This photo, which appeared on the front of the Business Day section of the New York Times last week, features the executives from the financial institutions that received bailout money testifying before the House Financial Services Committee.So, what is wrong with this picture?(There are so many options. But as I have a strong opinion as to what is it is, I’m eager to hear other people’s thoughts before I weigh in.)UPDATE (at 6:07pm site time):All good thoughts. As noted, there’s no end to what is wrong with the moment captured in this photograph (by Doug Mills/The New York Times). However, all the white, gray-haired men with blank faces and blank notebooks not being tarred-and feathered aside, Will’s first comment hits closest to what really irks me: the plastic bottles lining the table.Maybe this seems small in comparison to the financial crisis emanating from these men, yet it’s also so much easier and clearer to fix-and by some measures not that much smaller of a problem either.Plastic bottled water is a colossal waste of resources in so many ways. The trash created when we dispose of these bottles lasts nearly forever (7 to 450 years to biodegrade according to Wikipedia) and literally tons of it (specifically 2.5 million bottles an hour) end up in our oceans. Now we have a giant island (the size of Texas) of floating plastic garbage taking over our oceans. When I saw this video about the Pacific Garbage Patch last year, it really stressed me out.Now, I’m fairly opposed to consuming needless plastic.So, when I see a stationary gathering (I can at least concede the merits of plastic bottles for their portability) not too far from where I’m certain there is a cafeteria that likely has glassware and pitchers and running water, I get frustrated. Admittedly, I confront this situation and the mild sense of frustration it leaves in me quite regularly. However, when I see all of this, combined with these men who have become the living embodiment of short-sightedness and reckless irresponsibility in another profound way, the similarities become a bit overwhelming. When it’s blasted out across a front page section in the New York Times, it’s even disheartening.I may have no idea what to suggest we do about the economy, but for this, it’s easier: Next time you’re thirsty, fill up a glass of tap water. If you’re at a meeting or conference, get a pitcher, maybe even with some ice, to share around the table. When you’re on the go, carry a Sigg or other sturdy waterbottle. That would go a long way to taking care of our plastic (water) bottle problem.
Tags
advertisement
More for You
-
Man’s dog suddenly becomes protective of his wife, Internet clocks the reason right away
The online community came through in a big way.
Reddit user Girlfriendhatesmefor’s three-year-old pitbull, Otis, had recently become overprotective of his wife. So he asked the online community if they knew what might be wrong with the dog.
“A week or two ago, my wife got some sort of stomach bug,” the Reddit user wrote under the subreddit /r/dogs. “She was really nauseous and ill for about a week. Otis is very in tune with her emotions (we once got in a fight and she was upset, I swear he was staring daggers at me lol) and during this time didn’t even want to leave her to go on walks. We thought it was adorable!”
His wife soon felt better, butthe dog’s behavior didn’t change.
Otis knew before they did. Canva Girlfriendhatesmefor began to fear that Otis’ behavior may be an early sign of an aggression issue or an indication that the dog was hurt or sick.
So he threw a question out to fellow Reddit users: “Has anyone else’s dog suddenly developed attachment/aggression issues? Any and all advice appreciated, even if it’s that we’re being paranoid!”
The most popular response to his thread was by ZZBC.
Any chance your wife is pregnant?
ZZBC | Reddit
The potential news hit Girlfriendhatesmefor like a ton of bricks. A few days later, Girlfriendhatesmefor posted an update and ZZBC was right!
“The wifey is pregnant!” the father-to-be wrote. “Otis is still being overprotective but it all makes sense now! Thanks for all the advice and kind words! Sorry for the delayed reply, I didn’t check back until just now!”
Redditors responded with similar experiences.
Anecdotal I know but I swear my dog knew I was pregnant before I was. He was super clingy (more than normal) and was always resting his head on my belly.
realityisworse | Reddit
So why do dogs get overprotective when someone is pregnant?
Jeff Werber, PhD, president and chief veterinarian of the Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles, told Health.com that “dogs can also smell the hormonal changes going on in a woman’s body at that time.” He added the dog may “not understand that this new scent of your skin and breath is caused by a developing baby, but they will know that something is different with you—which might cause them to be more curious or attentive.”
The big lesson here is to listen to your pets and to ask questions when their behavior abruptly changes. They may be trying to tell you something, and the news may be life-changing.
This article originally appeared last year.
-
14 images of badass women who destroyed stereotypes and inspired future generations
These trailblazers redefined what a woman could be.
Throughout history, women have stood up and fought to break down barriers imposed on them from stereotypes and societal expectations. The trailblazers in these photos made history and redefined what a woman could be. In doing so, they paved the way for future generations to stand up and continue to fight for equality.
-
Why mass shootings spawn conspiracy theories
Mass shootings and conspiracy theories have a long history.
While conspiracy theories are not limited to any topic, there is one type of event that seems particularly likely to spark them: mass shootings, typically defined as attacks in which a shooter kills at least four other people.
When one person kills many others in a single incident, particularly when it seems random, people naturally seek out answers for why the tragedy happened. After all, if a mass shooting is random, anyone can be a target.
Pointing to some nefarious plan by a powerful group – such as the government – can be more comforting than the idea that the attack was the result of a disturbed or mentally ill individual who obtained a firearm legally.
advertisement
