Socratic Seminar

To start with, I think it was really interesting today how there are two distinct groups in our class: those who care about the environment, and those who don't. I belong to the latter.

In my head, I'm going to do whatever makes me happy. Environmental care can be very tedious sometimes. I don't ever save the water from my shower. If there weren't waste bins at my house specifically dedicated to recyclables, I would just throw aluminum cans in with the regular garbage. I don't see the pros of organic farming outweighing the added trouble of it. I think people like me present an obstacle for those who wish for a greener, more "sustainable" agricultural system. In my defense and the defense of those who govern their lives by comfort, I'm not necessarily anti-organic or anti-environmentalism. I don't participate in the efforts to conserve our resources not because I hate our ecosystems. I lack participation because it's not always convenient and comfortable.

I believe that this specific idea is what is behind the lack of involvement from the public besides those already invested in the cause. A big problem is that taking care of our environment isn't convenient enough or always comfortable in this day and age. I think that I am part of a generation of instant gratification. If I want to take a shower, the only thing I need to do is turn the water hot or cold. After the shower, the water drains away and I don't need to collect it or find a productive use for it; I don’t really care where it goes because it’s gone. I need taking care of our environment to be easier in order for me to participate in the turn around of the way we currently live. If I cannot find something about the problem that directly affects me, I most likely won't be bothered enough to do anything about it.

I feel it's important to share this because I know I'm not the only person who doesn't care about littering or over watering lawns. I know that if people want to be able to change the way we live, they are going to have to try their best to make the transition as smooth and easy as possible in order to get everyone else on board.