The other day Jill and I were talking about the upcoming presidential election and the candidates. Jill asked me if Romney's being Mormon affects my opinion of him. I replied, "Yes, it does." So she asked how. After I told her how, I was stunned to learn that she didn't know the basic roots of the Mormon church. Since my own cousin, at age 60, didn't know the basics, I thought I'd write a short post on it.
This is my understanding. A Google search or a quick trip to Wikipedia will give you much more detail. I went to the library 30 years ago and checked out books to learn about it. Here my links are to Wikipedia.
The Mormon church was started in western New York in the 1820s by a treasure-digger named Joseph Smith. In 1823, Joseph Smith claimed to have been directed by the angel Moroni to golden plates buried near his home. These golden plates contained words of God written by prophets, mostly one named Mormon, about indigenous Americans. Smith said he translated these golden plates (using seer-stone spectacles) and then gave them back to the angel. Smith had 11 relatives and friends sign a paper saying they'd seen these plates. During power struggles, Smith later broke with or excommunicated most of the witnesses. Smith published his translation as the Book of Mormon
Mormons believe the Bible is the word of God written by prophets. They also believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God written by prophets (or a prophet), and is a companion book to the Bible.
Joseph Smith and his cadre claimed the way to heaven for women was through their husbands, thus setting the precedence for multiple wives for Mormon men. Mormons believe that present-day men can receive the word of God and change church doctrine.
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Friday, October 26, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
What Do You Know About Paul Ryan?
Warning! Personal Opinion to Follow
Following Mitt Romney's announcement that his choice for vice-president is Paul Ryan, I've been surprised to learn just how little the people around me know about Paul Ryan. Even my husband, Max, didn't know who he was a couple of months ago when I asked his opinion on Ryan's budget. I had to consciously close my mouth when he said he didn't know anything about it. Until lately, Max has notoriously been more aware of politics than I.
Here are a few video clips that do a very good job of explaining Ryan's ideas on the economy in terms that don't require one to be an economics expert and his idea's on women for the country as a whole.
If you're not aware, Paul Ryan's budget is famous. He has proposed a budget that is known as the "Kill Medicare Budget." A simple explanation per http://healthcareforamericanow.org is,
I'd like to preface this next clip with remarks that are nonprejudicial. I can't do it. The idea that any man has the right to tell me I cannot control whether or not I have a child makes me fume. This video shows Ryan's record on women's reproductive health issues.
It would be very easy for me to rant on about my personal thoughts on men controlling women and society. I won't.
I will say, however, that I don't want this man within spitting distance of becoming president.
Following Mitt Romney's announcement that his choice for vice-president is Paul Ryan, I've been surprised to learn just how little the people around me know about Paul Ryan. Even my husband, Max, didn't know who he was a couple of months ago when I asked his opinion on Ryan's budget. I had to consciously close my mouth when he said he didn't know anything about it. Until lately, Max has notoriously been more aware of politics than I.
Here are a few video clips that do a very good job of explaining Ryan's ideas on the economy in terms that don't require one to be an economics expert and his idea's on women for the country as a whole.
If you're not aware, Paul Ryan's budget is famous. He has proposed a budget that is known as the "Kill Medicare Budget." A simple explanation per http://healthcareforamericanow.org is,
"The Ryan plan essentially would kill the guarantees that provide seniors and people with disabilities a specific set of benefits and services and then replace it with vouchers to private insurance companies."Republicans are claiming Ryan is a fiscal conservative. If one looks at Ryan's record and the true definition of "fiscal conservative," Ryan is not at all a fiscal conservative.
I'd like to preface this next clip with remarks that are nonprejudicial. I can't do it. The idea that any man has the right to tell me I cannot control whether or not I have a child makes me fume. This video shows Ryan's record on women's reproductive health issues.
It would be very easy for me to rant on about my personal thoughts on men controlling women and society. I won't.
I will say, however, that I don't want this man within spitting distance of becoming president.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
When Women Got the Vote
WARNING: Political Personal Opinion Follows.
You're female? You're conservative? You actually listen to the entertainer Rush Limbaugh? You give him credence as anything but an entertainer? You like what he really thinks about you?
You're male? You're conservative? You actually listen to the entertainer Rush Limbaugh? You give him credence as anything but an entertainer? You like what he really thinks about women?
If you fall into either of these categories, your character is weak. If you're a woman, you don't have enough confidence to trust yourself and your own opinion. If you're a male, you don't have enough confidence to not fear a woman. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, you don't have enough confidence in yourself to walk the world and be proud of yourself.
You're female? You're conservative? You actually listen to the entertainer Rush Limbaugh? You give him credence as anything but an entertainer? You like what he really thinks about you?
You're male? You're conservative? You actually listen to the entertainer Rush Limbaugh? You give him credence as anything but an entertainer? You like what he really thinks about women?
If you fall into either of these categories, your character is weak. If you're a woman, you don't have enough confidence to trust yourself and your own opinion. If you're a male, you don't have enough confidence to not fear a woman. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, you don't have enough confidence in yourself to walk the world and be proud of yourself.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Can You Really Trust Your State Legislators?
So do you really think you can trust your state legislators to obey the laws of your state? Maybe you shouldn't, especially if you live in Michigan. Is this coming to a state near you? Your state maybe?
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Food Discussion - Up With Chris Hayes
Here's a very thoughtful and interesting discussion on the food we eat. It's from the show "Up With Chris Hayes" aired on April 4, 2012. The panel discusses the "pink slime" issue which has finally hit the mainstream, along with legislation, inspection, finance, drugs, husbandry and a bit of morality.
See my post from April 11, 2011, by clicking here, if you're interested in more information on our meat industry. Looking at the dates makes wonder if these discussions are an annual thing.
See my post from April 11, 2011, by clicking here, if you're interested in more information on our meat industry. Looking at the dates makes wonder if these discussions are an annual thing.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Things People Say
This is a hilarious satirical video about the things people say to homesteaders and/or people who like to be prepared. Apparently she'd had more than she could take of her family laughing at her and did a little relief therapy for herself. It's really so much about the difference between city people and country farming people.
The gal that did this titled it "Things Sheeple Say." To those that don't know, preppers call the mass of people who are oblivious to the need to be prepared for the unexpected "sheeple," as in people who wander around oblivious as sheep. To me, that's a unnecessary demeaning word. I was glad to watch a follow-up vid she did expressing that same sentiment. In that vid she said she wished she hadn't used that term and wouldn't again.
Okay, so here's a little of my philosophy about prepping. To me, it's only wise and prudent to be fairly well prepared for whatever disaster that might befall us. Am I a die-hard prepper preparing for the end of American Society? Nope. However, if we have another ice storm that knocks out the electricity for two weeks as we had a few short years ago, I can: warm and light a room; cook and have decent meals; drink, bathe and flush the toilet.
Why am I not a die-hard prepper? First, I can see the possibility of our society crashing; however, it's a real crap shoot to predict such a thing. I'm not as convinced as die-hard preppers are that it's imminent. Second, I'm nearly 60, without a large family clan or neighbors I've lived with all my life, so actually, I think I'd be killed by looters.
Of the numerous other scenarios that could happen, I don't know if I'd really want to live through that. Nuclear bomb? I don't think so. Asteriod strike - maybe if it's on the other side of the planet. EMP - whoof, maybe. Again, I'd likely die rather quickly - looters, stroke, heart attack.
Why am I soft prepper? Mother Nature can give us a rash of bad events, and I'd like to be able to ride them out without having to scramble just to survive until recovery happens. In our area we have bad storms, ice storms, tornados, and being by the New Madrid fault, we've even had some bad earthquakes.
To me it's wise to have enough preparations on hand to be able to live without electricity, have first aid supplies enough to take care of minor injuries, and have enough water and food to not starve in a couple of weeks.
Now if a tornado blows my house away, none of that will help. If the New Madrid fault goes, I might or might not be in good shape. If a sand blow comes up under my house, I'm pretty well screwed, or if the house falls down, likewise. If my house survives, but the bridges are out, I can make it - even though I'm in an area that can't be reached from any direction, north, south, east, or west, without crossing a bridge. The groceries will be empty of food within 3 days, but I have enough to hopefully survive until lifelines can be established. If we have an ice storm that takes out the electricity, I'm set. Likewise with a bad storm.
So anyway, that's my little op ed for the day.
The gal that did this titled it "Things Sheeple Say." To those that don't know, preppers call the mass of people who are oblivious to the need to be prepared for the unexpected "sheeple," as in people who wander around oblivious as sheep. To me, that's a unnecessary demeaning word. I was glad to watch a follow-up vid she did expressing that same sentiment. In that vid she said she wished she hadn't used that term and wouldn't again.
Okay, so here's a little of my philosophy about prepping. To me, it's only wise and prudent to be fairly well prepared for whatever disaster that might befall us. Am I a die-hard prepper preparing for the end of American Society? Nope. However, if we have another ice storm that knocks out the electricity for two weeks as we had a few short years ago, I can: warm and light a room; cook and have decent meals; drink, bathe and flush the toilet.
Why am I not a die-hard prepper? First, I can see the possibility of our society crashing; however, it's a real crap shoot to predict such a thing. I'm not as convinced as die-hard preppers are that it's imminent. Second, I'm nearly 60, without a large family clan or neighbors I've lived with all my life, so actually, I think I'd be killed by looters.
Of the numerous other scenarios that could happen, I don't know if I'd really want to live through that. Nuclear bomb? I don't think so. Asteriod strike - maybe if it's on the other side of the planet. EMP - whoof, maybe. Again, I'd likely die rather quickly - looters, stroke, heart attack.
Why am I soft prepper? Mother Nature can give us a rash of bad events, and I'd like to be able to ride them out without having to scramble just to survive until recovery happens. In our area we have bad storms, ice storms, tornados, and being by the New Madrid fault, we've even had some bad earthquakes.
To me it's wise to have enough preparations on hand to be able to live without electricity, have first aid supplies enough to take care of minor injuries, and have enough water and food to not starve in a couple of weeks.
Now if a tornado blows my house away, none of that will help. If the New Madrid fault goes, I might or might not be in good shape. If a sand blow comes up under my house, I'm pretty well screwed, or if the house falls down, likewise. If my house survives, but the bridges are out, I can make it - even though I'm in an area that can't be reached from any direction, north, south, east, or west, without crossing a bridge. The groceries will be empty of food within 3 days, but I have enough to hopefully survive until lifelines can be established. If we have an ice storm that takes out the electricity, I'm set. Likewise with a bad storm.
So anyway, that's my little op ed for the day.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Amish Vanity - Opinion Warning
Today I see that the Amish around here have made the headlines of the national news. You can check out the story by clicking here. The specific county is just about 10 miles east of me; it's Graves County. The story is that Graves County has been cracking down on them for disobeying a law that demands they put an orange reflector on their buggies. The county is citing and ticketing those that don't have the orange reflector. The Amish, of the Swartzentruber sect, claim that is blasphemy to them because it violates their policy of being plain. The Amish men aren't paying the fines, and so they're being jailed.
Here's the opinion, and it's mine and won't buy anyone a cup of coffee:
You can dress it up any way your mind wants to, but the bottom line is that you can be vain about wanting to be fancy or you can be vain about wanting to be plain.
This is the best definition of vain that I found:
Here's the opinion, and it's mine and won't buy anyone a cup of coffee:
Vanity is vanity.
You can dress it up any way your mind wants to, but the bottom line is that you can be vain about wanting to be fancy or you can be vain about wanting to be plain.
This is the best definition of vain that I found:
Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth.The local Amish are failing big time at not being vain. They have an excessively high opinion of their plain appearance.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Powerful Words on Disaster Lessons Learned
The words in this section of the Rachel Maddow Show are so powerful that I wanted to preserve them. So I'm posting this embedded video. The subject is about what kind of lessons Americans have learned from disasters we've endured.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Socialism
The other day someone called President Obama a socialist. It took me aback.
Wait a minute, isn't the U.S. a bit socialist?
The very 1st definition of socialism per Meriam Webster Dictionary is:
Wait a minute, isn't the U.S. a bit socialist?
The very 1st definition of socialism per Meriam Webster Dictionary is:
Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.Socialist programs in the U.S. and Carlisle County, Kentucky, include:
- The Carlisle County Senior Citizens Center
- The U.S. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force
- Fire Departments - as in the Paducah Fire Department
- Police Departments - including our County, State and Federal Jails (Paducah, no website for Carlisle County)
- Roads - County Roads, State Roads, Interstate Roads
- City Public Works - as in the Paducah Engineering Department
- Many Water, Sewer and Electric Systems (some are privatized, but many are city or county. Ours in Arlington comes from Mayfield and is publicly owned)
- Social Security
- SSI - Supplemental Security Income (disability and aging help for the poor)
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- The U.S. Post Office
- Libraries - McCracken County Public Library
- State and National Parks - as in Columbus Belmont State Park and Yellowstone National Park
- Schools - Carlisle County
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- Food Stamps/Snap and WIC
In other words, in the U.S., "public" is another word for socialist programs.
The 2nd definition of socialism per Meriam Webster Dictionary is:
We need to think about ourselves and what socialist programs we actually live with. If we're going to slam socialism, are we willing to give up what we already have - our roads, parks, libraries, fire & police depts., schools, Social Security, sewage, and so on?
To me, the label of "socialist" that's been tacked to Pres. Obama is the result of fear mongering and extremism. Fear mongering, per Meriam Webster Dictionary, is scaremongering, which isn't defined as a verb, but a scare monger is:
The 2nd definition of socialism per Meriam Webster Dictionary is:
- a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
- a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
Now you really can't convince me that the Obamas are eager to give up their private property. That house in Chicago is awesome. Click here for a picture.
The President may want to increase some systems or conditions in our society, but we're already pretty socialist. And if you think I want to privatize Social Security as the Republicans are advocating, I have some bottom land and a bridge I'd like to sell you.
The 3rd and last definition of socialism per Meriam Webster Dictionary is:
a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work doneOkay, this one is a bit academic. Ain't gonna go there. However, I think I can safely say Pres. Obama isn't a "stage of society."
We need to think about ourselves and what socialist programs we actually live with. If we're going to slam socialism, are we willing to give up what we already have - our roads, parks, libraries, fire & police depts., schools, Social Security, sewage, and so on?
Do we really and truly think private companies can and will manage these things as well or better and economically all the while making a profit, which is a company's bottom line? If we don't pay taxes for these services anymore, do we think the private companies' service fees will be equal to the taxes saved? Do we think their service fees will never exceed the going tax rate? Are we willing to give up a say in who runs the "company" or in which "company" controls what, i.e. - voting - Board of Education, Sheriff, etc.?
To me, the label of "socialist" that's been tacked to Pres. Obama is the result of fear mongering and extremism. Fear mongering, per Meriam Webster Dictionary, is scaremongering, which isn't defined as a verb, but a scare monger is:
One inclined to raise or excite alarms especially needlesslyPer Wikipedia, fear mongering is:
the use of fear to influence the opinions and actions of others towards some specific end. The feared object or subject is sometimes exaggerated, and the pattern of fear mongering is usually one of repetition, in order to continuously reinforce the intended effects of this tactic, sometimes in the form of a vicious circle.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Chicken on the Floor and Interior Decorators
Boy, yesterday and today have been roller-coasters. Yesterday, Lola asked me who bought all the furniture in the house. She told me I was telling her crap when I told her she did. She absolutely refused to believe it.
This morning when I got up, I found a cooked chicken on the floor in the kitchen. I had roasted a chicken and put the left-overs in the refrigerator. Don't ask me. I have no clue why the chicken was on the floor when I got up.
I also think Dad tried to fry something in the morning before I got up. There was some olive loaf on the wrong shelf. I have no clue if he tried to fry the chicken or fry the olive loaf.
He's been getting a banana and a glass of juice, and he's also been sleeping later. That's nice because Lola stays up so late. It's easier on me to get enough sleep when he sleeps late. If he's going to start getting up early again and trying to cook, I'll have to go back to sleep deprivation.
Tonight Lola asked me who bought the piano and brought it into the house and if anyone could play it. That has been a recurring question/theme for months. Tonight it started a cascade of memories for her, and she started talking about Bebe rolling up to the piano in their family's house. Then she asked me if I remembered when Elizabeth had polio. Sigh. Since Lola was 15 or 16 when Bebe had polio, and Lola didn't have me until she was 32, it's a bit impossible for me to remember it.
When it came time for Mom to go to bed, she stood up and couldn't control her bladder. I've been trying to keep a handle on that, but don't always succeed. She couldn't remember how to get to her other pajamas or change her clothes, and I had to lead her through doing all of that.
And may I just say that tonight is the first night in I can't remember when (at least 14 days) that it has dropped below 80F in frellin June. WARNING: POLITICAL OPINION TO FOLLOW. If you don't think our dependence on oil is changing our planet, you're nuts.
This morning when I got up, I found a cooked chicken on the floor in the kitchen. I had roasted a chicken and put the left-overs in the refrigerator. Don't ask me. I have no clue why the chicken was on the floor when I got up.
I also think Dad tried to fry something in the morning before I got up. There was some olive loaf on the wrong shelf. I have no clue if he tried to fry the chicken or fry the olive loaf.
He's been getting a banana and a glass of juice, and he's also been sleeping later. That's nice because Lola stays up so late. It's easier on me to get enough sleep when he sleeps late. If he's going to start getting up early again and trying to cook, I'll have to go back to sleep deprivation.
Tonight Lola asked me who bought the piano and brought it into the house and if anyone could play it. That has been a recurring question/theme for months. Tonight it started a cascade of memories for her, and she started talking about Bebe rolling up to the piano in their family's house. Then she asked me if I remembered when Elizabeth had polio. Sigh. Since Lola was 15 or 16 when Bebe had polio, and Lola didn't have me until she was 32, it's a bit impossible for me to remember it.
When it came time for Mom to go to bed, she stood up and couldn't control her bladder. I've been trying to keep a handle on that, but don't always succeed. She couldn't remember how to get to her other pajamas or change her clothes, and I had to lead her through doing all of that.
And may I just say that tonight is the first night in I can't remember when (at least 14 days) that it has dropped below 80F in frellin June. WARNING: POLITICAL OPINION TO FOLLOW. If you don't think our dependence on oil is changing our planet, you're nuts.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Depression Cooking
While trying to avoid the royal wedding coverage yesterday, I found the most delightful channel on youtube. There are quite a few video done called "Clara's Kitchen - Depression Cooking." They're done by a grandson wanting to remember how to cook the food his grandmom made for him, so he taped her cooking them. She's between 93-95 years old while he taped them.
There were a few I think I'd like to try. I'd heard of the peas and egg before and always wondered how the eggs were added. Doh. They're just cracked and added. I may try it someday when I'm really craving peas. That will have to be when Max isn't around. At least he doesn't shudder anymore if he actually eats a green pea.
You can see Clara here:
There were a few I think I'd like to try. I'd heard of the peas and egg before and always wondered how the eggs were added. Doh. They're just cracked and added. I may try it someday when I'm really craving peas. That will have to be when Max isn't around. At least he doesn't shudder anymore if he actually eats a green pea.
You can see Clara here:
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Blowing Levees
Damn. They're talking about blowing the levees above Cairo. This will murder the farmers' ability to make a living this year. Apparently it didn't help in the "Great Flood of 1937" the last time they did it. What on earth is different today to make them, the US Army Corp of Engineers, think it will work today??? It's not like the USACE has a great rep. Um, Katrina and levees anyone?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
High Speed to Insolvency
On February 27, 2011, George Will wrote a little article about this administration's desire for high-speed rail access. I cannot address his concerns about this causing the country insolvency, as I have very little clue about federal financial matters. I can, however, address a few things he says.
"...modification of (other people's) behavior." Really now. Hunh. Who'da thunk it. Providing us access to railroads, giving us travel options, cutting down my gas expenditure, keeping my car off the road (saving it's underwhelming condition), and giving me time to do something else while I travel, among other things, is modifying my behavior. I'm so glad he warned me that hungering for a good rail trip is behavior modification exerted on me by progressives. Wow.
This quote just cracks me up:
The real reason is to diminish individualism in order to make us more amenable to collectivism. Excuse me while I fall off my chair laughing. Where in the hell does that come from?
Am I a progressive? I don't have a clue. I do know I'd like to have access to rail travel, especially high-speed. Does that make me a progressive? Does that mean I want to shove Americans towards collectivism? Mmm, I don't think so.
I do know I'd like to not have to drive everywhere. Maybe if I were riding for two hours rather than driving, I could, say, knit on a sock or crochet on a tablecloth. Maybe I could afford to go to Nashville more often.
I'd like to save wear and tear on my own automobile. You know, I'd like to not wrack up the mileage on it and have to replace it so quickly.
I'd like to be able to sit and watch the countryside go by rather than worry about some semi-truck running over me on a downhill slope, or sideswiping me while having lousy lane discipline. I'd like to not to worry about some idiot on a cell phone having a wreck in front of me. I'd love to not spend 15 minutes traveling a quarter of mile because someone actually did have a wreck. I'd love to avoid downtown Memphis or Nashville in rush hour.
If it were a long trip, I'd be in absolute heaven eating a meal in a nice setting rather than dashing off the interstate to get smacked in the face by a profusion of fast-food restaurants. Hey, I could even have an icy gin and tonic and not have to worry about drinking and driving at the same time, all while getting somewhere. How cool is that!
"So why is America’s “win the future” administration so fixated on railroads, a technology that was the future two centuries ago? Because progressivism’s aim is the modification of (other people’s) behavior."A technology that was the future two centuries ago... Yes, it was, and it's a shame it got, mmm, derailed, so to speak. I'd love to be able to easily take a train. Ya wanna get my husband on a roll? Ask him his thoughts on this country's abandonment of railroads. Talk about a rant. I think it falls under "some of the most stupid things this country has done."
"...modification of (other people's) behavior." Really now. Hunh. Who'da thunk it. Providing us access to railroads, giving us travel options, cutting down my gas expenditure, keeping my car off the road (saving it's underwhelming condition), and giving me time to do something else while I travel, among other things, is modifying my behavior. I'm so glad he warned me that hungering for a good rail trip is behavior modification exerted on me by progressives. Wow.
This quote just cracks me up:
Forever seeking Archimedean levers for prying the world in directions they prefer, progressives say they embrace high-speed rail for many reasons—to improve the climate, increase competitiveness, enhance national security, reduce congestion, and rationalize land use. The length of the list of reasons, and the flimsiness of each, points to this conclusion: the real reason for progressives’ passion for trains is their goal of diminishing Americans’ individualism in order to make them more amenable to collectivism.Flimsy - improving the climate, competitiveness, national security, reducing congestion - flimsy, eh? I don't know about that rationalizing land use. What exactly does he mean by that? Unfamiliar with that one.
The real reason is to diminish individualism in order to make us more amenable to collectivism. Excuse me while I fall off my chair laughing. Where in the hell does that come from?
Am I a progressive? I don't have a clue. I do know I'd like to have access to rail travel, especially high-speed. Does that make me a progressive? Does that mean I want to shove Americans towards collectivism? Mmm, I don't think so.
I do know I'd like to not have to drive everywhere. Maybe if I were riding for two hours rather than driving, I could, say, knit on a sock or crochet on a tablecloth. Maybe I could afford to go to Nashville more often.
I'd like to save wear and tear on my own automobile. You know, I'd like to not wrack up the mileage on it and have to replace it so quickly.
I'd like to be able to sit and watch the countryside go by rather than worry about some semi-truck running over me on a downhill slope, or sideswiping me while having lousy lane discipline. I'd like to not to worry about some idiot on a cell phone having a wreck in front of me. I'd love to not spend 15 minutes traveling a quarter of mile because someone actually did have a wreck. I'd love to avoid downtown Memphis or Nashville in rush hour.
If it were a long trip, I'd be in absolute heaven eating a meal in a nice setting rather than dashing off the interstate to get smacked in the face by a profusion of fast-food restaurants. Hey, I could even have an icy gin and tonic and not have to worry about drinking and driving at the same time, all while getting somewhere. How cool is that!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
No Impact Man Blog
Today I've spent a considerable amount of time reading a blog, No Impact Man, about a small family in Manhattan, NYC, NY, conducting a year-long experiment to lessen their environmental impact. The experiment was in 2007, but I'd never heard about it and was curious. They decided on areas to reduce their impact; these included: 1. making no trash, 2. eating locally within a 250-mile radius, 3. cutting electrical consumption, 4. changing transportation methods, 5. not buying anything new for a year, and I forget the last, perhaps it was equalizing whatever impact they did have with good works.
I enjoyed the concept, it was a personal experiment and not meant to change the world. So the author said. Sorry to say, I ended up feeling that the blog author, who is actually a book author, used the blog to entice people to buy his book about the experiment, to advertise his participation in a documentary, and to advance environmentalism.
I've got no problem with authors selling books, nor with people making documentaries, or environmentalists. I do have a problem with people starting a blog about something they're doing and turning said blog into mostly a vehicle for them to advertise their book, documentary, or broader concerns.
There were few posts about the actual steps they took, the dates of each implementation of their stages, the problems they encountered, the effect on their lives or any of the things one expects from a blog started for a specific purpose. I'm not saying there were none; I'm saying there were few. By the end of the experiment the blog devolved to reposts of previous posts and posts about a plethora of environmental issues.
After four years, the blog is still going. I probably won't be going back. I can get my daily dose of environmentalism at The Grist or other sites and find another blog that might actually be pertinent to my own curiosities. I also don't intend to buy the book. That's not because it wouldn't be interesting; it's because I hate being lured on purpose, and that's the way I felt after reading through the year's worth of blog entries.
I wish that the author had kept that particular blog for that particular experiment and started another blog for his other environmental concerns and activities. I wish that the blog hadn't actually been an advertising vehicle for a book. But that's just me and my own personal opinion, which actually matters to no one but me.
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