Hacker News Reader

Comment by pdimitar | Hacker News Reader

I, and many others, can definitely do a lot -- but other people have done the math and concluded that we don't amount for anything but a blip in statistics. There is a link in this thread giving the same perspective as well.

I'd like the world to start attacking the source of issues top-to-bottom and not bottom-to-top.

Can the citizens help? Absolutely. Will they amount for much unless corporations start taking action? No.

View on HN

A very effective way to make corporations take action is citizens making them to.

Are you willing to?

Very broad and vague question.

I'm not throwing away my PC, or MacBook, or iPhone, or iPad, or 35" 144Hz display that consumes 200W. I actually need them and they actually help me live a better life.

But sure, I do use less napkins compared to 5 years ago. And I don't have a car (which is insane to have when you live in the center of a city anyway).

You'll have to clarify what do you have in mind with your question though.

Corporations cannot change anything on their own if they operate in capitalistic economy. They are doing exactly what's expected of them to maximize the profit.

If you change your lifestyle significantly, you are not just a blip in statistics. Your actions rub off on other people, your vote supports the right people, and with enough time you help the right mindset to prevail.

Besides, presuming you are not climate change skeptic, what other rational choice do you have?

The only truly effective thing I do is to hold on to tech for as long as it's viable -- to send the message that I'm not okay with planned obsolescence.

But no, I'm not gonna go out of my way to religiously pursue smaller CO2 footprint at all costs. I try to make small differences but anything that severely inconveniences me is a no-no and always will be.

At least I'm not pretending for the sake of feeling good about myself.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com