I could have gone on about the huge energy costs of designing buildings to be continuously heated and cooled by air conditioners. However I thought the underlying psychology of why people feel they NEED to fortressed from the elements is more fundamental.
These thoughts from a whipper-snapper in Brisbane, Australia, by the way.
you are indeed a whipper snapper and rabble rouser.
fantastic writing and art
the best is to see the mythic air conditioners atop the doorless casinos of las vegas, machines the size of mt olympus, blasting cold air at the desert at noon
I write from India. Here, in most urban areas, the temperatures vary between 29 to 45 degrees Celsius.
The air-conditioners, however, are set somewhere near 18 degrees. Which, as a tropical being I tell you, is freezing. Now after spending several hours in these unnatural climes, we step out into the heat.
Our lungs and bodies are taking an obscene blow.
As someone who despises the smell, the texture, the silence, the snobbery, the impacts and the concept of air conditioning, I am enraged that I have no choice – most constructions and buildings have windows that aren’t designed to be opened.
As I type, I’m eying a chair I’m tempted to fling through my office window.
so when you made this, you were outside? when you posted it, you were outside. granted you could have posted it via a wireless connection. a wireless connection developed in a temperature controlled room.
Henry Miller wrote a book called The Air-Conditioned Nightmare. I don’t remember much about the book, but I often think about its wonderfully memorable title.
Love the cartoons. This one particularly. I love the rain when I’m walking in Scotland. I know it can make things uncomfortable for us. But I always remember that it would not be such a beautiful place if all we had was sun.
Another wonder of rainy days is descending from the clouds after hours without views. That first glimpse of the other side of the glen, the subtle colours and the sense that somehow the landscape works. That is a feeling that I wouldn’t miss for a lifetime of dry nights indoors.
I hope you are able to put more of these up…
The Amyloidosis Foundation estimates that approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with amyloidosis each year in North America and that blood cancers overall have increased more than 40% in the last decade.
Nice strip, but I’m pretty sure old people would rather feel alive too… and a lot of them die during the summer. A/c is essential, an accessory to climate, not a climate-killer.
This is a great piece. I particularly support the bottom-most section. I find thoughts of wonder and appreciation for the beauty of nature when I expose myself to what our planet has to offer – such as the weather, the sights and sounds of life on earth, the hues of sunrise and sunset, the moon, and the subtle accompaniment of the distant stars.
My cute blonde Polish born wife (hi K!) insists on no a/c however hot and humid it gets in NYC, ie 100 degrees and 100% at times. Amazing how one adapts! Hot hot summer nights and cold winter snow blanketed afternoons – the contrast itself is a boon.
Well done Stuart.
Comments (16)
I could have gone on about the huge energy costs of designing buildings to be continuously heated and cooled by air conditioners. However I thought the underlying psychology of why people feel they NEED to fortressed from the elements is more fundamental.
These thoughts from a whipper-snapper in Brisbane, Australia, by the way.
you are indeed a whipper snapper and rabble rouser.
fantastic writing and art
the best is to see the mythic air conditioners atop the doorless casinos of las vegas, machines the size of mt olympus, blasting cold air at the desert at noon
Thanks Stuart. Perhaps we should post a link to Gabriel’s article in the Courier Mail.
So glad you have the huevos to speak out!
I write from India. Here, in most urban areas, the temperatures vary between 29 to 45 degrees Celsius.
The air-conditioners, however, are set somewhere near 18 degrees. Which, as a tropical being I tell you, is freezing. Now after spending several hours in these unnatural climes, we step out into the heat.
Our lungs and bodies are taking an obscene blow.
As someone who despises the smell, the texture, the silence, the snobbery, the impacts and the concept of air conditioning, I am enraged that I have no choice – most constructions and buildings have windows that aren’t designed to be opened.
As I type, I’m eying a chair I’m tempted to fling through my office window.
Hey, nice work. Good to know there are people all over the world who share the same ideas and feelings than me. Hugs from Brasil, and keep posting man
so when you made this, you were outside? when you posted it, you were outside. granted you could have posted it via a wireless connection. a wireless connection developed in a temperature controlled room.
Stuart
that really strikes a chord with me. Terrific work.
Mike and I enjoyed catching up at TEDx. See you around
Henry Miller wrote a book called The Air-Conditioned Nightmare. I don’t remember much about the book, but I often think about its wonderfully memorable title.
Love the cartoons. This one particularly. I love the rain when I’m walking in Scotland. I know it can make things uncomfortable for us. But I always remember that it would not be such a beautiful place if all we had was sun.
Another wonder of rainy days is descending from the clouds after hours without views. That first glimpse of the other side of the glen, the subtle colours and the sense that somehow the landscape works. That is a feeling that I wouldn’t miss for a lifetime of dry nights indoors.
I hope you are able to put more of these up…
The Amyloidosis Foundation estimates that approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with amyloidosis each year in North America and that blood cancers overall have increased more than 40% in the last decade.
Stuart McMillen, if you have ever visited Philadelphia during the heat of a summer day, you probably would never have written/drawn this piece…
Nice strip, but I’m pretty sure old people would rather feel alive too… and a lot of them die during the summer. A/c is essential, an accessory to climate, not a climate-killer.
This is a great piece. I particularly support the bottom-most section. I find thoughts of wonder and appreciation for the beauty of nature when I expose myself to what our planet has to offer – such as the weather, the sights and sounds of life on earth, the hues of sunrise and sunset, the moon, and the subtle accompaniment of the distant stars.
You don’t live in the southern United States, do you? Yes, we need to be out in the natural elements more. Moderation in all things.
My cute blonde Polish born wife (hi K!) insists on no a/c however hot and humid it gets in NYC, ie 100 degrees and 100% at times. Amazing how one adapts! Hot hot summer nights and cold winter snow blanketed afternoons – the contrast itself is a boon.
Well done Stuart.