Raghu writes:

>> > Furthermore, why is it so easy for the masses to learn to want to consume 
>> > and so
>> hard to learn to want the alternative?
>> >
>> I guess you want to suggest that it is *natural* for people to want to
>> consume. Consider though that there are many traditional cultures
>> where this consumption urge is much more restrained.
>> 
>> Of course you can "explain" that away as a result of genetic
>> differences between cultures (maybe the elusive IQ gene?). But then
>> you'd merely be circularly reinforcing your own ideological
>> preferences.
>> -raghu.

Jeez, if I was Jim Devine I would be offended how you were speculating about my 
views.  However, since I am not Jim Devine, feel free to speculate away and 
then speculate how I woiuld respond to your rebuttal.

In the meantime, I am just making a common sense observation.  I would think 
that if you were about to advocate an education campaign to achieve a goal, you 
would want to consider the realistic chances of success, and one important data 
point would be to consider how people actually act.  I mean, I don't think it 
takes a lot of "education" to convince people to like chocolate, sex, vacations 
in Hawaii, but convincing my kids to practice the piano, do their homework, 
etc. is often a real struggle no matter how much "education" I provide telling 
them how good piano and homework are for them.  I am prepared to accept that 
education has its limits in achieving many goals that I personally think are 
worthwhile.

David Shemano

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