Lights Out Dallas

[JohnMcKee]

Did anyone go to any of the watching parties? I watched it from my balcony with a friend, it was neat at first but after they had all gone dark we both looked at each other and said "This sucks, I'm ready for the lights to come back on".

I almost felt like it had the opposite effect then it was supposed to, our skyline is one of the most well known in the world and it looked so, sad, in the dark.

[citizen]

Did anyone go to any of the watching parties? I watched it from my balcony with a friend, it was neat at first but after they had all gone dark we both looked at each other and said "This sucks, I'm ready for the lights to come back on".

I almost felt like it had the opposite effect then it was supposed to, our skyline is one of the most well known in the world and it looked so, sad, in the dark.


I was dissapointed that there were still so many lights on - kudos to the folks that participated

[dfwcre8tive]

It was a bit weird driving through downtown with everything dark; it looked even more deserted than usual. It's interesting how buildings become unrecognisable with their signature lights turned off. We drove over and found a spot in the Cedars to watch them all turn back on at 9:30.

[dfwcre8tive]

Video:

http://www.dallasnews.com/video/dallasnews/hp/index.html?nvid=346688

and photos:

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/03/blackout_downtown_dallas_goes.php

[cowboyeagle05]

We have had our own Earth nights over at Opening Bell Coffee in the Mosaic building. Since Friday night when that strong wind blew in the street lights along the DART line between St.Paul and Akard stop have been completely off we have been trying to call DART, the City of Dallas, and Oncor. As usual no one can help us I guess I will have to email Angela Hunt again she had them fixed in a day last time.

But during the Earth Hour I did notice the signature lights go out on nearby buildings but I have to admit I wouldn't want anymore than that turned off. Without the street lights in front of our coffee shop its murder dark. You would think the DART drivers would have notified someone already that their lights are out.

[Tnekster]

So that was it? They turned the signature lights out on all these buildings but everything else was left on?

[mjblazin]

From my viewpoint at the south edge, it looked like the logos and more distinctive elements extinguished, but many individual office lights remained lit. It's too difficult to go through the building working thousands of switches. We had the same issue in our building. You don't want to extinguish lights in hallways and garage visible from the street for safety reasons. People in units don't want to sit in the dark for an hour on Saturday night.

[smudoode]

From my viewpoint at the south edge, it looked like the logos and more distinctive elements extinguished, but many individual office lights remained lit. It's too difficult to go through the building working thousands of switches. We had the same issue in our building. You don't want to extinguish lights in hallways and garage visible from the street for safety reasons. People in units don't want to sit in the dark for an hour on Saturday night.

We are so addicted to technology. Can't even turn the lights out for a single hour. Too inconvienent. :(

[cowboyeagle05]

We are so addicted to technology. Can't even turn the lights out for a single hour. Too inconvienent. :(


I would say our addiction to technology could save us from this issue over time many buildings are integrating auto turn off sensors for non essential lights but there is a argument to whats essential in a office building that a couple of security guards have to monitor all night. Its hard to spot a criminal if you can even see them.

[smudoode]

I would say our addiction to technology could save us from this issue over time many buildings are integrating auto turn off sensors for non essential lights but there is a argument to whats essential in a office building that a couple of security guards have to monitor all night. Its hard to spot a criminal if you can even see them.

We've got motion detectors, infrared technology, and heat-based censoring.

But that is beside the point, Global Earth Hour was reportedly a vote. Those who turned out their lights, voted for the future of this planet, and those that didn't voted for themselves.

This is a fairly new event, but next year and in the future, I hope to see more action around the city and country.

[incrediculous]

But that is beside the point, Global Earth Hour was reportedly a vote. Those who turned out their lights, voted for the future of this planet, and those that didn't voted for themselves.

Oh, we were voting? I'm always the last to find out about these things. Back when American flags were popular in 2001, I didn't realize they were votes for freedom, so I accidentally voted for oppression.

Now it seems I've voted for the destruction of the planet! I suck at this.

[Columbus Civil]

We need to find out who visited this site during Earth Hour and ban them.

[cowboyeagle05]

We've got motion detectors, infrared technology, and heat-based censoring.

But that is beside the point, Global Earth Hour was reportedly a vote. Those who turned out their lights, voted for the future of this planet, and those that didn't voted for themselves.

This is a fairly new event, but next year and in the future, I hope to see more action around the city and country.

Oh calm down a computer virus will kill us all before the uncertain practice of understanding the planet Earths weather patterns. I mean Conficker hits D-day tomorrow if we are going to run around screaming the sky is falling we should start with what we know.

[Hannibal Lecter]

We've got motion detectors, infrared technology, and heat-based censoring.Of course none of those use any energy to function.

( Or are they like the DART trains -- power by magical fairies that don't emit any pollution?)


heat-based censoring.Freudian slip?

[JBB]

Did the coal and gas fired power plants that produce our power shut down as well?

[smudoode]

Of course none of those use any energy to function.

( Or are they like the DART trains -- power by magical fairies that don't emit any pollution?)

Freudian slip?

This event was about lights.

[NThomas]

We need to find out who visited this site during Earth Hour and ban them.

hahaha!

[cowboyeagle05]

Get over it it was meant as an awareness thing not a significant energy savings. They were only interested in turning off signature building lighting to make a impact for publicity. People are not that dumb on here that they believed they saved a whale while flipping off the Emerald tower(BofA) in Downtown Dallas for an hour. It was meant as a joint publicity stunt to promote support for world wide smarter energy usage. Don't get so "well Dart doesn't run on pixie dust" we are not idiots in that we believe that the new DART Green Line runs on bamboo shoots.

[downtownguy25]

Get over it it was meant as an awareness thing not a significant energy savings. They were only interested in turning off signature building lighting to make a impact for publicity. People are not that dumb on here that they believed they saved a whale while flipping off the Emerald tower(BofA) in Downtown Dallas for an hour. It was meant as a joint publicity stunt to promote support for world wide smarter energy usage. Don't get so "well Dart doesn't run on pixie dust" we are not idiots in that we believe that the new DART Green Line runs on bamboo shoots.

Things like this are idiotic, most "green" ideas are just for show and do not really made a difference. Recycling is a great example, much of it still ends up in landfills, even more so now a days. Hybrid cars, all those batteries made with toxic materials that have to be replaced every few years. Plus if you are like me and only drive on highways hybrids in fact get less mpg than many non hybrid counter parts. If people were really so concerned about global warming they would not wait for the gov to force them to change how they live. They would be putting solar cells on their homes, converting their cars to all electric, etc. The people who are pushing this green idea are making out like bandits. Look how much money Gore has made.

[smudoode]

Things like this are idiotic, most "green" ideas are just for show and do not really made a difference. Recycling is a great example, much of it still ends up in landfills, even more so now a days. Hybrid cars, all those batteries made with toxic materials that have to be replaced every few years. Plus if you are like me and only drive on highways hybrids in fact get less mpg than many non hybrid counter parts. If people were really so concerned about global warming they would not wait for the gov to force them to change how they live. They would be putting solar cells on their homes, converting their cars to all electric, etc. The people who are pushing this green idea are making out like bandits. Look how much money Gore has made.

Yes, you are right. The whole movement is a joke. Let all progressive unite under Ron Paul and Libertarianism. The Green Party and global warming are for sissies and their attempts at leaving a better planet for the next generations are all futile; so give it up.

[dfwcre8tive]

Tonight is Earth Hour from 8:30-9:30pm

List of participating buildings is here: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/03/dallas_after_dark_tomorrow_nig.php

[totheskies]

As a Houstonian, this is the most hilarious debate ever on this forum. We don't even turn our outside lights on anymore except for during the holiday season. So what are we having down here?? Earth Millenium???

I'm acutally the one on HAIF advocating for us to turn our lights BACK ON, while other forumers argue against it saying that it's a waste of money. Reading this feels like the Twilight Zone (literally and figuratively... LOL).