Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : The Exxon Free Environmental Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (3221)	1/27/2009 3:14:10 PM
From: Sam	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 49127

On the other hand, the rhetoric of sacrifice is potentially powerful here. Historically speaking, in the US, in Britain, in many nations we’ve seen a willingness to endure privation if we felt we were part of a greater national project, if our sacrifices were needed The problem isn't that Americans won't sacrifice--we certainly will. If we see a reason that is compelling enough. But we aren't very good abstract thinkers, climate change is too abstract for most of us, and we believe in science as long as it promises good things, but just don't bother to believe it if it threatens our "way of life." I don't want to denigrate that impulse entirely--there are plenty of American Catholics, for example, who practice birth control, don't oppose abortion in all circumstances, and generally don't follow the Pope if they think he is being ideological. We are an ornery, individualistic bunch who don't like to be told what to do, and that will work against the "sacrifice to avoid climate change" message, IMHO.