Matt Smith is a journalist and podcaster at Latrobe University. I read Mr. Smith’s article at http://m.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/pooch-pie-on-the-menu-if-we-dont-cut-ecological-pawprint-20101124-187bh.html. The premise of and statements in the article comparing the environmental impact of a dog and an SUV seemed preposterous to me. Even if their original source is the Vale’s book, Mr. Smith seems to accept them.
A google search for time to eat the dog debunked took me to http://www.salon.com/technology/how_the_world_works/2009/11/06/dogs_vs_suvs_vs_the_earth_debunked, which took me to http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2009/11/02/dogs-vs-cars. It seems like I’m not the only one who find these dog vs. SUV claims of the Vales and of Mr. Smith ridiculous, and not just based on a hunch, but rather on an analysis of facts.
I think Mr. Smith does himself and the world a disservice by spreading this idea, especially without providing information about his independent analysis of the facts. Having some rough idea of the relative environmental merits and demerits of various activities is becoming of ever greater importance to us all. I don’t think Mr. Smith’s article helps us in this respect. I hope that Mr. Smith puts more critical thinking into his future environmental essays. It seemed to be missing in this one.