Forum dedicated to increasing awareness of green living through beneficial dialogue.

I believe my purpose as a human is to lead a life that shows respect for others, especially since we as humans are, supposedly, the smartest of all living things. I stress the word supposedly based on what I see that so typifies the average person on the street. Anyway, we have a duty as the owners of the apex position, to ensure that we cultivate and nourish the other living creatures less capable than ourselves. Most folks today seem to live as though they were the sole species on this planet, and give far too little thought to how their actions impact other living creatures, let alone the type of world they plan to leave to their own progeny. No one that has any inteligence can doubt that every successive generation will be inheriting a world that is greatly diminished from the one they lived with. I know darn well that the quality of the area I grew up in has been destroyed by the homoginization of the big box stores, the malls, the strip centers, car dealers, fast food franchises, and the endless taking of arable and/or wooded lands for grotesque over the top pieces of crap McMansions.

I have flown extensively and cannot but help see the ugly scars of new developments ever expanding from the cities. What an eyesore compared to the few stretches of this nation taht are still somewhat unscarred. Coincidently...what now happens where I live is that cities and small towns that are the central hubs of culture, the arts and with the potential to be vital uran marketplaces see their beautiful old buildings being abandoned and torn down. It seems to make more sense to reinvest in the downtowns of these already built dwellings and convert them into energy efficient homes rather than let the fine craftsmanship of one hundred years ago be raped and scraped from the ground like so much crap. Meanwhile farmer Bob has to sell his 120 acre farm that was in the same family for generations so some slick will developer can come along and trash the arable land for his grandiose crapola. That's my take.

I notice that your purpose is to show respect,is that repsect given to those who think,talk, walk and live like you do? This kind of talk has never lead me to join a movement of any kind,it's like the Unions,if your not a member your a scab,and they degrade you instead of trying to win you over to their side,they try to shame and blame you.


"I know darn well that the quality of the area I grew up in has been destroyed by the homoginization of the big box stores, the malls, the strip centers, car dealers, fast food franchises, and the endless taking of arable and/or wooded lands for grotesque over the top pieces of crap McMansions. "

No respect shown here. What if we all moved to the countryside like you did ? Would we have to live your style of life? Would these evil bastards destroy this oneness with nature and purpose that you seek? These are buildings occupied by your fellow man for work. The buildings are nothing,objects. Your disgust seems to be with a imperfect form of life called man,which you are a member of.

I hope you don't take this personally,just some observations.

No disrespect to those who choose to live in cities, but these folks should not destroy the resources we all need. man is sadly imperfect, and all one can do is attempt to achieve the best possible outcome. If you feel that unbridled growth is a good thing, that's your right. I only hope more people cherish what has been granted to us, a miracle called earth which has a finite balance of resources for all to enjoy. Judging from the sheer preponderance of supportive e-mails from others versus your one attack, I'd say we are moving in the right direction, and more Americans are saddened rather than elated when the bull dozers arrive and 120 acres of land gets scraped away to be replaced by some massive concrete parking lot.

Those not willing to re-think the future can always live in a concrete, steel, and plastic world with plastic grass, plastic trees and museums to show the grandkids the animals that once actually lived in the country since unrelenting growth will lead to the extinction of almost every living animal. Have fun at the mall or some parking lot sucking auto emissions. Yeah that's what I want. Hohoho.

Thank you for allowing us freedom to choose,rather than impose a lifestyle on others that they do not want nor enjoy.
If greenecks really want to do the enviroment good they would live like the settlers did,no a/c, no automobile, no electric,hand wash clothes,grow all veggies,hunt and fish,make your own clothes,maybe ride a bike or a horse,you can get rid of some of that carbon footprint by not having a pc .just live like they do in other 3rd world countries. Me thinks sometimes enviromentallists just go a little to far. Me thinks that inspite of how much greennecks dislike the comforts of today,they will not give them up.

I enjoy your respones wholewheat