Mike Rowe on Work

[Iowa Roo Mom]

Besides, Mike has already started carving ME a pumpkin... er, gourd... for halloween.

Isn't he a sweetie?

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
Yes, he sure is a sweetie. And so is Mikey.

 

[tdgill]

great video thanks for sharing!

Here's one of my favorites from Mike's Q&A on the Discovery.com website...there are many more great postings from Mike there as well. Do read!


Don't Forget To Turn Off The Lights & Shut The Door On Your Way Out!
June 17, 2008
"Green Factor"

I have noticed a lot of articles about being "green". I was wondering what your view was on it and what you are doing to help in what I call the "green factor?"

I participate in recycling where I live. I have also made art paper out of junk mail that normally would have been thrown in the recycling bin. I also try to recycle in craft and art projects as much as possible.

I have also noticed a lot more celebrities are starting to do more to be "green." I'd like to know what you think of this movement and what you are doing to be "green"?

Just wondering. - createdbywendy

Tricky. Discovery is about to embark on a huge green initiative, and I'd hate to say anything too stupid. Then again, I'd hate to say anything to earnest, so how about a little of both.

If there's a "greener" show on the air than Dirty Jobs, I haven't seen it. Collecting owl vomit is green. Recycling golf balls is green. Collecting rubbing mud for baseballs is green, etc. Fundamental conservation is at the core of many segments, and I'm proud to be part of a show that recognizes such practical contributions by regular folk. Underneath all the green is a ton of brown, and Dirty Jobs is well-acqainted with brown.

However, as a "movement," there is much that gives me pause about being green. As a rule, I am suspicious of any campaign that uses guilt and fear as primary motivators. I don't like the political overtones, the righteous indignation (on both sides,) and the vast sums of money that seem to be flying around the issue. I don't like the "fashionable" elements of going green. And while I am a big fan of our planet, and enjoy its many splendors thoroughly, I don't believe it's wise to anthropomorphize Mother Earth. The green movement relies to much on the "pain" we might cause the planet. There's something arrogant about that, in my opinion - about the notion that we might somehow do more harm to Earth than it has done to itself. (Or that "she" has done to us.) I do not fear for the planet, but do worry about the people on it, and wonder sometimes if those most vocally concerned with global warming for instance, feel the same way. In the end, no matter how prudent we become, the planet will almost certainly outlast us.

Growing up, if I walked out the door without closing it behind me, a swift violence would surely follow. Usually it was a smack on the butt, followed by a "What's wrong with you, do you live in a barn!" Likewise, leaving a room without turning out the light was unpardonable. Whatever I elected to put on my plate, I had to eat. No debate, no exceptions. "Take all you want, eat all you take." Wastefulness was simply not tolerated. My father used to wring out the paper towels, and use them again, and sometimes again. I'm not even kidding. I could go on.

My Dad wasn't green. He just enjoyed getting by with less. And that attitude mentality translated into an overall sensibility of conservation. Today, I am conservative in most things. I believe it's better to make more than you spend, and save more than you think you'll need. I don't care for conspicuous consumption, and believe the biggest problem facing this country is our endless sense of expectation and entitlement and personal debt.

Most of my friends are over extended, and most always have been. The average household has more debt than they can service. As a country, we are trillions of dollars in debt. We do not have a conservative outlook. In my opinion, our pollution problems are just another symptom of that behavior.

There are lots of things we can do together that might make a difference. But untimately, a change in behavior without fundamental change in attitude, will not fix the problem. Frankly, I don't even know if global warming can be fixed. Seems like we should give it a try, but regardless, how can we expect a country that can't pay its bills, to have the discipline to shut the door and turn off the lights?

Mike