I think the US states that have enacted fluorescent lighting bans so far largely did so in order to reduce mercury pollution. I think this is due to the international adoption of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

@HomeBrewLamps — no offense Owen, but didn't you step down as a moderator? And thus, rule enforcement does not fall on your shoulders any longer?

And why are you so offended that Alex and I exchanged some VERY docile criticisms? Evidenced by Alex's first reply, he understood exactly what I was getting at. So why is that when one says hurty words the wee woo police  come out?? It's not even you in most cases, this has happened before, particularly with Rudy.

I mean, inherently lamp bans are political discussions. In all senses of the word, that is exactly what they are— decisions made by political figureheads. So I find it odd that we cannot even bring up politics when the topic at hand is literally that.

And I can imagine bias from the mediating side can affect things too... not saying you are, but no one is completely non-partisan.

And you say people leave when someone can't get along. Well, I disagree, and I think occasionally hosting productive conversation regarding personal opinions is healthy and a good way of avoiding echo-chamber insanity. Have a look at Reddit, for example.

I'm sorry if this thread took a turn though. And I do understand that this should've been done through DMs. But my reasoning stands that Alex has done some bizarre things that could warrant some annoyance.

I have a bad feeling that this is going to become an argument…