<story><title>Costa Rica has gone 76 days using 100% renewable electricity</title><url>http://www.vox.com/2016/9/8/12847160/costa-rica-renewable-electricity</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>dec0dedab0de</author><text>&lt;i&gt;I sometimes think they reject the idea that the whole point of existence is human flourishing and happiness.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;p&gt;Yes, many people reject this idea.  As a matter of fact, this is the first time I&amp;#x27;ve ever heard anyone express this idea.</text></item><item><author>jfaucett</author><text>Notice this is because 80% of the energy obtained was from Hydroelectric power, which is a great energy source because it is reliable - unlike wind and solar which in this case provided 7% and 0.01% respectively and are not reliable. It frustrates me that so many environmentalists are still against hydro because it alters ecosystems when nature itself is inherently violent, dangerous and in a constant state of flux. I sometimes think they reject the idea that the whole point of existence is human flourishing and happiness. The biggest real problem with Hydro in the context of human flourishing is ensuring that the dams are well-constructed and nature proof i.e. hold up against natural disasters because if they don&amp;#x27;t downstream settlements and human lives can be at risk.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>astrodust</author><text>You have spent way too much time on Hacker News. Gross Domestic Happiness was coined in 1972 and the idea exists way beyond that. &lt;a href=&quot;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&amp;#x2F;wiki&amp;#x2F;Gross_National_Happiness&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&amp;#x2F;wiki&amp;#x2F;Gross_National_Happiness&lt;/a&gt;&lt;p&gt;For example, the US Constitution proudly proclaims that &amp;quot;Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness&amp;quot; are unalienable rights. &lt;a href=&quot;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&amp;#x2F;wiki&amp;#x2F;Life,_Liberty_and_the_pursuit_of_Happiness&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&amp;#x2F;wiki&amp;#x2F;Life,_Liberty_and_the_pursuit_...&lt;/a&gt;</text></comment>
<story><title>Costa Rica has gone 76 days using 100% renewable electricity</title><url>http://www.vox.com/2016/9/8/12847160/costa-rica-renewable-electricity</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>dec0dedab0de</author><text>&lt;i&gt;I sometimes think they reject the idea that the whole point of existence is human flourishing and happiness.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;p&gt;Yes, many people reject this idea.  As a matter of fact, this is the first time I&amp;#x27;ve ever heard anyone express this idea.</text></item><item><author>jfaucett</author><text>Notice this is because 80% of the energy obtained was from Hydroelectric power, which is a great energy source because it is reliable - unlike wind and solar which in this case provided 7% and 0.01% respectively and are not reliable. It frustrates me that so many environmentalists are still against hydro because it alters ecosystems when nature itself is inherently violent, dangerous and in a constant state of flux. I sometimes think they reject the idea that the whole point of existence is human flourishing and happiness. The biggest real problem with Hydro in the context of human flourishing is ensuring that the dams are well-constructed and nature proof i.e. hold up against natural disasters because if they don&amp;#x27;t downstream settlements and human lives can be at risk.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>hguant</author><text>It&amp;#x27;s actually a &lt;i&gt;really&lt;/i&gt; old idea. Sadly, not one that gets a lot of press, as it&amp;#x27;s not very sexy to talk about dead Greeks (except to reject them).&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;orwell1627.wordpress.com&amp;#x2F;2013&amp;#x2F;06&amp;#x2F;30&amp;#x2F;aristotles-purpose-of-life&amp;#x2F;&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;orwell1627.wordpress.com&amp;#x2F;2013&amp;#x2F;06&amp;#x2F;30&amp;#x2F;aristotles-purpo...&lt;/a&gt;</text></comment>