Saturday, May 27, 2006

Energy Inventiveness

Here's an interesting perspective on US energy use: America isn't an energy hog. We're just more inventive than other nations.

Complaining about America's energy use is something like getting angry at the self-made millionaire for being rich and successful. Cry me a river.

If there's a problem, it isn't that America uses so much energy; it's that most other nations use so little. The solution isn't to make America poor, but other nations rich. And that solution is called 'capitalism'.


Hat tip to someone, but I can't remember who.

4 comments:

John said...

What? No, I'm being completely serious. I'd prefer that people not be poor.

Gord said...

Who said energy use is tied to inventiveness? It could well be argued that a great deal of inventiveness goes into developing more energy efficient appliances/vehicles/homes. ANd that there is a great deal of money to be made in that market.

North Americans are energy hogs. Noprth Americans have an inflated, unrealistic idea of what basic needs are. THe option isn't being poor, nor is it to be Luddites. THe option is to do things differently and use capitalism and inventiveness toward different ends.

John said...

What's the point in being energy efficient if there's so much energy? What's the motivation?

THe option isn't being poor, nor is it to be Luddites. THe option is to do things differently and use capitalism and inventiveness toward different ends.

What do you mean?

Anonymous said...

no! this isn't the answer at all, and well you know it.