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The Toxic Modernity Narrative

theargumentmag.com

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Re: The Toxic Modernity Narrative

#2

Post by Ethee »

This article is such a weird take in my opinion and I think it actively proves why our current media environment is harmful. It seems to be making the assertion that people are over reacting about microplastics due to the challenge made in the paper about the way these things were being measured. Note: no where does this paper challenge that microplastics are 'actually' harmful, only that we aren't measuring that properly. To then extrapolate that to "Our stance towards modern technology is toxic" is kind of wild considering we just came out of the lead gas era...

Re: The Toxic Modernity Narrative

#5

Post by JoelMcCracken »

2color wrote: post #4

I am sympathetic to the criticism of the naturalistic fallacy, however there are some aspects of modernity that are unquestionably toxic, like air pollution.

Ditto. The entire issue with microplastics is that at certain scale they might have all sorts of bio-active aspects, like BPA and _other_ chemicals used in plastic.

I wish we did more to honor "Unknown unknowns" and make changes more gradually, especially when the difference is barely consequential. Plastic is essential for many things, but not for shopping bags, drink bottles, etc. We over-use it like crazy, and at this point if we find out that omnipresent plastic pollution causes issues, we better hope we find a solution quickly because we won't be able to get rid of the plastic.

Re: The Toxic Modernity Narrative

#6

Post by xg15 »

Ethee wrote: post #2

This article is such a weird take in my opinion and I think it actively proves why our current media environment is harmful. It seems to be making the assertion that people are over reacting about microplastics due to the challenge made in the paper about the way these things were being measured. Note: no where does this paper challenge that microplastics are 'actually' harmful, only that we aren't measuring that pro…

That site is a political advocacy org for a certain brand of economic liberalism. At least they're pretty open about it:

> The Argument is a mission‑driven media company based in Washington, D.C. We make a positive, combative case for liberalism through sharp, well-argued opinion pieces, original reporting, and multimedia content that confronts the illiberal drift in our politics.

We aim to persuade, not preach; argue, not just diagnose. Our coverage will focus on the politics and economics of growth, technology and society, gender and family.

https://www.theargumentmag.com/about

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