I am never a good debater, however, I sometimes fall prey in
front of people who want to passionately debate and prove their views. I had that unfortunate incident yesterday.
This friend of mine was sitting in front of a minute clinic in
CVS pharmacy. I saw him reading Time magazine. I went there to buy a diet coke.
As a courtesy, I asked him "what made you come here and what are you reading
so attentively".
The next 15 minutes, he started lecturing me how paid media
and environmentalists are spreading rumors about climate change, it is a myth,
it is helping vested interests to make money and all. He said, “Tell me, Suresh,
what difference it makes if the temperature goes up 1C. Tell me, Suresh, do you
mind if millions get a job instead”. He got agitated and caught my hand. I
somehow hid my diet coke and nodded my head affirmatively agreeing to what is
saying.
To change the topic, I asked what made you come to this
clinic. He turned his attention explaining how horrible he is feeling.
"You know Suresh, I am having 100F temperature and this stupid system is
keeping me waiting for the last 30 minutes". I responded “sorry for my
ignorance, 100F seems too high”. I was not sure whether water boils at 100F or
100C. “What is the normal body temperature”.
He said, “Suresh, our body is a
wonderful machine. It works perfectly at 98.6F. However, if the body
temperature goes up or down even 1C (2F) the entire system collapses. Look at
me, my body is a wreck now”.
I should have stopped now. However, I innocently asked
“Help me understand. If our body cannot adjust 1C change, how can this massive
globe adjust to that change”.
He stared at me for a minute and murmured “Another stupid
environmentalist”.
-- Suresh Jayaprasad
10/9/2016
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