Surely, the Lowest Point in Human History Was....

[Florestan]

Just observation of the daily commute into Boston, e.g.

What do you use for that?

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Do you have any statistics to back up this claim?

The empirical proof is everywhere, dude!! Even when I'm on my bike!

[Karl Henning]

What do you use for that?

My eyes, chiefly  0:)  As I ride the bus, I am at liberty to watch the traffic around me.

[Florestan]

My eyes, chiefly  0:)  As I ride the bus, I am at liberty to watch the traffic around me.

I was refering to what you use for commuting. 

What is, in your opinion, the explanation of the fact that people prefer using their cars rather than public transportation?

[Karl Henning]

For the last few miles of I-93 southbound into Boston, there is a special lane for vehicles with two persons or more.  When I am lazy, I simply rely on all the people who fail to avail themselves of that faster, to indicate to me how much of the traffic is a matter of one person in the car.

[ibanezmonster]

Must be nice to have the option of bus service.

(though I probably wouldn't rely on the bus, still) 

[Karl Henning]

I was refering to what you use for commuting. 

What is, in your opinion, the explanation of the fact that people prefer using their cars rather than public transportation?

Rather a mobile of factors.

Is there not a way for the MBTA to get me to work and back in less time and with less bother than driving myself?  Do I have affordable parking at my workplace?  If not, do I just make enough money that I nonetheless consider it worth the cost to park in the city?  Am I traveling elsewhere, rather than simply back home, after my workday?

[Karl Henning]

Must be nice to have the option of bus service.

(though I probably wouldn't rely on the bus, still) 

Much occasion as we have to complain about the MBTA (and, yes, its service and reliability ought to be better), I do realize that Boston has a better public transportation network than many another city in the US.

[Florestan]

Is there not a way for the MBTA to get me to work and back in less time and with less bother than driving myself?

Well, is it?

[Moonfish]

Sea Slaves

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/world/outlaw-ocean-thailand-fishing-sea-slaves-pets.html

Life among the sea slaves

[Moonfish]

You know, I wasn't condemning the entire petroleum products industry; nor was Moonfish; merely the predominance of the internal combustion engine and the mentality that allows for a majority of cars transporting only a single person.

+1

[Moonfish]

Stalin's death camps....

[asin] 1400034094[/asin]

[Moonfish]

Hmm, sounds like people are sensitive about the "oil culture"! Is that because we live within it and have to defend our way of life?  I don't think the public in general considers the cost of the oil consumption (its retrieval, transport, combustion) leading to pollution of air, water, soil, climate, human health problems as well as destruction of habitat/species as we so happily/gingerly consume the excess of what the fossil energy brings "civilization". I am obviously aware of my own impact on these matters, but strive towards reduction. If we do not find an alternative source of energy we are heading for major problems. In terms of the single issue of climate change it appears as if the nations of the world are so arthritic that nothing will happen except symbolic meetings. 

This is a low point for sure...

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/much-of-the-world-has-never-heard-of-climate-change/

[Moonfish]

Colonialism!

[asin] 0618001905[/asin]

I read that more than eight million people died in the Belgian Congo due to King Leopold's policies...!!!!  Isn't colonialism and the culture of superiority of the colonizers another low point of human history? 

[jochanaan]

I read that more than eight million people died in the Belgian Congo due to King Leopold's policies...!!!!  Isn't colonialism and the culture of superiority of the colonizers another low point of human history?

Yes.

And for the record, I have not owned an automobile for 19 years now.  I get around by public transit--which is still internal combustion for the most part, or electricity derived from burning coal, but still more efficient than lots of people driving a car with no other passengers--bicycle, and foot.  My "carbon footprint" is not zero, but not far from it.

Yet the oil in the ground is not limitless.  Now is the time to look for alternative methods of producing energy and the other benefits we get from petrochemicals.  And it can't happen too soon!

[Moonfish]

Jonathan Glover's book provides interesting perspectives of humanity...

Reviewed in NYT by Steven Pinker: https://www.nytimes.com/books/00/10/29/reviews/001029.29pinkert.html

[asin] 0300186401[/asin]

[Todd]

Yet the oil in the ground is not limitless.

Not limitless, but there is still a whole lot to extract.  Per the US EIA, there are more proven reserves now than in 2011, for instance.  Increased exploration in the Artic will doubtless yield even more. 

[Moonfish]

One of the greatest energy issues over the next few decades will be the increasing coal consumption (especially in India and China) leading to further environmental consequences. After all, most nations in the world strive towards the level of US per capita energy consumption.

The recent access to more fossil fuel is likely to have strong consequences for "green energy" research and development.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/new-era-of-cheap-oil-will-destroy-green-revolution-9922217.html

[Florestan]

My "carbon footprint" is not zero, but not far from it.

Really?

I suppose you live in a home which has electric lighting and power, running water, sewage and, depending on where you live, heating or airconditioning or possibly both. All these imply.... yes, you´re right: internal combustion engines (not to mention coal burning).

I suppose you don´t grow your own food and make your own beverages but buy them on the market. This implies... yes, you´re right: internal combustion engines (not to mention coal burning).

I suppose you don´t make your own clothes and shoes and furniture and carpets etc but buy them on the market. This implies... yes, you´re right: internal combustion engines (not to mention coal burning).

I also suppose you have lots of books and CDs and plan to buy more in the future. The manufacturing, distribution and sales of CDs and books imply... yes, you´re right: internal combustion engines (not to mention coal burning).

Need I go on?

So you see, even if you personally don´t drive a car, the production and supply of your very basic necessities of life and the little things that make it enjoyable involve at practically every stage other people driving cars.

Unless you are prepared and willing to live in a home with no power and electricity, no running water, no sewage, no heating and no airconditioning, to grow your own food and make your own beverages, your own clothes, shoes, furniture etc without using any form of energy supply other than the sunrays, the wind and the natural-running water, to stop buying CDs and books and whatever else is manufactured and sold on the market --- unless you do that your carbon footprint is very far from being zero, and believing otherwise is just wishful thinking.

lots of people driving a car with no other passengers

Have you ever thought about the fact that there are lots of people for whom traveling across the city (and even beyond it) multiple times a day is actually a job description? Engineers, lawyers, insurance brokers, sales representatives, suppliers, contractors, plumbers and other types of technicians etc etc etc --- all these people need to travel, and travel fast, because time is money for them, too, just like for everybody else who works. There is really no way for them other than driving cars.

[Moonfish]

I suspect that Jochanaan is well aware of what he consumes in his life. I viewed his post as thoughts about reducing one's carbon footprint in terms of transportation - not as not having one. Obviously we all have a "footprint". Regardless, cellular respiration qualifies us by default.    0:)