I
heard an NPR news report today that the Guinness World Record for the largest
number of Christmas lights is now held by an Australian family, with 500,000 lights. Apparently, they beat out an American family
who topped out at 350,000.
I’m
glad the Americans lost the title, though, I’m sure, they will come back to try
to top the Australians. I dread the thought of how many lights it will take to set the record next year.
Has
anybody thought about the huge waste of energy this is? Isn't it bad enough that we pollute the air to make electicity for necessary consumption? I’d
like to pluck these half-wits out of their mindless cocoons and shake them
silly.
Sure,
I know that this energy abuse is just a miniscule fraction of the overall
consumption and waste, but, the symbolism of this spectacle is so disturbing.
It drives me crazy that these people are rewarded for their excesses and that
a multinational corporation promotes this useless macho competition.
And
while I’m raving, I am wondering what any of this has to do with Christmas. Or is that a stupid question?
______
I wrote this for the
Week 105 Trifecta Writing Challenge where we are to write a 33-333 composition
using the word “pluck” in this context: “to
move, remove, or separate forcibly or abruptly.”
Your comments are appreciated.
Did not know about this record.
ReplyDeleteThanks God it is for Christmas lights and not Diwali lights.
Thanks Yarnspinner. To me, it's about excess and waste.
DeleteYou are so right, lumdog. This one-upmanship has little to do with Christmas. The whole thing is pretty disgusting. Nice use of the prompt word.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ivy. Yeah, it's disutrbing.
DeleteIs the multi-national that promotes it in the energy business? I'm with you. Not only is the energy wasted, but the one-upmanship is so misguided. If only we would channel this 'energy' into lighting up people's lives by paying the utilities bill for those in need. Nice post, lumdog.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steph. I really think a lot of people have lost perspective, not to mention, the huge waste.
Deletelum, I miss simple. Christmas, like so much else in the world, has gotten too complicated. I got a catalog a few weeks ago-and on the front it said "Last minute gifts!" I don't think it was even November yet. I'm wishing for a Christmas with less showmanship and more quiet reflection.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful holiday, my friend:)
Thank you Valerie. Yes, the fact that Christmas lighting is now an international competition is disturbing. But worse, is that no one seems to call out these people or Guinness for promoting it.
DeleteValerie, thanks for the holiday wishes. I hope you have a great one too! :)
Deleteless showmanship and more quiet reflection - indeed! I agree, Valerie! And I agree with you, Lumdog about the excessive waste this amounts to. Ugh!
DeleteThanks Flippa. I like the lights too. I had a large house and we put out about 100 lights. I'm no rabid conservationist, I just think this stuff is insane.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Valerie. Always have been that way...the quiet reflection Type and I am having a big problem with waste as i get ilder. That said, I absolutely love Christmas lights but that's just too excessive. Very appropriate!!!
ReplyDeleteI think that minimal is best, and I was just complaining to my husband about the waste of all those Christmas lights. As far as I'm concerned the money would be better spent feeding a hungry family or buying them warm coats.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbors are trying to get the record back, I believe.
ReplyDeletePluck them
It's not a stupid question at all. I only use lights on my tree, and even that I only keep on for about two hours on my days off from work (since I work mostly second shift). I think the people who go all out for this kind of stuff can do better by donating the money they spend on electric to charities!
ReplyDeleteI know it's a big, fat waste, but I can't resist a good Clark Griswold style house at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMaterialistic world believing in showing off -sad!Great to see you back lumdog-missed your informative posts:-)
ReplyDeleteMy in-laws live in Arkansas. Not too far from them lived a man with one of those ridiculous light displays. He had to have a private transformer installed to take on the added electricity use, hired private security to handle the increased neighborhood traffic, it was a terrible intrusion for those families who lived next door. It was completely over the top.
ReplyDelete