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We’re forgetting what darkness feels like

211 points · 125 comments · pseudolus

  1. cadamsdotcom · · focus · HN ↗
    I think actually we're forgetting how economically valuable light is and how much lighting at night improves human lives.

    While also - paradoxically - forgetting that there are plenty of dark places just outside your city if you're willing to drive to them.

    Perhaps it's in service of baiting you to click.

    1. hatthew · · focus · HN ↗
      > there are plenty of dark places just outside your city

      In the eastern half of the US and the western 3/4 of mainland europe, there are very few spots that are below bortle 4. In these regions of the world, people in big cities (i.e. most people) would still need to drive 1-2 hours just to get to bortle 4, let alone below that.

      1. vigilantpuma · · focus · HN ↗
        I think people really don’t realize what they’re missing out on. A really good illustration of this: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.lightpollutionmap.info&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.lightpollutionmap.info&#x2F;

        If you live in England, for example, there is nowhere you can go to see a truly dark night sky. If you live in New York City, it’s a 4 hour drive, and even that isn’t completely dark.

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