Louis Katz on sat 29 jan 05
Earl said, and I can hear myself saying that:
.....................
I have seen some say "use 3" brick" and others say "the more
insulation the better".
I look at the insulation question as a total cost of
ownership issue. .................
I just got done rereading "Small is Beautiful" by E.F. Schumacker.
Other than assuming that all English speakers are Christian he makes
very good points. So long as we only look at dollar costs and not other
costs we will drive our planet into ruin. I agree that that there has
to be a balance in electric kilns between cost and energy consumption,
but I think the balance is better for the planet and more fruitful in
general if it is made in terms that include irreplaceable resource
balance and human satisfaction, joy and enrichment.
The cost of energy does not include the cost to the planet of the
pollution or the fact that this resource is being used up. Nor does the
cost of firebrick really represent its total cost including pollution
from its making or environmental cost (benefit?) of the empty clay pit
it leaves.
Cost of ownership does not include the satisfaction of owning something
special, a tool that will last a long time, or some other non-economic
quality. This is really the issue that keeps me involved in pots. I can
buy a perfectly functional yet ugly cup at one of the sh--Marts.
Styrofoam is amazing stuff. Keeps my coffee warm.
As I society I think we have to watch that we don't equate "cost(s)"
with value(s). Already we think they are the same, and we refuse to
look at non dollar costs.
Now just to get off my soapbox, I too often make decisions based on
"total cost of
ownership", but I think it is often a character flaw of mine.
Louis
Other books that have had a lasting influence on my thoughts and
probably have some impact on my views on this subject include:
Deschooling Society, Ivan Illich
Limits to Growth by ??
Moral Animal
Homo Aestheticus
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (BTW The DeWeeses in this
book are Josh DeWeese's parents)
Works of Kurt Vonnegut
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