MAVERICK

The air that I breathe

Faced with the question: "What's your number one value?" most people will likely respond with some predictable crap like "love", "friendship", "family" and stuff like that (please note: I'm not a cynic who doesn't believe in those things, I'm a cynic who doesn't believe in all the insincere crap people are used to wrap up their talk with). Some, more honestly (if misguidedly) will simply say "money". Others (always plenty of them) will plead their unquestioning devotion to some sort of heavenly might (God). Well, my own answer is just: "the air that I breathe".

How easy it is to forget that the most important things are actually there for us! We always take them for granted. In fact, without being able to breath good quality air we would be dead in a matter of minutes. Yet look at the general attitudide towards preserving this fundamental asset in our lives: we drive polluting cars, vans, buses and even trucks right where we live and breathe, and seem to be perfectly happy with it. The fact that we are forced to breathe foul air all day, and that this is poisoning us all to death doesn't seem to be a big worry to most. There are clearly other daily priorities that need pursuing, compare to which 'minor' health concerns are just quickly dismissed. Besides, we need to move people and things around: what alternatives do we have?

Well, that's the general myopic attitude: that's not how I see it. First off, I will state again that it all comes down to the generally accepted values and priorities (the real ones, not the ones that fill up polite conversations). Those values and priorities always shape our choices and affect what we decide to do in a very fundamental way. If quality air was a top priority for most our cities would simply look very different to what they are today. Suddenly a lot of this maddening bustling around would then appear for what it is: generally pointless or unnecessary. And for what is necessary we would gladly make an effort to find alternatives or pay a premium when needed, because you can't put a price on the quality of air that you and your children are breathing every day.

But instead what do we have? General moaning about rising petrol prices, and pressure from all quarters to 'ease the burden' on motorists so that they can drive around more numerous and asphyxiating than ever. That shows where the real values are. Disappointing. Short-sighted. Doomed.