The Case Against Travel

[Fru-Gal]

When my job sent me to Europe a few years ago, my smartphone was stolen soon after I landed. The next day I rushed out to buy a new phone, but then I decided against it when I realized that I could pretty much do everything I needed for my job on my laptop and with “the cloud”. The only thing I was missing was an alarm clock, so I downloaded an alarm app to my laptop. When I wasn’t in meetings, I walked and biked all around (and thank goodness the bikes did not require a smartphone; they were kiosks that took a credit card) and “took pictures in my mind”.

[Just Joe]

DW and I (mostly DW) like to play with our cameras. How good can our pictures be? Its a hobby thing and trips provide interesting places to bring out the camera for.

I like to bring along a vintage camera and shoot a roll of film. How well can I make this heavy lump of steel and aluminum do its best thing? A few of my cameras require a separate light meter. 

[Must_ache]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

[former player]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

Is this post the most extreme example of drift from the original thread purpose yet?

[ChpBstrd]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

Is this post the most extreme example of drift from the original thread purpose yet?

It depends on whether you think it's a good idea to adopt a puppy or an older dog. Puppies have all that excited energy, but an older dog is much less likely to chew up your couch.

[GuitarStv]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

Is this post the most extreme example of drift from the original thread purpose yet?

It depends on whether you think it's a good idea to adopt a puppy or an older dog. Puppies have all that excited energy, but an older dog is much less likely to chew up your couch.

You just listed two negatives for puppies.  Are there any benefits?  :P

[stoaX]

In my ideal world we'd have BE jets, and electrified HSR connecting major US cities coast to coast, and great local transit. All powered by renewables. Would love to see touring the US by train became more of a thing. But we're a long way off from most of these.

If the guy commuting in a F350 isn't wrong then what's the basis for CAFE standards? I mean, what if some folks just really enjoy a naturally aspirated V8. I'm starting to wonder if the destruction of our planet lies at the intersection of hedonism and individualism.

I just don't think the human brain is wired to handle issues like climate change or nuclear war on an individual level, with individual sacrifices.

F350 guy drives the F350 becauses he likes it. I fly internationally because I like it. Automakers lobbied to exempt trucks and SUVs from commuter CAFE standards (even though virtually all truck use is for commuting rather than hauling/towing) because it made them more money. Shareholders signed off on it because it meant a better dividend or a more secure retirement.

The crazy part is that everyone in the above chain can nominally believe in climate change and want to stop it.

Well said.

What is a "BE" jet?  Google didn't return any useful results. 

[daverobev]

In my ideal world we'd have BE jets, and electrified HSR connecting major US cities coast to coast, and great local transit. All powered by renewables. Would love to see touring the US by train became more of a thing. But we're a long way off from most of these.

If the guy commuting in a F350 isn't wrong then what's the basis for CAFE standards? I mean, what if some folks just really enjoy a naturally aspirated V8. I'm starting to wonder if the destruction of our planet lies at the intersection of hedonism and individualism.

I just don't think the human brain is wired to handle issues like climate change or nuclear war on an individual level, with individual sacrifices.

F350 guy drives the F350 becauses he likes it. I fly internationally because I like it. Automakers lobbied to exempt trucks and SUVs from commuter CAFE standards (even though virtually all truck use is for commuting rather than hauling/towing) because it made them more money. Shareholders signed off on it because it meant a better dividend or a more secure retirement.

The crazy part is that everyone in the above chain can nominally believe in climate change and want to stop it.

Well said.

What is a "BE" jet?  Google didn't return any useful results.

Battery Electric, most likely.

[Just Joe]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

Is this post the most extreme example of drift from the original thread purpose yet?

It depends on whether you think it's a good idea to adopt a puppy or an older dog. Puppies have all that excited energy, but an older dog is much less likely to chew up your couch.

You just listed two negatives for puppies.  Are there any benefits?  :P

Puppy kisses and their excited greetings when you return home... Fetch can be much more fun with a young dog than an old dog. Wouldn't give up our old dog for anything though.

[Taran Wanderer]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

Is this post the most extreme example of drift from the original thread purpose yet?

It depends on whether you think it's a good idea to adopt a puppy or an older dog. Puppies have all that excited energy, but an older dog is much less likely to chew up your couch.

I don't know.  I kinda like cats.

[GuitarStv]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

Is this post the most extreme example of drift from the original thread purpose yet?

It depends on whether you think it's a good idea to adopt a puppy or an older dog. Puppies have all that excited energy, but an older dog is much less likely to chew up your couch.

I don't know.  I kinda like cats.

That's OK.  Nobody's perfect.

[RetiredAt63]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

Is this post the most extreme example of drift from the original thread purpose yet?

It depends on whether you think it's a good idea to adopt a puppy or an older dog. Puppies have all that excited energy, but an older dog is much less likely to chew up your couch.

I don't know.  I kinda like cats.

That's OK.  Nobody's perfect.

Those of us with cats definitely know that, cats encourage humility.  After, all they are so much more perfect than we their humble servitors are.

Dogs are more subtle - they let us think we are training them when they are training us.

[jinga nation]

I hope to go to Europe once every year.  It will be London/Scotland for 9 days in April/May.  I've been to London and my friend has never been to the UK.

Is this post the most extreme example of drift from the original thread purpose yet?

It depends on whether you think it's a good idea to adopt a puppy or an older dog. Puppies have all that excited energy, but an older dog is much less likely to chew up your couch.

I don't know.  I kinda like cats.

That's OK.  Nobody's perfect.

Those of us with cats definitely know that, cats encourage humility.  After, all they are so much more perfect than we their humble servitors are.

Dogs are more subtle - they let us think we are training them when they are training us.

Nah. Tortoises. They're the best. Give them your salad scraps. They just chill in the backyard, don't walk too far off, and are great listeners when you just need an ear for venting and ranting. They don't judge drinking either. Great partners. 5/7 times.