Jsut trying to make a point. By environment, maybe I equate people to trash and therefore we are littering everywhere. Or maybe I meant heavy metals in the oceans. Who knows? The point is that I think the average American is too busy looking the other way to consider the implications of his actions in a broad sense.

Well he put the more alarming bits in bold, and the most alarming in red, and multiple exclamation points - hmmm.

Let me see if I can use the same design principles...

Don't listen to that guy, he's full of shit!!

Don't EVER take health information from people who are selling products!! THAT GOES TRIPLE FOR DIET AND FOOD-RELATED PRODUCTS!! 99% of them are CRAP!!

Sometimes when people use scientific sounding terms they are actually scamming you!!

Yeah, ok, thanks...

      On the subject of exploring space, I'd like to inject the following. Ahem, I really really wanna! Dammit all, the idea of going to places no one has ever been... Surivivning on your own effort, no MickeyD's in sight in case things don't work out... aw christ yeah. I mean come on, do you people have no respect for the pionnering spirit? This time it'd be even better as we're pretty sure there are no martians we'd have to uproot onto reservations. To be working for the future of your children and their children in the sense of carving out a place in the world in actuall land terms ... Wow. That's the shit. Um... I guess I've still got that "childlike sense of wonder" Juju mentioned.
      Plus, when they do get to the point of colonizing other planets, poor people will get to go first. Have to, so the rich people will know it's safe. I would so be there...
      Ah well, not in this lifetime. Probably die in the attempt anyway.

What are you trying to say? That we live comfortable lives?
Yes
That we shouldn't go out 'looking' for problems?
I describing not proscribing
That our lives are not 'hollow and miserable'?
Hard to define
That it's all relative?
Of course
All of the above?
I don't think we lead very secure lives.
Does anyone here have a job that is secure and enough money saved up to NOT worry about losing that job?
Thats not safe and secure.
depends on definition. It's not a perfect world. While you're awake worrying do you listen for boot steps?
I know I have a tough time sleeping when I end up thinking about what will happen if when March comes around I can't make my schedule so that I can work and go to college. Worse yet...what if I they won't let me work part time?
This would be the end of the world?
Oh sure it's a safer life than that in Russia.
And most other places
But I don't think people watching TV at night while eating nachos is a sign of confort. I think it's escapism.
You might be right. My feeling is that people can't practice escapism unless they feel secure. I'm not suggesting or condoning, avoiding the worlds problems. Just making observations on what I think is causing the rise in demand for entertainment, at any price.