esteban g.'s Comments
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Sep 11, 2009 | comments: 24
esteban g. Sep 12, 2009, 9:29am EDT
People vary in their fondness of money and their constitution of wealth.
May 8, 2009 | comments: 34
esteban g. May 8, 2009, 9:10am EDT
I think that children, dogs, plants, writing...legacies ..make a difference. but you have to like them first.
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 8, 2009, 7:38am EDT
I think y'all are both better than that.

I do like the symbolism of the icons/avatars that you have chosen.
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 6, 2009, 11:36am EDT
wow.

Dan. who are THEY? The changists? Fair enough.

I really don't care about credentials. although, at times, I succumb to those failures.

I'm just trying to learn a few things.

Steve, I grasp the concepts of health and ethics; but are they ends in and of themselves? If so, from whence to they emerge?

I think that one problem with such a forum for discussion is that many comments are ill-considered. However, at the same time, that is one of it's main strengths.
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 6, 2009, 10:05am EDT
Oh, I see.

I was referring to "Where I would disagree is that I don't see ethics as peripheral - a good feeling - to this discussion."

At the risk of multiple negatives, to the contrary, that is where (I think) you and I agree.

Perhaps the foundations of ethics are at dispute. Experience, Negotiation, Tradition, Religion, Natural Selection.
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 6, 2009, 8:38am EDT
Steve,

1. What if we just reduced human population by 10^5 fold?

2. What if we just trashed the earth and moved on?

I do agree that a far more practical and approach is that advocated by reducing co2 emissions and trying to preserve our current way of life at the same time.

I am just trying to understand the assumptions implicit in your stance.


You continue to claim to disagree with me, and yet then agree. I am puzzled by that phenomenon.
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 6, 2009, 8:14am EDT
I do take people's comments here seriously. And I reckon from the level of participation that other folks do too.

I'm just a little off-put by the "science not here" comments and the religious fervor of some participants.

I just write this as a response to David's original text.

Science is fun for me because anyone can participate anywhere and produce useful ideas.

My personal experience is that epiphanies usually come when I am engaged in an obtuse but still slightly connected endeavor. I fall asleep at professional association conferences.

I value the odd inspiration where I can get it. So, without too much fervor, I prod here and there.
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 5, 2009, 10:02pm EDT
Steve B.

I care too. I'm just trying to figure out why.


An ethical responsibility for future generations? No. Perhaps that is really where you an I disagree. But, it is nice to think about. And it feels good to leave things better than you found them. but it is just that...a feeling.

But, if we do want to make things better, I think that a better way forward is not to preach at people. Some folks respond to preaching in predictable ways. I tend to toon out all preachers. I do understand part of the problem though; a lot of folks only respond to preaching.


I still think that, regardless of climate change, human population seems to be the question most folks carry around implicitly. Is one willing to sacrifice for their great great granchildren? Mine? Yours? Why not? Why? Is it important that they colonize the universe?
Or should they put procreation in check and live like we do. I think that one's view of the long-term destiny is implicit in many arguments and should be made explicit.
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 5, 2009, 1:02pm EDT
Steve b.

No debate? then what are you doing???? You care for some reason. Just take a moment.
It is not exciting. I don't disagree with you.

OK so I take it you are with the imminent disaster agenda. Does that mean that I will die tomorrow? Or does that mean that my great grandchildren will not exist? If not, who really cares? What is the goal?
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 5, 2009, 12:41pm EDT
I'm amazed that people get so wired up. Probably a good thing in the long run. Still, I see a lot of authoritarian argument and fervor, wishful thinking, and just muck.

I think (no matter how softly) that there is a place for slow reasoning and immediate action.
If the disaster is looming, then immediate action is in order. If it is years in the offing, then human economics can deal.

I suggest a larger scope for the debate. Should we populate the universe? Or just cut back our procreation and hang out? Not as silly a question as you might think. I think it underscores the arguments of many that have visited this thread. It is the reason to survive. I think that the difference in the arguments submitted is that some are very short term and others not. Why think beyond 500 years?
May 1, 2009 | comments: 345
esteban g. May 4, 2009, 12:56pm EDT
I suppose we all are posers to some extent. Just some more popular than others.

I do have a problem with the language of argument....paraphrasing " 18 international societies of science have collaborated....." and such.

This kind of language is not useful to me. It is very similar to that heard in cults or churches. Group thinking. I kind of like the details.

I suppose that anyone that writes here is in need of a good argument. You too.

Am I a naysayer of anything? Nah. Just curious.+
Mar 4, 2009 | comments: 96
esteban g. Mar 4, 2009, 10:55am EST
Perhaps that is the essence of argument. Self doubt. Otherwise just move on.
Mar 2, 2009 | comments: 14
esteban g. Mar 2, 2009, 8:32am EST
I think Cajun meets Wisconsin.
Mar 2, 2009 | comments: 14
esteban g. Mar 2, 2009, 7:24am EST
Wait. 1lb of butter.?
Mar 1, 2009 | comments: 90
esteban g. Mar 2, 2009, 7:06am EST
:What we need is thoughtful assessment and periodic reassessment of what we subsidize to ensure that the subsidies are accomplishing their goal. "


Indeed. When was the last time that happened efficiently.

OK, We all do our part.
Mar 1, 2009 | comments: 90
esteban g. Mar 1, 2009, 4:16pm EST
Smooth as silk.
Mar 1, 2009 | comments: 90
esteban g. Mar 1, 2009, 4:08pm EST
Just frustration of having policy made by folks that you would not trust to fill your tire.
I think that it is big issue.
Mar 1, 2009 | comments: 90
esteban g. Mar 1, 2009, 12:20pm EST
Not from informed folks. Burning has been better than etoh for the last 40 years.
Feb 26, 2009 | comments: 15
esteban g. Mar 1, 2009, 12:12pm EST
Make a home.
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