Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
Perhaps if you read what I actually wrote rather than fabricate strawman arguments, and read what the OP actually wrote you wouldn't ask such a question. For your edification, again, the OP wrote, "On one hand you want to convey a good message, but you don't want to seem presumptuous and greener-than-thou."
I and several other posters noted that some of the suggested slogans would be just what the OP claimed he didn't want. IOW the exact opposite of conveying a positive message to a broader society and instead make the sloganeer's message ineffective as well as appear to be presumptuous and greener-than-thou.
Thank you for clarifying and reiterating my original intent of this thread! I know its a bit hopeless to expect to stay on focus, as there will always be SOME political back and forth, but its also important not to Thread Jack.
It strikes me as a bit sad that being proud of riding a bike, and urging (gracefully) others to do so, is somehow "political," or "radical", or even presumptuous. What is far more presumptuous (and reflective of our often delusional affluent environmentalism) is to suggest that everyone should drive a Prius or electric car. While I support both, they are very expensive, and not a "golden bullet."
On the contrary, urging people to ride their bikes costs less, helps our health care costs (especially now that costs are more conspicuously socialized-- if we're all in this together, its in our best interest to urge our neighbors to be good health), and is very effective at combating greenhouse gases.
So while I don't expect the political side of this debate to somehow go away, and having a lively conversation is always welcome, if we could steer this towards a more constructive vision of how to help convince others, effective slogans, and places to acquire these messages, that would be great!
