@Rob The issue with results based action is that the method used to get the result is not emphasized enough. Should we not question why some less savory/ethical methods are chosen over more considerate methods? Being made aware of local laws and breaking them are not mutually inclusive.
It's easy to forgive something when there's truly no harm done. When there is harm done, most civilians are quick to step back and play the blame game, to avoid accountability. I was raised with different morals. I took my fair share of group punishments--I've learned to be more involved and more community-like, to rescue and support fellow members if they do bad, not by asking for mercy/forgiveness, but to make up for it by paying in some manner than results in a win-win situation. If we did something, we did it together. It's a powerful feeling, and a dangerous one, hence why we introduced guiding principles (core values) to direct the group. This worked out far more efficiently than any sort of democracy. It could be as simple as, "Do no evil."
@Hedge Monkey Renewable energy comes with costs. Wind farms kill birds, including offshore ones. Solar is relatively expensive, takes up real estate, and there's limited sun hours which varies throughout the year. They're variable and require storage and flexible demand. It's a lot more complex than you think. It's ignorant to say they're the future, arrogant to speak for others, and hypocritical to preach it if you don't happen to practice it. We live in the present and work with what we have. We'd probably be better off living underground too, but we don't. Face the facts.
As I said before, going faster than 15.5 mph comes with significant aero drag. This simple graph shows this relation in terms of cycling. Be glad the motor isn't limited to 12 mph.
What problem does derestricting your motor solve? What benefit does it provide humanity? Is it virtuous or merely selfish? Think of the downsides and byproducts... if you say there aren't any, or struggle to find any significance in them, you might be in denial.
Did you know car manufacturers optimize their gearing to coincide with certain speed limits for better fuel economy? What happens when speed limits in certain areas change, does gearing change with it or is the choice of being inefficient left with the drivers, who may be ignorant of such compromise?
If we had abundant affordable and clean energy, a lot of problems would be solved, including this one. Perhaps throw some of your support at fusion power and make this solution a possibility.
Don't forget that your argument can be turned against you. If you extol the virtues of being low impact and compare to the inefficiency in other systems (which provide a utilitarian benefit), others can say the same about ebikes regarding how walking or using regular bikes are even lower impact. Your method of asking for progress assumes that progress is needed.
I personally have the impression that first world countries are inventing a whole lot of silly problems for themselves. I see the world reacting to pressure to change, but don't see much pressure here. I just see self-centered greed, envy, and a bit of wrath (grudges). I also see the ugliness of democracy... I'd say more about this, but can tell people are emotionally attached and begrudging stick to their choice, treating any opposing reason as a personal insult. I suppose I'll share this analogy, where I perceive this similarly to a scenario in which a grown child questions their parents about disadvantages regarding their genetics and/or their birth place and seeks to take action themselves to change that illegally (e.g. doping or forged documents), aiming to meet some personal standard they created.
P.S. I'm interested in reading scientific papers studying the feasibility of solar and wind replacing fossil fuel, that prove they're the future. I do look out for it, but haven't seen anything besides the typical vaporware (e.g. promising tech). I'm wondering people know something I don't, bringing up such a topic...
It's easy to forgive something when there's truly no harm done. When there is harm done, most civilians are quick to step back and play the blame game, to avoid accountability. I was raised with different morals. I took my fair share of group punishments--I've learned to be more involved and more community-like, to rescue and support fellow members if they do bad, not by asking for mercy/forgiveness, but to make up for it by paying in some manner than results in a win-win situation. If we did something, we did it together. It's a powerful feeling, and a dangerous one, hence why we introduced guiding principles (core values) to direct the group. This worked out far more efficiently than any sort of democracy. It could be as simple as, "Do no evil."
@Hedge Monkey Renewable energy comes with costs. Wind farms kill birds, including offshore ones. Solar is relatively expensive, takes up real estate, and there's limited sun hours which varies throughout the year. They're variable and require storage and flexible demand. It's a lot more complex than you think. It's ignorant to say they're the future, arrogant to speak for others, and hypocritical to preach it if you don't happen to practice it. We live in the present and work with what we have. We'd probably be better off living underground too, but we don't. Face the facts.
As I said before, going faster than 15.5 mph comes with significant aero drag. This simple graph shows this relation in terms of cycling. Be glad the motor isn't limited to 12 mph.
What problem does derestricting your motor solve? What benefit does it provide humanity? Is it virtuous or merely selfish? Think of the downsides and byproducts... if you say there aren't any, or struggle to find any significance in them, you might be in denial.
Did you know car manufacturers optimize their gearing to coincide with certain speed limits for better fuel economy? What happens when speed limits in certain areas change, does gearing change with it or is the choice of being inefficient left with the drivers, who may be ignorant of such compromise?
If we had abundant affordable and clean energy, a lot of problems would be solved, including this one. Perhaps throw some of your support at fusion power and make this solution a possibility.
Don't forget that your argument can be turned against you. If you extol the virtues of being low impact and compare to the inefficiency in other systems (which provide a utilitarian benefit), others can say the same about ebikes regarding how walking or using regular bikes are even lower impact. Your method of asking for progress assumes that progress is needed.
I personally have the impression that first world countries are inventing a whole lot of silly problems for themselves. I see the world reacting to pressure to change, but don't see much pressure here. I just see self-centered greed, envy, and a bit of wrath (grudges). I also see the ugliness of democracy... I'd say more about this, but can tell people are emotionally attached and begrudging stick to their choice, treating any opposing reason as a personal insult. I suppose I'll share this analogy, where I perceive this similarly to a scenario in which a grown child questions their parents about disadvantages regarding their genetics and/or their birth place and seeks to take action themselves to change that illegally (e.g. doping or forged documents), aiming to meet some personal standard they created.
P.S. I'm interested in reading scientific papers studying the feasibility of solar and wind replacing fossil fuel, that prove they're the future. I do look out for it, but haven't seen anything besides the typical vaporware (e.g. promising tech). I'm wondering people know something I don't, bringing up such a topic...
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