Sometimes I feel like I am not like most of the other academics I know. For one thing, I like to watch TV (when I have time). I don't mean I like to sit and watch trashy programs all day or anything- H, D, and I actually watch a lot of PBS and Discovery HD Theater (yes, have HDTV, and a satellite dish, too). I have some colleagues who don't seem interested in TV- or movies for that matter. This is something I really feel in the minority on. Today, I discovered another one: air conditioning. There are at least four or five people at work who either don't have air conditioning in their homes or have it and don't use it. I really don't understand this. I lived in southern California for almost 10 years and never had A/C because I was near the beach. It wasn't that hot, so we really didn't need it. Now, here in SW Ohio it can get really hot and sticky in the summer. We're having unseasonably warm weather right now (more like August) and today it was 91ºF with a heat index of 97ºF (because of the high humidity). Now, call me crazy, but if I have A/C, I am sure as hell going to turn it on today! My colleagues at work don't seem to agree. I just don't understand- if you have A/C, why be so opposed to turning it on? Is it the energy usage? I am all for reducing energy use and reliance on fossil fuel sources of it, but I draw the line when it come to A/C- I cannot stand to be hot- I wouldn't be able to sleep. Even with the A/C on we are usually warm at night!
So my question is this- a) do you have air conditioning in your home, and b) do you use it. If it isn't hot where you live, than I can understand not having/using it. If not, help me understand this attitude of pretending that it isn't hot. Lots of people in Europe DIED a few years ago because they didn't have air conditioning and there was a heat wave!
16 comments:
We have air conditioning at home, but Mrs. Jogger (who grew up without it) likes it less than I do. I would have turned it on these last few days, but she didn't.
As of this week, I have an air conditioner in my office. Right now, it's in a box in the middle of the floor, where it does precious little good. But once someone puts it in the window, it will be on all the time.
Jogger
i feel the same way about tv! i feel like i know too much about it sometimes b/c so many academic ppl see it as pointless. really, they just haven't discovered the wonderful-ness of it
re: ac: i am so much happier cold than hot. so i would of course use what i had.
I LOVE A/C. LOVE it. And I HATE being hot. So yes, I think A/C is excellent. I do know what you mean, though - I have run into people who seem to equate it with moral degeneracy. Whatever. Keep me cool!
I don't like the feeling the AC gives the air, nor do I like the high energy bills, but I use it because I hate to be hot...
I also love TV... probably more than I should. This could turn into a problem this summer, I'll have to be careful :).
Yes we have central air. In Lake Effec Snow Central, it is sort of a luxury. Usually the summers here are pretty mild. We do use it when it gets really oppresive. Yesterday, it was 91 degrees. But the sad thing was, our AC was not working so we had to suffer!
I've only lived in one place with A/C, and it was sublime. It's more American than baseball and apple pie!
Cheers
I never heard about the anti-AC group, but I have encountered the anti-TV group among our academic colleagues. I wonder if it is all an act. It's hard not to feel like the minority in that regard (or with regard to being a non-NPR listener).
Thanks for all the comments, everyone! I'm glad to know there are others who love their A/C. I think it's necessary for me, because I grew up with it (my mom doesn't like to be hot, either!) and I just have a very narrow comfort range when it comes to temperature! Cheers to all you fellow TV watchers- I think there is a LOT of trash out there on TV, but there are also many worthwhile interesting things, too.
Welcome new visitors and thanks for the feedback! BTW, anonymous- Like many academics, I DO listen to NPR... thanks for stopping by!
Love, love, LOVE the A/C too! I have no qualms about turning it on in May. I'd even turn it on in April, if necessary.
It could be a combination of things. Some people get cold really easily so they don't really like A.C. It can also depend on how your house is constructed, is it in the shade letting air flow through or not. I think alot of academics don't use AC or watch TV or like organized sports in an effort to be conciously anti-establishment, contrarian and so they can tell you how cool they are. and I'm an academic researcher! I just get tired of academic snobbery sometimes.
I can't imagine living in Virginia without A/C! I lived in CA too without A/C and had some very uncomfortable days, but at least it was dry heat. The humidity makes the heat unbearable without A/C.
We don't have a/c now, but if I lived any further south (I'm in PA), I'd certainly have it. When I lived in the humid Midwest, I always had a/c, but I also made rules to limit the use (never before June, only when the temp reaches 90 or whatever--I didn't always follow my own rules). The tricky part is finding apartments that are built to stay cool without a/c.
I, also, am an avid TV watcher. But I watch it all - trashy or otherwise. As an anthropological exercise I think it's fascinating to note that Ken Burns' Jazz miniseries on PBS, while intellectually stimulating, will not be as culturally significant as say, the Jerry Springer show. It's not necessarily a compliment to trashy TV but a commentary on what we value as a society. And what better way to be at the cutting edge of social values? :D
Wow! I noticed that my site traffic has increased after this post was linked on Inside HigherEd! Welcome, new visitors and thanks for the comments!
I have AC, I use it.
When I lived in a town that got 300 inches of snow a year I drove a SUV. The environmentalists could blow me. I wanted to be safe (notably, now that I live in a town with less snow I drive a car).
I also earn enough money to eat out and buy expensive shoes. Clearly I'm a horrible academic. :)
I have never understood people's fascination with air conditioning. I like the natural air, especially when it's hot. I enjoy the desert. My sinuses congest with air conditioning on.
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