On Tue, 25 May 1999, Jeff Owens wrote:
> Sandra wrote:
>
> The co-op I am living in has a fledgling internal computer
> network. About a quarter of the units are wired. The idea
> is to facilitate communication.
>
> Hummm, that is interesting. A way to connect people locally. With
> the right cultural attitudes this could lead to some interesting
> interactions. Ride sharing, errand combining, cooperative child
> care, problem solving, meal sharing, etc. If you don't feel like
> interacting then store up messages till later.
Yes, that's the vision. We're pretty far from it right now though.
snip
> Standard methods which can be taught once. Linux would need
> some improvements to make it friendlier for new users... a
> possibility.
Not really. If computers would come with Linux installed rather than
windows, most people would find it as easy, or difficult to use depending
on whether one finds computers easy or difficult to begin with. There is a
lot to be done in terms of applications though.
>
> I can envision a future where computers make cars completely unnecessary.
>
> My vision gets fuzzy when we start eliminating cars. That is OK,
> we don't have to develop a perfect vision at this point in time.
> The next step is probably to introduce efficient cars and make the
> road hogs we have today too expensive.
While I recognize that the pollution from the running of
cars is a serious environmental problem, moving to more efficient cars
does not eliminate the pollution involved in their manufacture, nor does
it eliminate what I consider to be the much more serious problem:
pavement. I would see the move to more efficient cars as an impediment to
sustainability. It would allow people to, in good conscience, delay the
deeper changes needed to the underlying structures of society.
Also, mass transport will
> begin a slow comeback at some point in time. You can see the
> auto companies planning for all this and doing research on
> efficient cars.
They work in their own self interest. Oil supplies will eventually run
out.
>
> For a short while Honda was selling an Electronic Vehicle that
> some thought would grow into an alternative. Then, a few
> weeks ago they stopped making it. The cost was $53,000 and
> the batteries did not last very long. Now there is speculation
> they will try again with a hybrid vehicle (half electric
> and half gas). See:
>
> http://evworld.com/interviews/sporton.html
And will I find there, the marketable corporate view of sustainability?
sph
Sandra P. Hoffman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.flora.org/sandra/
It's a thankless job, but
I've got a lot of karma to burn off.
