EARTH HOUR 2008, 29 March Saturday

You were meant to turn your pc off.

Nu-uh... It's the thought that counts. Besides, something is better than nothing - in this case.

Rs is an important element in human growth - Maffs, 2008.
Oh well, my mum was like "only turn the lights off".
How did we now the exact time to turn them off w/o the tv on?

Global warming is not about Al Gore. That's like saying Einstein invented science. Everyone knows that Al Gore is a hypocrit, and that he makes unsupported assumptions in his movie, along with poor information (except, there are still quite a lot of valid points in the movie).

Al Gore is put on centre stage because 1) he's a political figure and 2) he got highlighted by the media, along with making his own film. There are thousands of top scientists and scientifical organisations who would tell you global warming is a real danger, but they don't generally 'put themselves out there'. By taking action against human-induced climate change (and of course, contribution to smog, toxic ozone, and acid rain), you are not following Al Gore but the whole movement that Al Gore only played a minor role in it.

Al Gore seems to 'have a lot to do with it' because critics and internet-based skeptics quote him all the time pretending he's the only one in belief of AGW.

Which is exactly why I really can't trust everything I hear... Because a good percentage of it (these days) is influenced by politics; Al gore.

I care for the planet...
But do you understand what I'm trying to get at?

Sorry, this is long and by no means am I pointing at you, more so on the points you've raised. Know that, I totally understand you care. This is more of statements in sweep to the general reader (if anymore from here) So, I'll pen it all here.

You're right in the sense about not being naturally peaceful creatures. But I do not think knowledge and understanding makes it truly possible to be peaceful if there's a lack of letting go "self" as oppose to "all others". Thinking collectively rather than based on individualism. Sometimes there's a mix. Compassion is needed, but sometimes compassion also has its stupid and blind side, where sometimes to help can cause the other party to drown in their mistakes if they refuse to learn and take advantage. Hence, not helping can become helping. It boils down to the intention and the level of wisdom, possibly that's where strong understanding with goodwill comes into play.

If we are judgmental about peace, there lies a question of trust. And what formed that trust is then based on several factors that defines justifications. Enough to earn it and to give it. Sometimes, its even the end result of gain for a particular person judging from their actions. Such as Gore. In many ways I support Tuna's evaluation.

To me, even if Gore is a hypocrite and overrated, there's one thing that I'm pretty sure of, and that is, a cause like this is hopeful but it can be very heartbreaking. Most of the time, it reaps criticisms and hard battles. To have been consistent in the cause, is in its own way, commendable. Of course, there can be a twist to it - using a good cause that no one takes up the arduous task, leveraging on your stature to make it happen, good or bad, you win. That's a psychological play that many smart-asses like to play, which can make them worse than blunt jerks. But if i were to think about the end result and what it is for, I would think smart ass or not, I would support it if only much of the earning gains (not monetary) goes into saving the environment effectively, long term.

Thinking on an even more macro way, Gore is but a tool for all ye who wishes to push for the cause and nothing else. And if he gladly takes the role, even if it means it gives him selfish gains - that would be him moping in his own shallow castle. If he can live with that till the day he dies, then I would see it as he chose to be a convenient tool. And if he did embezzle his own doings, truth will surface - the damage is more than any risks, more so, unable to explain unless he turns in his grave: the price does not end when one passes away. You do pay the price eventually, and almost eternally. Your choice.

As for the cause, I do understand where you come from where politicians are concerned and I stand on the same ground. I don't normally trust politicians. They are good at what they do, precisely. But, I won't equate that to 100%. Some good grounds of politics have changed over the years from a significant few. But mostly they are about the same principles. Yet, the public goes with the system, because its a cycle. Who you choose is what you get. Simple as that. You don't choose, you null but you will be over-ruled by the majority who followed the system. Then, public should hold responsibility as much as those in the limelight. In general, we allow ourselves to get suck into it - hence, the saying of majority is always right - not really true.

However, to be fair, there are those politicians who play the game in order to achieve the right thing - just that a different intention sets them apart from all others who are politically and socially selfish. Rarely, can you find one who is an open book and strong - I'd call them rare of the rarest kind, and the kind many are willing to trample over and also others who are wise, willing with a lot of guts & courage to support them over their own lives. These, will become true legends. True legends who win hearts hands down, even their antagonists, not purely brutes - brutes are easily tyrants.

We are a complex system of beings. I would be harsh to say this but in a collective sense, if this is the way we have chosen collectively, then if we face the consequence in a collective conclusion, I can't say more than to say we deserve it. Spare just a few who did all they can.

I might even dare say, Earth or not, if we manage to find a way to cross galaxies to survive in another planet, doing the same thing as we are now - expending all reserves for our own wants and needs, this specie will do it. Eliminating absolute threats to absolute survival, as a collective specie - we won't learn until its absolute extinction at stake but to the price of all others except ourselves.

In the end, we do have to be mindful if we do not take heed, we have to bear the largest responsibility to all life here, or anywhere if ever, no one to blame but as a specie, shamefully ourselves. And if that day do come, when the specie is to be extinct, we cannot say, it isn't the right thing to happen.