Why Must We Hide Trash?

                Why do we choose to make such a visible problem as trash invisible?  Trash stinks.  Trash is ugly.  No one enjoys looking at mounds of garbage out of their kitchen window.  Many species are drawn to the smell and/or texture of garbage.  They view it as a source of food.  Most people, however, do not feel this way.  Anything that disturbs their view of suburbia is an unwanted eyesore.  I am not saying that I revel in the thought of seeing piles of trash everywhere I look, far from it.  What I am saying is it seems as though the human race as a whole will go to great lengths simply to avoid seeing a landfill, even when they know it is there.  “Out of sight, out of mind.”  This seems to be the common theme in regards to undesirable happenings in our culture.  In short, I believe the issue of garbage is made an “invisible” one simply because too many people would complain to their city, county, or state governments if they could see the public landfill that they were contributing to every week out their living room window while they’re watching TV and eating chips from a bag that will be in that landfill in less than a week.

                For every rule however, there is an exception.  Some people do seek out dumpsters and trash cans for anything ranging from food to lawn chairs.  Be it out of necessity or simply in an attempt to stretch a paycheck as far as one can, it seems a fairly common practice in some places. 

                What is it that makes our species so hands-off?  After we haul the garbage to the curb as far as we are concerned it no longer exists.  Thinking like this, however, is the sort of thing that leads to a landfill outside of New York city that can be seen from space.  But the good news is it cannot be seen from the city!  So glad the people generating the trash don’t have to look at it!  What happened to people composting their biodegradable trash?  Recycling things such as cans, bottles, and newspapers?  It seems these things are all but nonexistent of late, and I cannot help but wonder how large (or small) a difference it would have made over the last couple of decades if only a few thousand more people were more resourceful about using or re-using things that they regarded as useless trash. 

                As the article in “The Believer” states, “It’s an avoidance of addressing mortality, ephemerality, the deeper cost of the way we live. We generate as much trash as we do in part because we move at a speed that requires it. I don’t have time to take care of the stuff that surrounds me every day that is disposable, like coffee cups and diapers and tea bags and things that if I slowed down and paid attention to and shepherded, husbanded, nurtured, would last a lot longer. I wouldn’t have to replace them as often as I do. But who has time for that? We keep it cognitively and physically on the edges as much as we possibly can, and when we look at it head-on, it betrays the illusion that everything is clean and fine and humming along without any kind of hidden cost. And that’s just not true.”

                From this I derive that the point that Robin Nagle is trying to make is simple this: We generate more trash than we think.  It doesn’t bother us because we do not look for it.  When we do see it, it takes away our feeling that everything is clean and healthy, and that can be cause for self re-evaluation, something that very few human beings are fond of.  It brings to mind the old adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  If you can’t see the trash, it won’t bother you.

How does Hydrogen act as a fuel?

    I have a problem.  I hate fossil fuels.  Fossil fuels are something I view as a major source of not only pollution, but also of a wide-stretching corruption that plagues our planet.  It is a topic I have spent much time thinking about, and it seems there MUST be a better way.  One way that I find particularly interesting is the idea of Hydrogen being used as a fuel.  After all, the only byproducts created by burning Hydrogen gas are Oxygen and Water Vapor, with a chance of some Nitrogen compounds.  What could be more eco-friendly?  Naturally this is a subject of varying opinions and ideas.  Some say Hydrogen can not be used as a fuel because it requires vast amounts of energy to generate the Hydrogen in the first place.  Others say it is much more viable than others kinds of fuel.  What do I say?  I say it's time to do my own research on the subject!

The Cows Have It! (In my opinion)

   Almond, Rice, or Dairy?  I'm talking about milk, of course.  Some people say one is healthier than another... personally I have always loved good, old fashioned, Whole milk.  All dairy, all the fat.  In recent years, however, I have started trying different types of milk, from Skim to Almond.  I must say I enjoy the taste of nearly all of them, though Skim to me is reminiscent of water that has been colored white.  What is to gain from drinking the watery Skim instead of my thick and creamy Whole milk?  According to the "Wise Geek," Whole milk has approximately 16 times the fat content of Skim (nonfat) milk, yet only a mere 64 calories difference in an 8 oz. glass.  While this is a far cry from "almost the same," I ask you:  Is it worth sacrificing that delicious taste for less saturated fat?  Many will answer this question with a resounding "YES!!!"  I understand, perhaps you want only what is "healthy,"  or perhaps you prefer the diluted taste.  Whatever the case, it is your decision.
    So how does Dairy milk stack up against Rice or Almond milk?  According to this site, Soy or Hemp milk would be relatively "on par" with 2% Dairy milk as far as fat content, caloric value, and protein per serving, while Rice and Almond milk fall short in all of these categories.  Lower fat, fewer calories, with less protein and fewer other vitamins than the other types of milk mentioned.  It seems from a health standpoint, that if you drink milk with 2% milkfat or less, you're getting the same nutritional value as you would were you drinking Soy or Hemp milk.  Unless I'm forgetting something... Ah yes!  Most of the fats from cows milk are saturated fats!  These fats are said to be less beneficial than the unsaturated fats you find in other types of milk. 
    There are many variables to consider in this all-so-important decision in which milk to drink.  Personally, I enjoy the taste of Almond milk nearly as much as that of my Whole dairy milk, but I will stick to whatever tickles my fancy at the time.  Time to get a glass of fat... er, I mean milk!

1st Entry

     So here I am, being the "over-achiever."  More than 24 hours to go before this post is "due," and I'm writing it up anyway.  For those who may not have guessed from the title of this blog, my name is, in fact, Sean.  I am writing this for my WRIT 101 course (and have no qualms about it, for the record).  A bit about me... following high school I joined the Navy.  "See the world" they said.  HA!  I saw plenty of blue, and plenty of brown.  After 6 years, I separated from the service and moved back to Missoula.  Since then I have been trying to figure out just who I was when I left, and who I am now.  I do know this though: I love the outdoors.  Nothing in this world makes me happier than being miles away from "civilization," be it by myself or with a group of friends.  A trip to the hot springs, or disappearing for a several-day hike... it's no matter, it's all wonderful.  I am also a big fan of dogs, my sled team will tell you the same as they grow fat and happy in their "golden years."  I don't much enjoy talking about myself directed to a computer screen, so that may be all you get for now in the "me" category.

     Unless, of course, you consider me discussing my like or dislike of reading!  Sneaky, sneaky, eh?  I must confess I've always been a bit of a book-loving geek.  When I was young, my parents had to tell me to put the book down and go outside to play in the summertime.  I never really had a specific genre I stuck to.  I do remember one book that I truly enjoyed reading, and cannot explain WHY I enjoyed reading it so much.  That book was Shogun, by James Clavell.  I would re-read that book in a heartbeat; and I cannot tell you why.  There really was nothing incredibly special about the story, the descriptiveness in the writing, or even the characters.  I simply loved reading it.  One thing I have learned through the books I've read is this:  Even a "bad" book has its good points.  Perhaps you would never read it a second time, but it's never ALL bad.