While we are for the conservation of the environment and against the gross waste of food that we see in the US while there are so many homeless, we have also strong observations about the eco movement and a group of behaviours we refer to as "dumpster diving". The problem that we see is that while the people who engage in these activities are opposed to the imperfections of the current system, which are many, they themselves don't seem to produce much. One of the first considerations in helping the poor or any project that one loves is to produce a surplus, and with that surplus assist the people one would assist. So in order to help the Akha, we have to produce more than we consume, and pay for items in the project, needs of the project and needs that the Akha have. We can not send the Akha a box full of air.

However what we have noticed very clearly about our dumpster diving friends is that in fact they are not about to generate any kind of surplus of their own to help those who would appear to be one of the needy groups they are so keen on defending.

They are least likely to donate for a cause.

They are full of ideas as long as it doesn't cost THEM anything, or too much time.

They are least reliable.

In other words THEY are not willing to pay for an alternative world, while finding fault with the world they say they disagree with.

We know that to help the Akha we must pay. We must pay for alternatives, we must pay to raise awareness, we must pay with time and money, we must sacrifice our time and energy to make changes that will not happen on their own. It can not happen at anyone else's expense. We must make it happen.

So if you want a better world, but want someone else to pay for it, keep on moving, we don't need you.