🚀 go-pugleaf

In <22MAR94.21274026@rhea.arc.ab.ca> thacker@rhea.arc.ab.ca writes:

>In a previous article, mfriedma@us.oracle.com (Michael Friedman) wrote:
>>Hello, all.
>> 
>>Mr. Carpenter, here, is living proof that you don't need a brain to be
>>in college.  See below... 
>> 
>>In article <1994Mar8.024715.17760@seas.smu.edu> bcarpent@sun.cis.smu.edu (Bryan Carpenter) writes:
>>>Hello
>> 
>>>I'd like to pose a question.  Some scientists have identified a problem
>>>regarding the way in which humans use light.  They contend that energy is
>>>wasted by improper shielding.  
>> 
>>Uhm, hello?  Hey, McFly!!!!  Are you really this dense?  
>>You know, I've often suspected that you need to be a little ignorant
>>of physics, chemistry, biology, and economics to be a real
>>environmentalist, but Mr. Carpenter is truly phenomenal.
>>Still, it's always a life-affirming experience to see one's prejudices
>>so perfectly confirmed.

>Huh?  I don't see your problem with this statement?  Just that it's
>obvious, or do you disagree with it?  Seemed like the post was a 
>reasonable request for information to me, you certainly took a harsh 
>view of it.

>Don

Sounds like a case of ignorance, which is excusable, compounded by
prejudice, which is not. Light pollution is a big problem for
astronomers, and anyone who would like to see the night sky in all its
natural beauty. So what? Fortunately there is also a bottom line
argument. Street lighting is supposed to illuminate the ground (
sounds obvious ). By fitting a reflector to the lamp, directing the
light downwards, the same ground illumination can be achieved with
less power, saving money and improving the night sky for everyone. In
some parts of the world, astronomers have been able to lobby local
administrations to do just this. Everyone wins. Other parts of world
cannot be bothered to save a few pounds ( or dollars ) on the
electricity bill. Its sad...

If I missed the joke, then it must be on me I suppose.
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