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is that they will say, no, that is a simply and straightforward lie, economic theory says that what people value, whether it be beauty and tranquility or jet skis, is what is valuable, and if more value the beauty and tranquility more, it is a failure of ownership that results in those damn jet skis.

I know a lot of people who would torpedo a jet ski if there were not laws against doing so.  but the law protects the "right" of the jet ski owner (the person who burns more fossil fuels) to privatise the entire ambience of the lake or estuary by occupying it with noise, just as the law protects the "right" of the automobile owner (the person who burns more fossil fuels) to privatise the "public" street by occupying more of it than a pedestrian or cyclist (and with lethal force).

in an atmosphere of lawlessness or community sanction, the lone jet skier might not long survive the wrath of the 200 people whose day he is ruining and whose environment he is polluting (and whose health, in some small increment, he is damaging).  but "law and order" protects privatisation and enclosure, not commensality and the commons.

The difference between theory and practise in practise ...

by DeAnander (de_at_daclarke_dot_org) on Wed Nov 7th, 2007 at 03:24:18 PM EST
I have seriously considered stringing up a piece of rope at jetskier-chest-level.  Just enough to knock them the fuck off, so maybe they'll knock it the fuck off.  I hate those things.

Grrrr.

</angry kayaker>

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Wed Nov 7th, 2007 at 03:29:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]
standard joke among sailors when a jet ski is spotted in the middle distance... "where's my torpedo" or "damn, shoulda bought a bow chaser".

[for non-nautical-nuts, the bow chaser was a traditional small cannon mounted on the bow and used in medium range engagements, see also stern chaser;  lighter ammunition than the main gundeck cannons, long throw]

The difference between theory and practise in practise ...

by DeAnander (de_at_daclarke_dot_org) on Wed Nov 7th, 2007 at 03:37:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The Dyfi estury is very long and flat so it isn't unusual for a jetskier to run their car and trailer out onto the sands find the sea goes out a mile and then half an hour later find their dead car in water up to the hubcaps.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Wed Nov 7th, 2007 at 03:41:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]
one small dose of karma...

The difference between theory and practise in practise ...
by DeAnander (de_at_daclarke_dot_org) on Wed Nov 7th, 2007 at 04:05:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
actually kind of metaphorical and evocative too, no?

vivid metaphor for industrial civ.  drove way out onto the sands in gas guzzler to pursue frivolous wasteful puerile thrills, now the car's up to the hubcaps in salt water and the tide's got a long way to come in yet.

The difference between theory and practise in practise ...

by DeAnander (de_at_daclarke_dot_org) on Wed Nov 7th, 2007 at 04:06:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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