TIME MARCHES ON

Koln, Germany, 28 March 1819. The Kolnische Zeitung lists six grave reasons against lighting the streets with gaslight. 1. Theological: It is an intervention in God's order, which makes nights dark... 2. Legal. 3. Medical: It will be easier for people to be in the streets at night, afflicting them with colds... 4. Philosophic-moral: Morality deteriorates through street lighting. Artificial lighting drives out fear of the dark, which keeps the weak from sinning... 6. National...

New York, 1890's. Hotel rooms display a notice: "This room is equipped with EDISON ELECTRIC LIGHT. Do not attempt to light with match.

Simply turn key on wall by the door." And in smaller print underneath:

"The use of electricity is in no way harmful to health, nor does it affect the soundness of sleep."

Albuquerque, N.M., 1980. National Campaign for Radioactive Waste Safety: "We're stuck with the deadly stuff. Nobody knows what to do with it... [Transporting it means] irretrievably concentrating trillions of lethal cancer doses... Why would our government even consider such a plan? Because that's what the military-industrial complex wants."