Of Air Conditioners and Wars
Every year my husband and I toy with the idea of not using our air window conditioner units. After all, we live close to the lake and therefore have lovely cool breezes when the rest of the city is melting. And we’re environmentalists–those things use up resources like no body’s business! After all, electricity in our part of the world comes from coal that gets shipped in from hundreds of miles away. And that coal pollutes the air as it burns, thus increasing the air temperature, making us want our A/Cs even more. Couldn’t we give up a mere convenience for the betterment of the world? And don’t humans living in the rest of the world survive just fine without A/C? Just as our ancestors did before us for generation upon generation? Surely we can adapt ourselves–change our behavior and expectations and do without this “mere luxury”. Surely….
But then–July hits Chicago. Like a sledgehammer. With no mercy. The temperature and humidity rise, and along with them tempers. Gang killings go up, domestic violence increases, and people just get plain surly and crabby–they won’t even say hello to you at the store! And you know what happens then? Into our windows pop our portable A/C units, tout-de-suite, and out of those same windows fly our ideals, just as quickly! As that blessed cool dry air washes over us we reflect; surely the A/C could save the world from madness and violence. It could be the ultimate tool of world peace! Think about it–where are the wars happening? In really hot places where people don’t have A/C. No wonder they’re cranky and easily infuriated–they’re too damn hot! Maybe if they had A/C they would be happier and they wouldn’t fight… Maybe???
So, when it comes to A/C and July in Chicago–I admit it, I am a hypocrite. I want that piece of technology and I want to use it and to heck with all my idealistic dreams. Now–just ask me how I feel about it in the fall when my idealism returns….
