> He spent a sabbatical conducting field work on Trinidad and Tobago and in Suriname.
What a great example for why we need the Oxford Comma.
Where have all the insects gone?
71–80 of 299 posts
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#72https://www.firefly.org/
i remember an article about how fireflies are dying out
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#73> He spent a sabbatical conducting field work on Trinidad and Tobago and in Suriname. What a great example for why we need the Oxford Comma.
But Trinidad and Tobago is just one place.
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
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Historically, the capitalist countries have been much less-polluted ('cleaner') and more environmentally friendly in general than the communist countries. With respect to 'socialist' countries, the correlations depend on exactly how you define socialism, and which countries you include/exclude.
Totally and completely false. The UK in 1930 was much more polluted than the USSR and China at that time. Making that argument today is possible if you ignore moving practically all manufacturing to a country that happens to be communist. There would be far less pollution in China if they weren't making all of our stuff. It's actually a good example of how unchecked capitalism is always looking for new ways to externalize costs, regardless of the consequences for whoever is left holding the bag.
Also, any country that builds infrastructure with taxes and regulates industry is socialist, including the US. The difference is usually that "capitalist" countries have safety net for corporations and the wealthy, while "socialist" countries have safety nets for everyone.
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
Could that be explained by improved aerodynamics of cars now compared to then? Has that been studied?
It's not like we were all driving in Chevrolet Bel Airs in the 90s and now switched to Lamborghinis.
It is an variable that very obviously needs to be controlled and is worth mentioning.
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
If only the government had nationalised industry, these bugs would be alive?
I mean, probably? If we had elected good officials at least. I'm not defending socialism at all, but if you accept the fact that this kind of thing happens because there's no monetary incentive for the industry to avoid it, then the logical conclusion is that under a system not motivated by profit this would be less likely to happen. But what I'm sure you are aware of this line of thinking. What is the argument again…
> What is the argument against it?
I've discussed this with libertarians and the best argument I've heard is that the incentive to manage negative externalities comes from private ownership. If the factory down the road is polluting the river that runs by your house, you sue them.
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#77[flagged]
If only the government had nationalised industry, these bugs would be alive?
How about the middle ground, where the capitalists try to be good citizens and patriotically do not attempt to poison us all for profit, while building escape bunkers in New Zealand, once we are all f---ed back home.
Ok, big ask, I know. How about this - they stop gutting the government to a point where any sort of reasonable regulation and oversight is essentially absent. Let's be honest for once about what "small government" stands for.
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#78[deleted]
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
If only the government had nationalised industry, these bugs would be alive?
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That's too bad. "Corporations are people", my friend, but they can also pump unlimited amounts of money into politics, creating their own laws. Let's not just call out "the government". They are the government. And, no, it's not tinfoil stuff, we know what's going on.
Re: Where have all the insects gone?
#80Anecdotally, while driving along Minnesota's segment of I94 in the '90s, one would have to stop and scrape the bugs off the front window and grill. Today, this is no longer a problem.
Could that be explained by improved aerodynamics of cars now compared to then? Has that been studied?
We’re seeing a comparable decline in birds that depend on them for food, so probably not.
That said, it’s fun to imagine that we just selected against insects that hang out by the highway.