> You see, if somebody robs a store, it's a crime and the state is all set and ready to nab the criminal. But if somebody steals from the commons and from the future, it's seen as an entrepreneurial activity and the state cheers and gives them tax concessions rather than arresting them. We badly need an expanded concept of justice and fairness that takes mortgaging the future into account.
- Ursula M. Franklin, The Real World of Technology
This reminded me of the old adage
“Treat the earth well: it was not given to us by our parents, but loaned to us by our children."
In my youth this was thought to be a 'Native American Proverb' - but this origin seems now to be disputed. Anybody know more?
It's an important perspective, because it alludes to the ethical and potentially legal case for environment-friendly lifestyles and policies, as opposed to the now more familiar scientific and economic viewpoints.
It also made me wonder if any work is going on towards a methodology to calculate the net present value of future losses?
It also reminded me of a brilliant cartoon I saw some time ago, which I'd like a copy of if anybody knows it...
A couple on an airplane, one saying to a flight attendant "I can't believe it - this flight cost us almost nothing" - and the flight attendant answering: "Don't worry Madam - your children will be paying."
Baldur Bjarnason
GeofCox