Psycopathic Gunman killed by police, "Children are Parasites"

[Salanewt]

What do you think about this creep, or at least how would you have felt about this person before his death happened hours (I think hours) ago?

In my opinion, it is quite obvious that this person suffered from some sort of mental disorder. They truly believed that it was because of children, or more specifically babies, that the planet was destroying everything natural. They held a handful of people at the Discovery Corporation's headquarters as hostages, and wanted their demands met. While it is probably safe to assume that this person has skipped out on recommended medications over the past few years, these events have touched upon one seldom thought "factor" to harming the environment: overpopulation.

While I agree that overpopulation is not a good thing, I also believe that it is our infant population that will be able to make a difference in the environment. Thousands of people worldwide currently work towards protecting the environment, and unlike what this person believed, it is up to the future populations of the world to live up to that expectation and fulfill our nature-friendly legacies of today. This person's intentions may have been good, but what they were trying to achieve would not help reverse the decades of damage that we have done to the Earth, just slow down how much it increases. Even to this day, there are still problems in Vietnam where Agent Orange was once sprayed, where Atomic Bombs were used in Japan, and in Alberta with the Oilsands (just as a few examples, but there are also a few oil spills which will take decades to clean up, like the Gulf). It would take centuries, even milleniums to reverse much of what we have done (without humans to help reverse it). Of course, future generations will not be able to enjoy some of the things which we can enjoy today, so this may make them more environmentally conscious and stop relying on pollutants for power.

Besides, in developed countries, birth rates are going down quite a bit. Killing people is wrong (as is removing life itself from plants, animals, fungi, etc.), and we are the only ones that can ultimately save the Earth. This person had good intentions (for why they were doing it), but none of their actions today were correct, either morally or legally. They were also incorrect about how humans can influence the Earth, making irrational assumptions based on past experiences.

Now, how do you feel about this topic? That is the question that I leave to you.

Have a nice day.

[Atrius (He/They)]

There are organizations that support population reduction.

[Rolina]

If you want to help the environment, this is NOT how you do it.  The claim that no publicity is bad publicity is a very, VERY wrong in terms of the Court of Public Opinion.  If you strap a bomb to yourself, attack a building and take people hostage, and advocate human sterilization and extinction, people are going to associate that "crazy person" with the environmental movement.

Now, those of us with a bit of intelligence know better - the trust isn't that the environmental movement is a bunch of crazies, but it's been hijacked by crazies and politicians.  Cazies go and do things like this, and the politicians distort and pervert the moment so as to push the policies they personally want.  People start to associate the moment itself as being like this.

Anyone who believes in capitalism will tell you to your face - it takes innovation, not legislation.  It takes a entrepreneur, not an eco-terrorist.  Technology is evolving, and if we don't pass legislation that'll harm that evolution, it'll evolve in a way that will inevitably be green.  Why?  Because it's good business - they're constantly trying to find a way to get things to run faster, smoother, and longer.  A perpetual race to make better stuff.  This cannot be done with the fuels we have now - these fuels have their limits.  As such, finding new ways to fuel things is a natural progression.  Look at the Volt.  Unwieldy?  Way too expensive?  HELL YES.  Look at the first Ipod, though - it was way too expensive for what you got as well. 

Now, imagine the government is Apple.  Their product is still obscenely expensive, and there's a lot of stupid restrictions on it.  Now look a the TONS of other MP3 players and media players that exist since the Ipod came out.  Sure, the Volt may still appear 'trendy', but I'll take the Zune to GM's Ipod any day - and it's only a matter of time before Ford comes out with it.

Is it perfect?  Of course not!  You charge it with power that comes from COAL POWER PLANTS.  However, look at the world's population.  Those same parasitic babies are creating a HUUUUGE demand for energy - one that coal power, and heck, possibly even nuclear power cannot keep up with.  What is the solution?  Some say wind - I point out that wind is horribly inefficient.  Some say solar reflectors - I point out that those cost more than they bring in.  Some say solar power - I point out that UT just found a way to make photovoltaic panels at least 60% more efficient at creating energy.

I believe solar is the future, BUT only if done right.  Don't make solar power plants - we have to evolve past central power as the primary source.  Central is great as a backup source of power, but we already have the ability to seamlessly integrate solar panels into a home right now - I say start building them on new houses.  Don't pass a law requiring all houses to get it, but seriously looking into marking solar for new houses.  Keeps costs low, and there's a way to not anger "big energy" when you do it...

Keep the energy companies involved.  Why?  They have tons of money.  That is, exactly the reason people stand against them.  If you oppose them and try to offer a 'better product', they'll use that money to crush you.  If you work with them to help them 'evolve past fossil fuels', then they stay marketable, and you become employee of the year.  The biggest problem for green energy is making it affordable - and if the guys with all the money spend it on R&D for cheaper ways to make green energy, it's only a matter of time before we get it.

The solution?  It's not hard.  It's a really simple fix.  Just as market forces evolved from the horse and buggy to the car, we'll evolve past that.  However, these things take time.  You cannot legislate the immediate evolution of technology, just like you can't have a person from the 1600s create a sports car for you.  If your a legit environmentalist, you need to realize you're in the same boat as Islam right now - your movement has been hijacked by people who are bringing disaster in the name of your movement.  You need to take it back, fight against those who'd do it ill, and show people that what you stand for is NOT what those people say it is - those people are INSANE, and do not represent you in any way shape or form.

Come on, people, it's not that hard.