Optimist...Pessimist...Engineer

We had a lecture last nite, Robin Chase the founder of zip car was here. I couldn’t believe when she opened up with the quote in response to the age old question: Is the glass half empty or half full?

“don’t see this cup as half full or half empty but as a question of how much water do you need.”

I have always said, the glass is exactly twice as big as it needs to be…I’ve always truly believed that and so I was immediately drawn to her. As she continued on she focused on the quickest solution to any high impact problem is most likely human behavior. Product solutions that will help stop the impact on the earth or reduce carbon emissions are years away from being truly feasible as solutions. The only step we can start taking today is to all be conscious of the fact that WE as humans need to make the change.

The questioned boiled in my mind, "How do you change the American Dream?" She responded with a smile that in the world where cash is queen you just prove the non-economic aspect of it and its the only way to truly make a lasting effect.

This was in general, inspiring. I had been trying to relay my feeling on commuting, poorly designed neighborhoods and public transit and its affect on the sociological and entire living experience of humans by preventing interaction and growth through communication. The poorly informed business school student told me that the real fix would be to make electric cars. He didn't even understand the social implications that the design that American's thrive for (big houses with giant yards & cars) and the limiting affect it has on how we live. Did he know that in suburban neighborhoods most people don't know who their neighbors are?

Is it really a good idea for a father to spend 6 hours on a Saturday mowing his lawn when he could be teaching his kids how to ride a bike or volunteering at the community garden? This lawn, a mass of green that has no positive effect on the environment, is given more time on a weekly basis than to his own children.

Cheers to the future...