An inconvenience of big houses is that low population density does not allow for conveniences. No subways, local grocery stores.

But then, peole like Al Goracle, are willing to sacrifice conveniences to awoid the inconvenient people. An acceptable way to discriminate.

Build what you need, not what you think you need or what you're idea is of what others think you need. Talk to people who's profession is to understand and deal with these issues every day and be confident that you don't need a 4-day garage, separate dining, living, great room, etc. etc. in your house. Your kids don't need an entertainment suite and separate bathroom for each child.

Humans are the most adaptable species on the planet. Too bad we're also the most spoiled. Time to take a hard look at how we're living.

Wake up and stop wasting resources to keep up with the Jones'. The Jones' are idiots. Smart people understand not to waste money.

Daniel R. Long, RA NCARB

The zoning laws here requuire that on A1 (farming+dwelling) zoned properties, the accesory buildings cannot be more square feet than the primary dwelling. So to get the size of shop I need to make a living, we had to build a house that is 50% bigger than what we need.

They except Agriculture from this, so farmers can build as big a barn as they want to, but make no exceptions for any other activity.

Maybe we should look at changing some laws in situations that require people to build bigger-than-needed houses.

The biggest problem in America today is that we're protected from the true cost of everything. Nobody knows how much some thing cost any more – there's the price you pay and then there's what it actually costs. Every body wants more of some thing and we want a politian or some body else to do what ever is necessary to make it happen for us.

Americans don't know what these huge houses actually cost. It's not as much as you think – at least in some ways. Yes, more dollars spent, but there is an economy of scale that allows for more efficient use of energy, but it's still more energy per inhabitant.

So with this whole carbon foot print thing....how much do I get to polute and what is the optimal population and when do we start looking for volunteers to help reduce the population....

The good news is that homeowners are starting to take action. The hardest thing about making changes is just taking the first few steps. I read about so many people who have an all-or-nothing attitude about living "green". There are many shades of green. I'm just glad people are starting to take steps in the right direction.

homeenergyliving.com

Instead of hiding behind Mother Nature's skirt, let us do the Gaia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis

CO2 and CH4 from cows will not stop the Ice Age from coming.
However, we can change the Albedo in the North
http://profhorn.meteor.wisc.edu/wxwise/AckermanKnox/chap2/Albedo.html

The Coolies could go to Antarctica, taking the Polar Bears with them.
Warmies could farm in Siberia, Greenland, Alaska, and Northern Canada.
..
One happy Spaceship Earth !