Co-worker Hypocrisy

molgrips · 08-29-2006, 06:20 AM

I'm posting this in the Main forum because I am interested in as big a sweep of opinion as possible, rather than just the tree-huggers on the environment forum

So a friend of mine likes to vociferously complain about the bad people of the world. Being a fellow Brit, he complains about pretty much everything. On a recent trip to Florida with his family he came back apparently disgusted with the overconsumption of petrol by the American public, driving everywhere in gigantic SUVs. They had two cars at the time, a frugal diesel Vauxhall Safira and a very old Renault Clio, also reasonable. So fair enough, I couldn't fault him too much although he did drive to work instead of taking a train.

A few months after listening to him rant about the disgusting greed of the SUV drivers he has gone and bought a BMW 328. Not the worst gas guzzler around, but certainly quite poor by UK standards, getting about 30mpg. The thing is, he could very easily have bought a diesel BMW with just as much power, or he could have got one with a smaller engine. The 2.8 litre V6 offers him no advantage over a more economical car, he just likes to zoom around.

He claims that as long as half of America is driving around in 15mpg SUVs, it doesn't make any difference what he drives.

Discuss.

Soylent · 08-29-2006, 08:09 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 29 2006, 06:20 AM) [snapback]311028[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Discuss.
[/b]

No.

**efusco** · 08-29-2006, 08:46 AM

While you might want this in the main forum, it is certainly not appropriate there and you don't even mention the Prius. I'll move it to Fred's and you can 'discuss' there if you wish...

Mystery Squid · 08-29-2006, 08:49 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 29 2006, 06:20 AM) [snapback]311028[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

He claims that as long as half of America is driving around in 15mpg SUVs, it doesn't make any difference what he drives.

Discuss.
[/b]

Hell, I agree...

molgrips · 08-29-2006, 09:15 AM

Pah, I thought this was a 'discussion' forum... good snub efusco

I'll think twice about posting new topics next time. Actually, hardly anyone replies to my topics anyway

rob_md · 08-29-2006, 09:38 AM

I'd disagree with him... 100%. That's the mindset that's gotten us where we are now -- blindly doing wrong because everyone does, so why can't I? The same mindset leads people to dump hazardous waste in a creek -- because someone else somewhere is doing it, so why can't I?

I've taken on the mindset of "If we can do better, we should".. and that goes for using less gas/oil to push a car around, less coal to create the same light -- even if the technology to use less energy costs a little more.

It's just the right thing to do ... because I can.

Oxo · 08-29-2006, 10:13 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 29 2006, 05:20 AM) [snapback]311028[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

He claims that as long as half of America is driving around in 15mpg SUVs, it doesn't make any difference what he drives.

Discuss.
[/b]

"Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness" comes to mind but I think there must be much better quotations to support Molgrips.

I'm also reminded of the maverick in Croydon who was in the news during the recent drought because he took a pride in showing his scorn of water restrictions by watering his garden copiously with a hose, which is against the local law. He failed to see that most people saw his attitude as idiotic.

geologyrox · 08-29-2006, 10:36 AM

Tell him he's got a point - 'those' gas guzzling American asshats are using twice the gas he is. Don't forget to remind him that there are more than half a million of us driving hybrids, and millions more driving small cars with great mileage. It's his choice to make - he can act like one of those American asshat if he wants to. Don't harp on the subject, just make it plain and simple that he made the choice to be part of the problem.

PS - really, if you want to complain about anything, especially non-Prius related, Fred's is the place to do it. We love to fight things like this out - efusco brought it here so you'd get real discussion instead of "are you sure this belongs here?" posts.

hyo silver · 08-29-2006, 10:41 AM

Why follow a bad example when you could follow a good one?

Why lower yourself to the lowest common demoninator?

Everything makes a difference. All those little differences add up.

Wildkow · 08-29-2006, 11:38 AM

Sounds like a bit of materialism overriding sound judgment to me. Happens to us all from time to time, he'll probably enjoy the new ride for a few months and then start to question his decision.

Wildkow

p.s. Asshat? I like it!

p.s.s. Whatever the case your friend can always blame it on Bush. <_<

08-29-2006, 09:38 AM	#6
rob_md Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 34 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I'd disagree with him... 100%. That's the mindset that's gotten us where we are now -- blindly doing wrong because everyone does, so why can't I? The same mindset leads people to dump hazardous waste in a creek -- because someone else somewhere is doing it, so why can't I? I've taken on the mindset of "If we can do better, we should".. and that goes for using less gas/oil to push a car around, less coal to create the same light -- even if the technology to use less energy costs a little more. It's just the right thing to do ... because I can. __________________ 2006 Prius #7, Silver Pine Mica. Added: DICE iPod Integration, Lockpick 3, 12-volt always on socket, XM Radio

08-29-2006, 10:36 AM	#8
geologyrox Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 513 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Tell him he's got a point - 'those' gas guzzling American asshats are using twice the gas he is. Don't forget to remind him that there are more than half a million of us driving hybrids, and millions more driving small cars with great mileage. It's his choice to make - he can act like one of those American asshat if he wants to. Don't harp on the subject, just make it plain and simple that he made the choice to be part of the problem. PS - really, if you want to complain about anything, especially non-Prius related, Fred's is the place to do it. We love to fight things like this out - efusco brought it here so you'd get real discussion instead of "are you sure this belongs here?" posts. __________________ "If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas." - George Bernard Shaw

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08-29-2006, 06:20 AM	#1
molgrips Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 197 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I'm posting this in the Main forum because I am interested in as big a sweep of opinion as possible, rather than just the tree-huggers on the environment forum So a friend of mine likes to vociferously complain about the bad people of the world. Being a fellow Brit, he complains about pretty much everything. On a recent trip to Florida with his family he came back apparently disgusted with the overconsumption of petrol by the American public, driving everywhere in gigantic SUVs. They had two cars at the time, a frugal diesel Vauxhall Safira and a very old Renault Clio, also reasonable. So fair enough, I couldn't fault him too much although he did drive to work instead of taking a train. A few months after listening to him rant about the disgusting greed of the SUV drivers he has gone and bought a BMW 328. Not the worst gas guzzler around, but certainly quite poor by UK standards, getting about 30mpg. The thing is, he could very easily have bought a diesel BMW with just as much power, or he could have got one with a smaller engine. The 2.8 litre V6 offers him no advantage over a more economical car, he just likes to zoom around. He claims that as long as half of America is driving around in 15mpg SUVs, it doesn't make any difference what he drives. Discuss.

08-29-2006, 08:46 AM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,228 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	While you might want this in the main forum, it is certainly not appropriate there and you don't even mention the Prius. I'll move it to Fred's and you can 'discuss' there if you wish...

08-29-2006, 09:15 AM	#5
molgrips Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 197 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Pah, I thought this was a 'discussion' forum... good snub efusco I'll think twice about posting new topics next time. Actually, hardly anyone replies to my topics anyway

08-29-2006, 10:41 AM	#9
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 10,724 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 47 Thanked 152 Times in 107 Posts Friends: 63	Why follow a bad example when you could follow a good one? Why lower yourself to the lowest common demoninator? Everything makes a difference. All those little differences add up.

08-29-2006, 11:38 AM	#10
Wildkow Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5,274 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 84 Thanked 36 Times in 33 Posts Friends: 11	Sounds like a bit of materialism overriding sound judgment to me. Happens to us all from time to time, he'll probably enjoy the new ride for a few months and then start to question his decision. Wildkow p.s. Asshat? I like it! p.s.s. Whatever the case your friend can always blame it on Bush. <_<