Hypocrites Unite!!!!
September 29th 2008 04:06
This is the title of a story by George Monbiot CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE STORY defending the Green movement of being Hypocrites. He rightly points out that most human beings are in fact hypocrites and in the Green movement because of its diversity this can also be said.
I think it is ok to talk the talk even if you don't perfectly walk the walk, as long as we all have a genuine go at being good environmental citizens, hell, even the US President doesn't have to be perfect anymore........
Anyhow his article isn't exactly light hearted, it is a serious defense but I would rather be a light hearted "greenie" trying to do my bit, albeit slightly imperfectly than a sanctimonious consumer of all things chemical any day of the week. At least we have good intentions.
The question I guess I have, is does not being you perfect make you a hypocrite?
Cheers
Louie
I think it is ok to talk the talk even if you don't perfectly walk the walk, as long as we all have a genuine go at being good environmental citizens, hell, even the US President doesn't have to be perfect anymore........
Anyhow his article isn't exactly light hearted, it is a serious defense but I would rather be a light hearted "greenie" trying to do my bit, albeit slightly imperfectly than a sanctimonious consumer of all things chemical any day of the week. At least we have good intentions.
The question I guess I have, is does not being you perfect make you a hypocrite?
Cheers
Louie
photo courtesy of www.morguefile.com
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Louie
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Comment by alt_ed
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I'm really not much of a vocal 'greenie', and I'm also not that consciously aware of my impact on the earth; i love mcdonalds, and like pretty shiny consumer goods... but i always by organic chickens when i do my grocery shop, and peace farm eggs... i use an organic shampoo and conditioner, and my butter & milk soap is not tested on animals... I rescued my puppy from the RSPCA and i always have a full recycling bin... BUT my electricity consumption is through the roof and I love nothing more than a loooooooooong hot shower!
So ill keep my mouth shut on the green issue, and save my hypocritical commentary for discussions of morals and decency
Comment by Louie
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no-one is perfect and it sounds like you make an effort....
Comment by Joanne Isaac
For example, to the general public 'greenies' include anything from animal right supporters, to conservationists, to more general 'environmentalists'.
Not only do some of these groups not have a 'green' agenda (for example - animal rights - although by default being a vegan or veggie makes you green i suppose!?), but when the groups come into conflict (for example over exotic predator eradication plans) then it can generally reflect badly on the whole environmental movement....
Anyway - sorry, i digress, and i haven't answered your question....i don't think anyone can be 'perfect' - merely by existing on the planet we are all contributing in some way to climate change, depletion of resources...etc. Even if we live in a log cabin in the middle of woop woop...
As long as you do the best you can, to the best of your ability, and don't feel a hypocrite within yourself - then your doing pretty good, i say!
Nice birdy pic!
Jo
Comment by Damo
Hypocrisy is just a word that some people throw about to muddy the waters.
Cynicism is the usual alternative to Hypocrisy.
Too many people judge others of a level of perfection that they themselves cannot match.
Yet if we wait for perfect people to do something then nothing would happen.
Comment by Louie
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so true Damo, so true...... there is never a perfect time to do anything, so if you wait nothing ever gets done.
Comment by Louie
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i totally agree on this point!!!!!!!
and as for the diversity of green groups, yes t all gets a bit muddies and frustrating at the different agenda's, as long as they all try to do good, then its good by me.
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"Do as I say...NOT as I do"?????
Comment by sandeye
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As for going green - I think it has got to the stage where people should do SOMETHING, because i do not think the government ever will! Not til the very last moment when THEY can afford to make it through, but everyday people have run out of options!!
I would never shove my greenness down anyone's throat, I am NOT perfect - but I have taken several personal steps to 'do my bit'.
I do not use a car, microwave, heating, cooling, dishwasher, cell phone, VCR, TV, radio, washer, dryer, ipod, etc - but I do have a small bar-fridge, computer, and hi-fi!. I grow some of my own organic vegetables, but I do not grow 100% or use my entire yard.
Despite getting a round of gasps for my accomplishments, I am not done! I use myself as an example of what CAN be done if wished - not a model of perfection, or a role model - just 'an example'.
I do feel that more people should start to make examples of themselves, though - lol!
Comment by Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
Do you tell your kids not to do something, but do it?
swearing, drinking, smoking, etc etc.
The enviroment is the same.
Unless you're living out in the mountains with a self suficient farm - chances are you're creating a fair bit of pollution.
Have you seen Al Gore in action? The dude spends 16 hours a day on his pc/laptop.
No one is perfect and its impossible, got you have to try and live by your word.
- Jarrah
Back to the Eighties.net
Comment by Lilla
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Ah Louie the road to hell (we are told) is paved with good intentions. It is in acts that we shed the skin of hypocrisy, no matter how small the action... and Monbiot sums it up so well when he says:
The truth is that no one~perfect~person can stop this mess we have gotten ourselves into environmentally. It will take millions of imperfect hypocrites to do exactly what you have suggested ... firstly, like alcoholics, we have to admit that we do have a problem and stop being hypocrites, using science, media confusion, or technology to justify another frivolous purchase that we know dam well is neither required or needed .. simply because our brainwashed consumerist minds scream out that we have to have it, NOW!
It is the individual hypocrite who must fight to buy/consume less; replace light bulbs with eco-friendly varieties; turn hot water tanks down a few degrees, set the air conditioner to 24 or 25 as a comfortable level, buy food with less packaging and recycle where possible; park further, walk more, cycle every now and then. Eat less/right, waste less and invest in only bonifide green (non~pollution~belching undistries) ... not to be a good citizen but as a responsible means to ensure future supply.
As Monbiot says, the rich can buffer themselves : hell, most have already bought their tickets to Mia anyway (as I said)...
Thats the bottom line and as imperfect simpletons we contribute more by these simple means than all millionaires, scientists and greenie lunatics (or corporations) put together, those conglomorations who have gone green (or simply declare themselves as green) after making millions from dirty grey means (the world bank and certain stock market commodities come to mind here), just for starters!
A small imperfect, human being gives more (in my opinion) by buying food with less packaging and holding on to whitegoods well beyond their warranty; than millionaires with their eco-friendly hotel spas, all built from money previously invested in pollution belching factories in China and India or God knws where? ... Not that I dont admire those who have the conscience to build them, but to me they are the supreme hypocrites in the whole equation because the misdemeanour of their pollution contributions are on such a grand scale as to make me sneeze.
Aaa-choo ..and Amen.
Lilla ...