a Case Against "Utopian Social Engineering"
llustration by Istockphoto.com/FreelanceblokeI have recently written an article concerning "green" design and how the direction it takes will affect the design industry. It is likely to stir opinions one way or the other... and at the very least offer something to think about.
You are invited to partake in an intelligent exchange of thoughts, ideas, comments, etc
... on AVA LIVING.COM :
http://www.avaliving.com/article.php?aid=951
I read your excellent article and am in total agreement with you. Bravo for pointing out the obvious truths. What happened to the tools for assessing the cost, viability or desirability of any change? What happened to concepts like "opportunity cost" and "entropy," etc.?
ReplyDeleteI have a personal ax to grind with one aspect of "going green" in the design world. I, like thousands of people, have photosensitivity, and the government mandated fluorescent lighting cooks our skin more severely than the sun does (and no, sun screen does not prevent this damage, as it does not block out all the rays emitted by this type of lighting.) This problem is so severe for some photosensitivity individuals that they have to leave employment or schools where this type of lighting is utilized. One does not need to be an economist to see the cost to society, not to mention the cost to the individual, for this lighting design decision.
Thank you for such a cogent article. I've e-mailed it to Tall Husband, who is a scientist concerned about many of the "green" decisions, their lack of scientific basis and their impact on the environment.
Thank you for your comments Annie.
ReplyDeleteIf it is of any consolation... there is a whole new generation of lighting technology that will probably replace fluorescent lighting in the not to far future. It is hard to describe because it functions in a way that is not conventional. Designers love their incandescent lights. And even though fluorescent has come a long way...the color rendition is still way off. And because people such as yourself are sensitive to it, it isn't right to regulate and force it onto everyone.
I would like to point out that the new technology that will eventually become mainstream has been developed by the private sector...not the government.
I am so glad to hear that the private sector is coming out with better lighting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment tonight - so sorry you have trouble loading Cote de Texas. :(
ReplyDeletelove this song - loved that movie!!!!
Joni