This is a bit misleading, since according to the story the strike follows a no-confidence vote dealing with misallocaiton of funds and such issues as increased class sizes as well as salaries, but I think the main point of this posting is a continuation of the theme that no good deed should go unpunished, which keeps cropping up on this list. We, the Ecologists, are the Good Guys, and we should suffer. The rest of the world is inherently evil, so they can do what they want.
How should we save the planet? I envision an environmentally aware family walking along the side of the road juggling packages from the market (because they refuse to accept plastic bags) and setting a good example for their neighbours, who of course drive to the supermarket in a gas guzzler. Do you think the neighbours are impressed? How many of your neighbours have been shamed into swapping their Jeep Cherokees for a bicycle? Some of the posters on this list have publicly apologised for using an SUV to take half a dozen students and heavy equipment into wild areas far from any roads. Isn't that what 4x4s are for? The problem is not ecological field trips, it is single-passenger vehicles stuck in highway traffic jams. I see no reason why I should feel obliged to make more sacrifices than anyone else just because I am environmentally aware. We are all in this together, and I think we should all take steps to protect our environment, not just the few who are knowledgable. There are steps that can be taken that affect everyone. Higher prices for fossil fuels for example, not just for driving but for power generation as well. Subsidies for green alternatives. Steps to improve traffic flow. More efficient urban street lighting. Even -- gasp! -- coercive measures like laws against wasteful practices. In short, I think we should see conservation as something that everybody does, and not just a chosen few wearing hair shirts. And once we are all doing our bit, I think that the best and the brightest have just as much right to a good living as anyone else. There is no reason why I should feel forced to accept a salary that is not commensurate with my education and skills (there is actually, I'm retired, but that is not my point). Bill Silvert ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Cherubini" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 8:25 PM Subject: Re: Equilibrium/Steady State and Complexity/Evolution > Could even university faculty members and administrators > somehow be pursuaded not to aggressively seek six figure > incomes and the material affluence that kind of money can buy? > > http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/142191.html > > "California State University professors throughout the > state -- overwhelmingly authorized a strike over salaries", > faculty leaders said.
