Loren:
>Is saying that houses are way too big equivalent to saying that new
>construction is way too cheap, with many subsidies permitting
>perpetuating this arrangement?
I was only relating to how much space is required for a given family size.
In many suburban areas large houses are a source of pride, status,
investment, factors that bloat house size beyond what is ecologically
sustainable. Yours is a good thinking point. I don't know but suspect the
answer is yes, subsidies perpetuate waste, whether vehicular mileage or
oversized houses. Much of what our government does is geared to help
corporations give consumers what they want at a dollar price they can pay
and to encourage greater production and consumption. Growth, growth,
growth, as Edward Abbey said, the mentality of cancer cells. Lasts as long
as the host can survive or kills the cancer. I believe Gaia will win but I
don't know if we will see it.
