Offensive Voyeurism
By: Gustav Hoiland
Category: bike polo
| Aperture: | f/8 |
|---|---|
| Focal Length: | 98mm |
| ISO: | 1600 |
| Shutter: | 1/0 sec |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
It’s strange to hear an MIT climate scientist talk about the day’s inclement weather before his lecture. But showing some academic wit, he remarked that he wasn’t sure if the unseasonal snowstorm would decrease attendance to his climate talk or in fact increase it.
One thing I hadn’t heard before was how the science of marketing (yes, he said, it involves humans, psychology, the mind, etc, so marketing research is science) has evolved along with the advances of other sciences. And to the great economic benefit of industries and corporations who employ the most cutting edge tactics, replete with targeted demographics and messages optimized for highest-impact emotional appeal, etc. (There was a billboard not long ago with a ragged mug shot of the Unibomber, quoting him as saying “I still believe in climate change. Do you?”)
Plenty of other interesting things to boot, and a blustery walk home. The question of taking the subway vs. 25 minutes of whipping cold sleet on an expansive bridge in clicky dress shoes and an insufficient, though beloved, hat. The walk, of course. For the same reason I take the stairs instead of the escalator.
I still believe in Bike Polo.
p.s. bonus tidbit. The sciencer has consulted with the US Military and loves informing extreme right-wing deniers that the military, yes, Uncle Same himself, takes the issue of climate change incredibly seriously. One scenario being: extreme weather situation -> food shortage -> regional crises -> political instability -> major threat to United States interests, depending on the region -> possible military action.
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