If we *all* drop out, or "unplug" as it were, then yes, it would surely work. Dick Cheney wouldn't be much of a problem on his own. The invasion of Iraq would have been a very quick and unsuccessful affair if Dick Cheney had invaded single-handedly.
I imagine the Iraqi people (there would be no Iraqi army if everyone was "unplugged" remember) would have dispatched the threat relatively quietly. Even if Dick could have found a friend to go with him, the friend would probably have soon become a casualty of friendly fire.
One old codger who can't shoot straight is not the problem, the problem has always been the idiots who follow his (or his ilk's) orders.
So if we were to "unplug" the air-conditioners etc collectively, the global warming threat would be lessened. Even if there were a few recalcitrants. Like I'm assuming the Dwayne Munroe household would be a bit surly about the whole affair. I'm sure we'd just need to act tolerantly for awhile, perhaps *ostentatiously* tolerant, until you sheepishly fell into line.
But no, it wouldn't be much use if the Munroe Household went it alone and unplugged. It would need to be a collective act. Not necessarily government sponsored is all.
No idea whether that was implicit in this book you are talking about. Possible you may have missed that part in your fury at the idea of swapping the sports car for a solar-powered rotary-hoe. Can't altogether blame you, it doesn't seem like a fair trade, does it.
Bill Bartlett Bracknell Tas
At 4:41 PM -0400 29/10/08, Dwayne Monroe wrote:
>Which suggests, astoundingly, that it's possible to solve the world's
>problems by not participating in the world at all. If we all
>'unplug', perhaps our collective problems will softly exit the room,
>leaving us free to enjoy our children, chickens and candlelit fiddle
>concerts.
>
>The problem is that while we retreat into gentle domesticity the Dick
>Cheneys of the world (and to me, Cheney is as much an eternal
>personality type as a singular person) continue to push their agenda
>forward. And even in a world of gardeners, hierarchies and power
>elites will exist and command troops ready to carry out their orders.
>
>The fantasy of unplugging is that if you leave the world alone it'll
>return the favor. But capitalism tirelessly expands into every niche
>and systems of power abhor everything beyond their control.
>
>
>These facts are smoothed over or conveniently forgotten by the people
>who dream of unplugging. It seems to me that as this illusion gains
>strength (a product of the overwhelming problems we face) a hard
>headed left alternative is needed -- something which fully
>acknowledges the ecological crisis while correctly identifying its
>source.