Just had a small lunch table debate with two of my colleagues - about banning crackers. Both are young parents and surprisingly they both were trying to justify the whole thing.
(they) Argument : Its just for enjoyment.
(me) Counter : So does drinking and driving - at least the guy who's driving is enjoying. Both are time bombs.
A : It's a festival of light.
C : Exactly. So why bring the sound, smokes, pollution, global warming.........
A : Didn't you burn crackers when you were kid?
C : I wasn't aware about after effects. Now I am educated enough. Aren't you?
A : You cannot change everybody.
C : I am not aiming for everybody. I just wanted to convey to you two and seems I failed miserably.
A : We understand it creates air pollution. And so does vehicles and factories. Why not shut down all?
C : Because as a single person, least I can do is stop using crackers. (And convince others, well, at least I am trying
![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
). Besides "many" of those factories/vehicles are necessities for survival while crackers are just for 'enjoyment'. We can enjoy differently - hanging with friends/family, having good food, watching a good movie.
A : I know about the pollution and all. But if my kid sees others and asks for some how can I refuse my kid on a diwaali eve?
C :
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A : Say govt bans the crackers. What will happen to those workers working on such factories? They don't have any other skills, how would they survive?
C :
<I don't know how to react to that.>
(I said that's the worst logic ever, and now he's offended with me)