I've been wondering why these posts stir up so much anger. They seem to inevitably turn into the 'us and them' scenario, the for and against.
It's uncomfortable, of course, to have your conscience pricked, to experience self doubt, to feel the need to defend yourself.
I'm reminded of the vegan posts - where I fully expect to be viciously attacked and branded 'virtuous' simply because I choose not to consume animal products.
In fact, it's because I feel repulsed by the prospect of eating flesh, I care deeply about the planet and my health. What others think of me is not important - but I like to think well of myself.
That uncomfortable feeling is cognitive dissonance - it's when there's a conflict between your true beliefs/principles and your actions.
We love our grandchildren (of course we do, I'm sure, even if they drive us mad). We don't want to leave them on a polluted, dying planet with wildfires, warming seas, mass extinctions, starvation, disease and (inevitably) war. We'd like to do so much better.
Still, there's that little voice inside 'Go ahead, do it, buy it, enjoy it, you won't be here much longer!' We're all guilty, just to a greater or lesser extent. We're all in the 'luxury bracket' worldwide, we can feed and house ourselves - even take holidays.
I enjoy exploring and sightseeing, hillwalking, hiking, cycling and backpacking, so yes, I'm guilty of using transport sometimes. I'm not pinned to one spot.
On a lighter note, it's lost on some. Just the once, I went on a typical beach, all inclusive package holiday (not my thing) wanting to treat a relative. What did she do? She sat in the shade (with her book) by the pool, refused outings or unfamiliar food - came to the beach a few times - and complained about homesickness and the lack of shops. Quietly hopping mad (it was very expensive, 2 adults, my 4 kids) it occurred to me that I could have just bought her a pass to the local swimming pool!
