The Global Warming Bargument
- Rob Perks
- Director, Center for Advocacy Campaigns, Washington, D.C.
- Blog | About
- Posted April 2, 2008 in Solving Global Warming
I’m a firm believer in Ben Franklin’s maxim: “Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” And I enjoy a lively debate as much as anyone. So what do you get when you mix beer and arguments? Bar brawls maybe, but I'm talking about a brilliant cocktail known as a “bargument.”
This cheeky buzzword – defined by the Urban Dictionary as “a debate on any subject which takes place in a bar and is primarily caused by just the right amount of booze” – is the subject of a clever new book, appropriately titled Barguments. Who wouldn’t enjoy downing a couple-three micro-brews and pondering such age-old questions as:
“Who wins a fight between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and five angry Grizzly Bears?” (T-Rex)
“Could John and Ponch arrest the Duke boys?” (Nope)
“Best ‘brothers’ band of all-time?” (Allman)
Why not apply this entertaining concept to the energy debate? Sure, it’s a serious issue that requires thoughtful analysis and thorough study. But, heck, talking about work stuff might just give us the excuse we need to knock off early for Happy Hour.
So, there is your challenge: Start a bargument over global warming.
Cheers!
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Comments
TheGreenMiles — Apr 2 2008 10:01 PM
Whew. That's a tough one. Global warming's hard enough to talk about when you're sober. How about organic beer? Or a fun mind-blower is asking people whether the bar will recycle their beer bottle. For some reason even greenies have this assumption that even though you hardly ever see a recycling bin behind the bar, somehow their bottle will magically get recycled.
JG3000 — Apr 2 2008 10:54 PM
What's the least carbon-intensive beer container - keg, bottle or can?
Also, who wins in a fight between a great white shark and a crocodile in an environment that favors neither animal?
Angry African — Apr 3 2008 10:31 AM
A bargument. But my problem is that Global Warming just isn't cool enough. No badge or hip gadget I can wear. Makes it difficult to know what I should do. A Prius? Not cool. Not like the FJ Cruiser. Windfarms? Cool but I can't carry it around like an iPod to show off. Those pesky CO2's are just so tiny - smaller than the diamond my wife will accept and bigger than I can afford? http://angryafrican.net/2008/04/03/global-warming-is-just-not-cool/
Rob Perks — Apr 3 2008 04:02 PM
Way to go, John, for getting in the spirit. I'll bite. I say KEGS are better for the environment because they serve several people. That eliminates lots of empty cans and bottles.
While glass mugs are preferred, usually cups are necessary for kegs, which is not ideal. I assume there's no bargument about whether strofoam is worse for the planet than plastic cups.
TheGreenMiles — Apr 4 2008 01:00 PM
AngryAfrican, conspicuous consumption and climate activism generally don't mix, but I've worn this tshirt out several times and it's definitely been a great conversation starter.