Dumbest Thing. Ever.

A few days ago, I was scrolling through all the Twitter messages ("tweets") from all the people I follow just to see if anyone had anything more interesting to say other than that they just had another cup of coffee or were sitting on an airplane when I ran across this link someone posted: http://www.supportmfm.org/.

For those that don't actually want to click on the link, it takes you to the homepage of "Meat Free Monday." From the homepage: "It's a food campaign to encourage the nation to help slow climate change by reducing their meat consumption by having at least one meat free day a week." What?! If you actually read on, it is only SLIGHTLY less ridiculous than that sounds. What's even more ridiculous is that Paul McCartney is a huge supporter of this thing.

Beyond the premise of "Meat Free Monday," I get so annoyed that people speak of climate change as if someone definitively proved that it is a threat to the future of mankind (http://climatedebatedaily.com/ tracks academic/scientific arguments for both sides) or somehow think it's a noble cause to throw their weight behind. In short, I tend to think that trying to curb CO2 emissions has a greater cost to humanity than the development that comes with it (as an exaggerated illustration, what if the Industrial Revolution never happened? We'd have lower carbon emissions, but would we really be "better off"?). It's like recycling: everyone just assumes it's a good thing so everyone should do it when in truth some things (like concrete) cost more energy to recycle than to just reproduce - you gotta do your research.

I think Al Gore did a disservice by using worst-case-scenario climate model predictions, relying on source data that is criticized, making much of his argument based on inverted causality (historically, changes in levels of C02 don't precede but rather FOLLOW temperature changes)...I could continue. Hey, remember the little cartoon part about the dying polar bears? Well polar bear populations have actually increased globally in the last 40 years.

I'm not saying that I don't care about the future of our planet or that scientist should not explore facts behind climate change. I think it's a good thing that An Inconvenient Truth brought attention to a branch of science that needs more attention and development. What I am saying is that the only thing you're accomplishing by not eating meat on Monday is missing out on some good food.

You-Twit-Face - Thanks Conan

"In the year 3000 YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook will merge into one super-time-wasting website called 'You Twit Face'." - Conan O'Brien

In response to my sister's blog about all the new technology out there:
http://tigerlilies-leanne.blogspot.com/

America is obsessed with celebrity.

That's the bottom line. Anyone can be a celebrity with you-tube and everyone wants to live like a celebrity. That's why we have these things - not for "news" or "social networking" - we want people to see and hear us. It's like being on stage - except most everyone isn't doing anything that anyone else wants to know, hear, or see us do. It's just narcissism.

The world would still go on without twitter or facebook. Sure I think newspapers will become extinct - there are easier ways of getting the information. But information from everyone? I don't know if I really want that. The media is the most un-objective it's ever been and it's only getting worse. Do I really want to know Joe-blow's opinions from the CNN wiki? no

John Mayer, Oprah, Michelle Obama, FOX, and CNN. Not the most stellar team of informers out there. I think being connected can serve a purpose - but I don't know if getting "Left Behind" is really what's going to happen to people who don't embrace new technology. Left behind what? The goings on of Miss California? John Mayer's next bimbo date? Oprah? CNN or FOX coverage? Seeing all of those names together makes me cringe. ha

I have and use all of the different mediums you listed: Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, E-blogger, Flickr - Well some of them I don't use very much anymore (myspace/flickr). I even have all those Apps for my phone. But sometimes I just want to throw it in the trash too.

They definitely serve a purpose - I just don't know how important that purpose is. We'll see I guess.

P.S. *you can view this response on my blog and facebook* ;)

Target... Here we come!

Linz left this morning for her first day at Target. She was very excited and very tired. I am happy she has found something she wants to do. I'm also very proud of her. She is incredibly smart and driven. She is going to go far..... and I'm going with her!

"In the year 3000..."

"...YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook will merge into one super-time-wasting website called 'You Twit Face'." - Conan O'Brien

The Power of One Man

http://tr.im/niLF

(Thanks Stirman)