The Airplane is Not Normal

The discussion in my brain first started with Geez of course, but it goes something like this:

Me: "Wow, we really are dependent on fossil fuels, it's going to be a death trap for our society."

Other me: "I'd really like to travel to France next summer."

Reader: "Wha?"

The more I think about the more I realize that it's true, we are going to have to get used to the fact that we will not be able to take long haul flights for granted. Geez: "The airplane is not normal. So re-adjust your sense of normal. You'll be in good company." And by that they mean 80% of the world, which will never fly - not once in their entire lives. And it seems it's not only Geez talking about it.

Now people will say: "Oh, but tourist travel is only 5% of the world's carbon emissions." I don't care if it's 1% folks, its the luxury of luxuries to fly for pleasure, that's the point. It seems so very wasteful. So it's time to de-motorize your soul.

And I mean de-motorize it.

Now people will say: "Oh, why don't we just take boats instead?"

Guess what? Boats are just as inefficient for transporting people as airplanes. At least right now they are. Until someone comes up with some new hydroplaning trans-atlantic superboat, I guess we're just stuck vacationing within driving or biking distance.