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Tom Jacques

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Why changing the energy ? why don't we change our system, our lifestyle?

Since a cupple weeks I saw on Ted many video about new energies, new materials.
These video are very interesting but why do we want to change the energy?

For environment? : The environment crisis is in part cause by these materials, but the problems isn't the material is the surconsommation, our lifestyle.

To make money with ecologic object and new energy?

And we know that the hapiness is not hide in object!
Why do we want to continue this crazy lifestyle full of stress with bad value?

Then I arrived on this question: Changing the energy or lifestyle?

Thanks for answering me ( am I the only person tired of the society?)

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    May 25 2011: To start, I'll say that I study renewable energy, I live in an ecovillage, and I bike almost everywhere. I agree that it would be good if most people would think more about sustainability and using less energy... but what I see around me is that people will use what is available to them. Furthermore, I believe that people always make the decision that is apparently best for them, but this doesn't mean that they know everything about the choices they make. Choice is largely based on priorities. So while your priority is using less energy, someone else's priority may be to get somewhere faster. Someone else might be convinced that the world would be a better place if everyone knew five Shakespeare plays by heart... how could they convince you to put in the effort to do this, or that it is a necessary thing for you to do?

    Yes, that example is silly, but it remains true that the world is full of people with different personalities and priorities. No large group of people is ever going to come to a true consensus on the best way to live. Each person chooses how to live for themselves, but the choice they don't necessarily have is what is around them to utilize. Right now, we have electricity, cars, supermarkets, and the internet. I doubt many people will give these up because you ask them too. The only way they will change what they use is if they find something better (for them).

    The way we generate a lot of our power now is dirty. I would like to see it be cleaner. That is my priority. So I work in the area of renewable energy. Also, I am always talking to people about clean energy, giving them more information so that they might see how it is better and choose to support it. So, I guess if you want other people to change their lifestyle, you will need to show (not tell) them what changes they can make and how it will make their life better. And always keep an eye open for what you can learn from them, too.
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    May 19 2011: Personally I think technology has the potential to change behavior. It's totally possible to revolutionize our lifestyles IF corporations & governments start adopting these technologies en masse, via perhaps advertising or policymaking. Because our society is currently structured in the 80-20 paradigm, where most of the power rests with few institutions, I think that businesses and governments should take the lead in this matter.

    But we individuals who care can make an impact as well by signing petitions, voting in representatives to pass bills, and changing our own behavior first. =)
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    May 17 2011: I think it is alot easier to create new technology than it is to change people who don't want to change. People enjoy the way they live and are not going to change to save the environment or any other reason that can be brought forward.
    I also believe that humans prefer advancement/creation to change.
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      May 17 2011: Are you sure that people enjoy the way they live?

      And maybe they think that's the best and the only way.. (but they are propably wrong and we can show to them... no?)
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    May 16 2011: Thanks for answering me. !! You are saying that we have to change both (energie and lifestyle)! but it is possible?

    Many peoples said to me that we can't and we have to just change the technologic aspect but do you think is possible to change value? lifestyle? (is it probably harder..)But If we have as much scientits than ''phylosophes'' or speakers maybe we can..
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    May 16 2011: because if you change both.....well...
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      May 16 2011: Yeah for sure, but I wanted to show a bit the economic aspect of enviromnent!
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    May 16 2011: Why must there be a choice between the two? Also what is your solution to mobilise people into changing their lifestyle en masse?
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    May 16 2011: I am with you, keep pushing and challenging strangers to these ideas. If you change a hand full of people those future children will be more aware. Awareness, reason, and skepticism are needed for the world to change for the better.

    Life styles and energy needs to be changed. And you are not the only person tired of modern societies. Any culture that does not accept change is a culture I put little value into. Minor changes are in edible in culture yes, but they are so slight and the sciences in which humans play with today are very dangerous. We need everyone on a common ground understanding what makes their lives push forward. Whether that is self, environment, and educations people need to start considering reality for what it is just as much as what they want it to be.