I'm proud to say I've never owned a car in my life, but I know almost everyone around me sees that as an indication of low status. Unfortunately, living a life of low consumption is a sacrifice because this society still sees many forms of consumption as a status symbol, and how people perceive you can limit your opportunities. I think improving urban infrastructure to encourage lives without car dependency will go a long way in reducing consumption. It can motivate people to buy less and hopefully erode cars as a status symbol.

Thank you, Dr. Johnson. Let's pursue happiness.

Spot on. IMO those that can must. We're fortunate. 72yr old house with many issues. As we replaced expired equipment we upgraded. Heat pump water heater and 120v heat pump dryer. Inverter fridge. Used EVs. Electric lawn equipment and tools. All over 8 yr timespan. Heavy work over last 2yrs as old systems were inadequate and failing. Roof siding poor insulation substandard wiring and box. Final lift was replacing gas furnace wirh heat pump. Gas line was removed. We kive by Lake Erie and heat pump passed rhe test. We could so we did... We encourage our well off friends to do the same. Little success so far.. try try again

Superb interview. It's so refreshing to hear a pragmatic no nonsense comments of Dr. Johnson without the nonsensical platitudes and touchy feely indulgences that is so prevalent in our society today. 👏

People will not stop using coal or oil or gas if that means either it will make their lives harder or if they feel their efforts will not help. It is too easy to fall back on "why should I do something when so many others will not?"

Two 4 year old great granddaughters. They made little bead bracelets for me. Wear them everywhere and when someone asks about i tell them a story. If they live to my age it will be 2095. Will the biosphere be livable? Also press friends with grandchildren that the only way our grandchildren can have a decent life on our only home is if your grandchildren have a decent life.

is this posted twice?

David, you were so turned on when the interviewee began interrogating you. It was creepy. Then the interviewee, a scientist, author and non-parent, scolded you for caring first about your own children. You lapped it up. Go listen how Terry Gross shut down an interview with Frank Zappa. That’s how to deal with open contempt. Instead, stunningly, you brought up this “own goal” in the second part of the interview. Why? Is your interviewee your therapist? Your confessor? She ended up absolving you of your guilt and privilege by saying, while you may be a schmuck, at least you chose to do one redeeming thing: you interviewed HER. If Terry Gross can grow a pair, you can find where you put yours.