Originally posted by: Rogodin2
zerocool1
"Sustainability is the ability to ensure that humanity meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
What I've posted above is a very simple defition.
Rogo
Wonderful! I love that response. I wish to direct your attention to
maslow's hierarchy of needs
Of course, different diagrams differ slightly; I just grabbed one at random.
First layer of needs - Physical needs: the need for air, water, food, exercise, rest, freedom from diseases and disabilities.
Let's see: water: I can use all the water I want. There will still be water on this planet 50 years from now, and there will still be water on this planet a million years from now. Within 100 years, desalinization plants, etc., will be commonplace. 2/3 of the surface of this planet is water. Food? What the heck are we supposed to do? Recycle toast to save the wheat fields? On the other hand, I've got a big compost pile. BIG compost pile that I'm using to improve the quality of the soil in my garden (plus to expand my garden) Nonetheless, food doesn't need soil to grow. See hydroponics, and see my last point about water. I'm pretty sure that technology can make sure we have enough food for future generations. Exercise: I didn't do any pushups today, I'm saving them for my grandchildren. Diseases? Disabilities? Not usually due to modern practices. Modern practices if anything decrease the prevalence of most disease.
Okay, we're pretty certain the future won't have to worry about physical needs. Next in the pyramid are security needs - the need for safety, shelter, stability. Again, unless we want to argue about politics and world stability, the present generations really aren't doing much to stop the future generations from fullfilling these needs. Of course, there's always the possiblity that they'll have to use metal studs instead of wood studs in the walls of their homes. Cry me a river.
Next on the pyramid is social needs - the need for being loved, belonging, inclusion. Hopefully the future generations can look back at history and see what topics will make them unpopular if they post about them online. They'll also realize that a herd mentality, ganging up on someone who is borderline trolling in his own thread will give them at least a slight sense of belonging and inclusion.
The next level on Maslow's pyramid/hierarchy of needs is Ego. I don't know why frozen waffles are so important, but whatever.
And, the highest level is self actualization - the need for development, creativity. These needs are met through autonomy and achievment. i.e. this is a creative post, therefore it's helping me reach self actualization. Hopefully the next few generations don't think of every possible creative thing to do, although The Simpsons has really done more than their share in this area.
So, you can see, I am doing nothing to prevent future generations from having enough to meet their needs. If you think they need gasoline, then you sound like my 15 year old kid when he's whining that he doesn't have gas for his dirt bike. The real truth is that we all have a lot of things that we DON'T need. But, it's nice to have toys.