Spring Break
DDT case highlights ignorance
Brian Lancaster
Issue date: 2/4/09 Section: Opinion
I don't know what it is about me that makes all the Plaza protestors think I want to talk to them.
Maybe it's my resigned "going-to-class-and-not-very-happy-about-it" look. Maybe it's the headphones that are constantly over my ears. Maybe it's the general "please don't talk to me" look on my face.
For some reason (maybe they like a challenge), the activists on the Plaza always seem to find me and try to get me to listen to them, sign something or come home with them for free candy (that was a weird one).
Really, I have a conscience. I do. But I don't feel bad about my interactions with these people, especially the environmentalists.
"Hi, do you have a minute to talk about the environment?"
"No."
Or my personal favorite that happened just this recent Friday:
"Hey, I really dig that jacket." I was wearing a green Colorado State jacket.
"Oh, thanks."
"Yeah, are you thinking that color right now?"
"Yeah … no, not really."
I feel bad. But not much.
You see, I don't have much respect for environmentalists. They just seem to annoy me because their goals are so limited, and they have too much passion with not enough sight.
I know you're asking how too much passion can possibly be a good thing, and I do have an answer prepared, just for you. It's actually something I read on cracked.com, which is a well-researched humor site.
I know: humor? Research? Together?
Anyway, here's just one reason why I hate environmentalists: DDT.
DDT was a pesticide that was used way back in the day, until a book called "Silent Spring" let all of humanity in on a little piece of truth: DDT was a carcinogen, and it even was dangerous to certain animals, especially specific birds.
Environmentalists flocked to the cause of saving these birds without truly thinking about the implications of their actions or without verifying any research. The research, by the way, was, for the most part, ridiculously faulty.
Maybe it's my resigned "going-to-class-and-not-very-happy-about-it" look. Maybe it's the headphones that are constantly over my ears. Maybe it's the general "please don't talk to me" look on my face.
For some reason (maybe they like a challenge), the activists on the Plaza always seem to find me and try to get me to listen to them, sign something or come home with them for free candy (that was a weird one).
Really, I have a conscience. I do. But I don't feel bad about my interactions with these people, especially the environmentalists.
"Hi, do you have a minute to talk about the environment?"
"No."
Or my personal favorite that happened just this recent Friday:
"Hey, I really dig that jacket." I was wearing a green Colorado State jacket.
"Oh, thanks."
"Yeah, are you thinking that color right now?"
"Yeah … no, not really."
I feel bad. But not much.
You see, I don't have much respect for environmentalists. They just seem to annoy me because their goals are so limited, and they have too much passion with not enough sight.
I know you're asking how too much passion can possibly be a good thing, and I do have an answer prepared, just for you. It's actually something I read on cracked.com, which is a well-researched humor site.
I know: humor? Research? Together?
Anyway, here's just one reason why I hate environmentalists: DDT.
DDT was a pesticide that was used way back in the day, until a book called "Silent Spring" let all of humanity in on a little piece of truth: DDT was a carcinogen, and it even was dangerous to certain animals, especially specific birds.
Environmentalists flocked to the cause of saving these birds without truly thinking about the implications of their actions or without verifying any research. The research, by the way, was, for the most part, ridiculously faulty.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
jimmy
posted 2/04/09 @ 8:35 AM MST
Well said, and nicely done!
Try this
posted 2/05/09 @ 9:51 AM MST
Don't look at them, don't stare at them, look at the ground in the opposite direction, let your ego go on vacation; you don't need to prove them wrong, that's what they want you to try. (Continued…)
Oppenheimer
posted 2/05/09 @ 9:56 AM MST
It's cute that you dismiss environmentalists for glossing over the facts on the way to a speedy conclusion when you do exactly the same thing here.
Instead of producing an informative article that might actually help people get an understanding of an important global topic, you've just fallen into knee-jerk, in-your-face blogging - not journalism. (Continued…)
Post a Comment