Light Bulbs, Mr Stinkypants and the CFL

http://www.richsoil.com/cfl
The adventures of Mr. Stinkypants! Starting off with a career in light bulb engineering, Mr. Stinkypants finds out that he is not the only person trying to make a better light bulb. His career starts out with incandescent lights and later he moves to the world of fluorescent lights - or CFLs.
Thes story starts out with a re-creation of "the light bulb conspiracy" covered in about 60 seconds. But this topic is far better covered in the documentary "planned obsolescence"

http://www.permies.com/t/8560/frugality/planned-obsolescence-documentary

Then the story pops into talking about the new fangled fluorescent light - CFL.

This true story is about a thousand times richer than what I present here. This story skips past the CFL claims for lifespan, toxicicity and price. It does tell a story that I think most people don't know - the CFL is subsidized before you buy it so it appears to be much cheaper than it really is. Then it talks about the ban on the traditional incandescent light bulb. My article and my other videos convey my position that our energy problems are not going to be solved with light bulb choice. Frankly, focusing on heating will make a far bigger difference. In fact, in households where people might think that lightbulb choice could save energy, I think that household could save far more by learning to turn off the lights and far more still by developing a better heating strategy. My article does a much better job of exploring incandescent vs. fluorescent.

Maybe someday my drawing skills will evolve to something resembling actual animation or a cartoon.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• CFL
• light
• bulb
• light bulb
• planned obsolescence
• incandescent
• fluorescent
• saving
• energy
• eco
• green
• permaculture
• organic
• sustainability
• Compact Fluorescent Lamp
• Incandescent Light Bulb
• The Light Bulb Conspiracy

[sensibuddz]

don't these things have poisonous mercury vapor inside?

[paulwheaton12]

@sensibuddz Yes.  Yes they do.

[OCSnowBoarder]

laws change again..i heard that the old light bulbs are not illegal and the new light bulbs contain mercury are "hurting" the environment. no need to horde the old bulbs...

[paulwheaton12]

@OCSnowBoarder enforcement is defunded - the old bulbs are still illegal. we'll see how the next few weeks play out.

[FedupwithR]

I keep going into the super market, gazing at the array of new bulb possibilities, none of which I understand, so come out empty handed telling myself that I'd better do some homework, then forgetting all about it. I need a "Light Bulbs for Dummies."

[paulwheaton12]

@FedupwithR I use old fashioned, cheap incandescents. I calculate that I spend about $1 per month on electricity for my lighting needs. And this is the most luxurious lighting available. I bought some incandescent bulbs that are supposed to have more "happy light" (to combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD)) - but my old bulbs keep going and going, so I haven't been able to try the new ones yet. My advice is to shop for luxuriant light.

[Raaszhecku]

When can we expect the Paul and Stinkpants action figures to be released?

[1samilitant]

The video is missing the end.  You know...where they BAN incandescent bulbs and then REMOVE the subsidizing, and then the flourescent bulbs ACTUALLY cost $20.00 each.

[awesomelyhumble]

True story. Very good documentary to watch is "The Lightbulb Conspiracy - Planned Obsolescence" .

[Grlihi]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHA

OCCUPY MR STINKYPANTS ! ! !

[kittatinnytree]

Screw them all; I'm going to buy an oil lamp.

[str8razer007]

@OCSnowBoarder "the old bulbs" are still banned. Now you'll still be able to buy incandescent bulbs, however, they have to use a new process and there will probably be a new tax on it. They will be less efficient, produce less light, and cost more money. Also, the CFL's are subsidized by the Federal Government(ie: Feds are stealing our money to give to their buddies at GE even though they're made in Oppressive Communist China).

[brendahodgins]

yay led lights!

[quad2004]

I have seen alot of people say test results, I'm simply thinking any test helps drive up cost.

I buy what ever is lowest cost that lights the bathroom, just so i don't pee on my self.

[ras12088]

@OCSnowBoarder besides the mercury poisoning when they finally do die, they also fill your home with "Dirty" electricity. which can affect people with diabetes causing there blood sugar levels to rise. look it up before SOPA stops you from viewing information. better horde the encyclopedias now.

[acularp]

But the best best best thing is that the new lamp radiates at a frequency that makes people ill, so they will buy also more pills