While I do appreciate and deplore the fact that the American power cuts
caused many serious problems, I'm right behind the people who want to reduce
light pollution. This is largely because I don't like the damage light
pollution causes to our wildlife and environment, as well as its effects on
people.
Mmmm...:) It *was* very nice, 48yrs back in Warsaw, to walk down a tree-lined (lindens, and the smell is *glorious*; the month of July, is named after the linden trees in Polish) street, sometimes catching the lamplighter at his job of bringing the old gaslights alive...
At 5 and 6, I walked those streets clutching my Dad's hand. At 16 and 17, I walked those same streets clutching my boyfriend's waist (and learnt that the policemen had more sympathy for dads than they had for boyfriends <g>). At 6 and at 16 I was instructed to look at the stars and I did. And I liked the sight.
But, like Carly Simon, "I've looked at lights from both sides now"... As a result, I can no longer be on either side :)
It's easy to deplore, but what substitute would you offer? In my 11th grade Polish class we dismayed our teacher by coming to a -- uniform -- conclusion (based on, and supported by, multiple literary examples) that it's easy to destroy, but a heck of a lot of work to *build* (all philosophies, including the communist one, are strong on the first, but legless on the second <g>)
So, OK; we agree to get rid of the pesky lights which obstruct our daily view of the stars. In trade, we give up: the electricity. With all it entails -- light to read by late at night; radio; TV and peripherals (video); coooking (for many people); travel (except "per pedes"); Arachne (and all puter-related activities)... Just to begin with :)
I dislike being *depedent* on technology ("trust is good, but control is better" as Loehr used to say) but what's the alternative? When it comes to the brass tacks... How many of you would prefer to watch the stars -- evening after evening -- rather than to read about the itch cure on lace-chat?
Summertime, and the bitchin's easy... How many of you would be willing to move into 1803, lock, stock, and barrel? Not me :)
----- Tamara P Duvall mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Lexington, Virginia, USA Formerly of Warsaw, Poland
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