bulb_as_we_know_it.html?.v=1&.pf=banking-budgeting. This is the kind of thing that gets results - passing a law. Now there is no argument, and people must act accordingly. I'm sure there will still be bootleg bulbs somewhere, and old coots will refuse to switch over for some reason, but it's a start. As much sense as it made, it takes a law to ensure the populous follows suit. Good show.

Ho ho ho!

It's the holiday season once again, and once again it's time to make the list of people you get to buy gifts for. I always try to get something the person wants or something that would mean something to them, just to make Christmas day more than a gift exchange. If I can't find something decent, there's always cash. Everyone likes money. One thing people also seem to like are Christmas cards. A gift is not complete unless there is a card attached with words and cute picture expressing just how much you cheer and joy you want to wish the person over the course of the season. What's worse is that we are so used to giving and getting these cards, that if we don't receive one, we may think less of the people not sending them. It's like candy on Valentine's or cake on your birthday. You don't have to get those, but it doesn't feel quite right without it.

Businesses have capitalized on this fact. If you go to a Hallmark store during the holidays, most of the store is rearranged just for holiday cards. In fact, for any holiday, the store gets changed for all those cards. My question is, why are cards so popular? I know it is nice to see a message from someone, or get a quick laugh from a lame punchline, or well up at some comforting words, but after the card is read, it becomes nothing more than recyclable material. I mean, do people keep their cards longer than two weeks after they are read? (Side note, actually, I do keep some of them, but they are in a pile in a box, just waiting to be tossed away). If you do keep the cards, are they ever read again? Sure, some may say yes, but I doubt much concern is taken for all the cards once the holiday/event is over. At my office for example, we put up all the cards from our different vendors up around the front desk. It's a nice reminder of the holidays and well wishing and what have you. Come January 2nd, we have a full garbage bin.

Now, I am not saying I have anything against spreading good cheer, but in an age of economic awareness and material valuing, is it worth spending 3 bucks on a card that will get 25 seconds of attention? I know the reason for cards' popularity is the convenience factor. They are relatively cheap, easy to send, and the card does most of the work of saying a touching thought. It's too easy, especially in the case of the vendors above or mass mailings, to just send out a card to everyone and cover your bases for the holidays. Nice and convenient, just the way we like it.

What I am a fan of, however, that is just as convenient, are e-cards. Same idea, just over email. No waste, no real cost (except for your Internet connection), and the thing can be discarded with the click of a button. Nowadays, you can find just as many e-cards online as you do regular cards in stores. Send your cheer electronically if you really need to send it out for the season.

As for the people who are determined to have a card to go with their gifts, how about a hand written note? At least that way you know the words actually came from the person's head and not some marketing guy in Albuquerque. I know I feel a bit uneasy when I read a card that's a bit too cheesy or wordy. I also know that I smile just a much from any card with messages of happiness and well-being, whether they are store bought or not.

So my advice is this: If you need to send a message of happy holidays to a large group of people, use an e-card, or better yet, just a regular email to those you care about. Everyone like getting email, and it's that much better when it's not trying to sell you something. If you need something to go along with the gift you are giving or need something to wrap around that crisp 50 dollar bill, try writing a note instead of buying one. I may not keep my cards, but I keep my notes. Those are from the heart and to me, express more about what the holiday season is about, recognizing and appreciating the people you care about.

Beep!

Last week, a light snow fell upon the DC area. Hooray for the first snow of the year! It's 2 inches of pure white bliss, inaugurating the true start of the winter season. Of course, it's the biggest story on the news; school children (and teachers) are praying for delays or closings; and drivers everywhere are going 20 mph slower than they need to.

A few hundred miles north of DC, up to a foot fell in certain areas of New England and New York. Sure, it's still a story, but it's not a big deal. It's winter, snow happens. People can still drive as they normally would.

Perhaps it is the celebration of occasion that makes people lay off the gas pedal and ride that brake. Here in the DC area, we get snow maybe 3 or 4 times durig the winter season, and it is always embraced as an important event. In between snows are plain days of 50 degree weather that make one sympathize with the global warming theory. Snow is an event, a possible break from work and a chance to go play. It is also horrible conditions for being on the roads. Despite the decent amount of salt trucks and coverage in the area, everyone slows down. A good percentage slow down to points of absurdity, even throwing on emergency flashers to reemphasize just how slow they are going.

I understand people want to be careful and don't want to wreck a major cost and dependence of their life, but there needs to be some enlightening to the speed:snow ratio. I've been in a white out before, where the snow is so heavy you can't see past the windshield. This is an appopriate time to pull over and wait it out. Light snow and ice is not. Your 2000 pound car can make it through and still be in control. Here's the tips: keep a decent distance between cars. Don't have distractions around you. Keep a decent speed. Other people will drive normally. I think you're in more danger by going slow and leaving the possibility for a normal driver to hit your slow ass.

If you drive a performance car with thin tires and sport suspension, you may have an excuse for going slower, but you shouldn't be driving anyway. The salt on the roads really F's with your paint job.

If you drive a truck or any SUV, you have no reason to go slow. You drive a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Granted, you have probably never been on any surface other than asphalt and your floor mats are muddier than your wheels, but you should know you can drive through snow without a problem. Just go.

On back roads and alleys, take your time. They are usually lined with things to hit and can be really icy. Main roads however are ready to go. Drive.

I think I'm just bitter because it is easy to see how we get the idea that as you travel farther south in the US, the less people know about driving in winter weather. It stinks, but it's a trade off for not going outside to -20 degree cold in January. I know people get excited over snow around here, but if you love it so much, pull over and make a snow angel. If you are driving, focus on the road and get out of my way. Don't perpetuate the stereotype.