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Are you for or against air conditioning?
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It's hot. All across the country. Probably will be this weekend too.
Earlier this week we talked with Daniel Engber, a writer for Slate, who defended the use of air conditioning. The vast majority of Americans have air conditioning. And a lot of you kind of love it, as you posted on our Facebook page. But there are some A/C haters too. Take a listen.
I specifically chose a one-bedroom apartment on the second of a three-floor building in order to increase the insulation of my dwelling. I run air conditioning (and heat) as needed, but no matter what time of year, it's not constant, and I can maintain a temperature that is comfortable for me, which I need in order to rest properly. I wish more homes were insulated and shaded enough to use heating and cooling efficiently. When I lived in a high mountain desert, I didn't need to use the air conditioner but a few days a year because my house was well-sealed and shaded, so even on the 90+ degree days, it stayed cool enough, and cooled down every night. But where I am now, the humidity traps the heat, and even at night it's insufferable most of the summer.
It is so annoying when people claim they can't live without air conditioning. What do you think your grandparents did? Humans are no different physiologically today from how they were 100 years ago. There are situations where air conditioning is really necessary -- for example, keeping patients in a hospital comfortable. But for everyday use, it's ridiculous.
As an life-long asthmatic, I'm grateful for air conditioning. I try to use it sparingly though, mostly for cost and I prefer a natural breeze whenever possible.
To the point of your story though, whether we love it or hate it, we must at least consider the consequences.
