Dismissive ignorance

[thedr9wningman]

The enquiry into dismissive ignorance
I was on a webinar conference last week and I was struck by one of the speakers. I don't exactly work for a progressive company: we're run by three, older, white Republicans and a liberal Indian man, but even the white guys were turned off. Why? Because of dismissive ignorance

Comments

power consumption etc

[postalwhore]

Very smart post. One of the things I learned about reducing my carbon footprint and doing my part to reduce global warming was to unplug all appliances not being used. Even in off mode they use power. Doesn't work for timed devices and computers tho' with constant online updates.
The other issue on energy pricing is that my natural gas bill is NEVER less than a minimum amount no matter how little I use. Normally I shut off the gas on the stove between uses so that the pilot lights just don't burn fuel needlessly as I seldom use the stove. But even if I use ZERO gas in a month, I still have to pay a minimum fee regardless. There is contracting for FUTURE supplies by utilities at a given rate and everyone must pay for that even if they use nothing. This is similar to the flat rate you mention. So reduced consumption is NOT rewarded because it is not profitable. I have NO incentive to not waste.(except for the smell of unlit pilot lights). Utility bills will NEVER go down because of futures contracting and interest rates.

Re: power consumption etc

[thedr9wningman]

Yeah, the appliance thing is called 'phantom load' in the industry. TVs, microwaves, anything that receives a remote signal, any wall warts (including cellphone chargers and laptop transformers) and even some floorlamps(!) contribute to phantom load. There was a study done about IKEA (usually not a bastion of evil by any means in the sustainability community) that was talking about how much energy a floorlamp used when it was off. It was like half of what it used when it was on, all because they wanted to save a couple of cents on a transformer inside the lamp