oregonnerd: differing views

Changing Responses to the Environment

June 28, 2008 at 12:21 pm Leave a comment

The first note I want to make–again–is that using an absolute, linear system (the order of which is self-contained, rather an important note) to describe a relative, non-linear one is at best risky.  This article is about changing fuel prices impacting the definitions of livability in the suburbs, from heating to paying for transportation to where one’s job is.

There is no social norm, even in the given instant.  To attempt to derive causation from statistics isn’t dangerous, it’s fatal.  I’ll expound on this further, I’m sure, since I occasionally already have, just not here.

The single point I want to make here is this; modern writers of news stories (for a variety of reasons) tend to pursue a single explanation.  That’s about as reasonable as saying that the only reason for what you ate last night is that you’re (for instance) a “single white American”.  Define single, white and American in the first place.  Then start about motivational impact points during the day, from realizations (basically, looking at something from another perspective; this is generally caused by someone else’s observation) to ads to things seen as preserving one’s identity.  It’s really rare that there’s a single cause.

A single point that the writer ignores or misses entirely is the inflation of prices in the suburbs.  Inflation based on desirability is subject to major fluctuations.  Services, then, based on desirability are extremely vulnerable.

–Glenn

Entry filed under: computers/tech, current news, writing and thought. Tags: definitions, environment, responses, rising fuel prices and effects.