X-Message-Number: 18729
From: "George Smith" <>
References: <>
Subject: Re: #18718: Re: COSTS OF SOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2002 12:33:39 -0800

I read the "Economist" and their recent articles regarding the "Skeptical
Environmentalist" book by the former Green and now hated-by-Greens author
from Denmark.

All I know is that in 1974 I took one of the first ecology classes offered
at the University of Illinois and was informed that the oceans were dying so
that we might have five years before all air breathing life on earth would
die.

A hell of a lot of money has been spent on grant research money since then.
Kids in school seem to be brainwashed with more of the same "doom around the
corner" stuff I was exposed to.  "Save The Planet" has become standard fare
for everything from cartoon television shows to selling breakfast cereal.

Now someone comes forward from the ranks of the true believers and tells me
that the world didn't end in 1979 (or 1989 or 1999!) and makes serious
critiques of the reasoning and scewing of data which caused people to feed
this doomsday expectation to the world in general for a full generation now.

(Meanwhile almost all of the professors I knew in 1974 are PERSONALLY dead
(THEIR doomsday) and either cremated or worm food.  IQ check anyone?).

So here is what I suspect to be the case.

I think that money and the new religion of "Greenism" has self perpetuated a
doomsday dogma which is now being challenged by one who was once a member.

The unfortunate thing about this is that IF data comes up which is truly
critical and SHOULD be taken into account, the thirty years of "crying
wolf!" will probably cause THAT data to be disregarded.

As for me, I have never been that impressed by this planet anyway.   Most of
it is covered by oceans, lakes, mountains and deserts with extreme
temperatures and lousy weather.  Earth needs to be domesticated and
housebroken.  That it is the most "natural" hospitable envornment to support
human life is an abject condemnation of nature, as I see it.

So what could solve the "environmental problems"?

I think the best solution would be a smart pill to increase human
intelligence.

Just my opinion,

George Smith

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