--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As Delegate of San Francisco, what should…" description: "\"“As Delegate of San Francisco, what should you do with these people? I think the answer is clear: alternative energy. Since wards are liabilities, ther..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/mencius-moldbug-44998_alternative-energy_as-delegate-of-san-francisco-what-should_1464469.jpg" --- # As Delegate of San Francisco, what should you do with… ![“As Delegate of San Francisco, what should you do with these people? I think the answer is clear: alternative energy. Since wards are liabilities, there is no business case for retaining them in their present, ambulatory form. Therefore, the most profitable disposition for this dubious form of…” quote by Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/mencius-moldbug-44998_alternative-energy_as-delegate-of-san-francisco-what-should_1464469.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/mencius-moldbug-44998_alternative-energy_as-delegate-of-san-francisco-what-should_1464469.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/mencius-moldbug-44998_alternative-energy_as-delegate-of-san-francisco-what-should_1464469.jpg) > ““As Delegate of San Francisco, what should you do with these people? I think the answer is clear: alternative energy. Since wards are liabilities, there is no business case for retaining them in their present, ambulatory form. Therefore, the most profitable disposition for this dubious form of capital is to convert them into biodiesel, which can help power the Muni buses. Okay, just kidding. This is the sort of naive Randian thinking which appeals instantly to a geek like me, but of course has nothing to do with real life. The trouble with the biodiesel solution is that no one would want to live in a city whose public transportation was fueled, even just partly, by the distilled remains of its late underclass.”” [Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius-moldbug/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker mocks a simplistic, market‑driven solution to urban problems, highlighting how treating people as disposable resources ignores social reality and ethical concerns. **In simple terms:** Simplistic solutions that treat people as waste are flawed. Key Takeaway Avoid treating citizens as expendable assets. Themes urban policy ethics economics social justice Mood critical skeptical reflective Type political philosophical satirical When to use this quote - city planning - policy debates - community activism - environmental initiatives Key Concepts Randian thinking biomass conversion public transport class dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance efficiency with humanity? - What alternatives respect both environment and residents? A Different Perspective Such ideas overlook human dignity and practical feasibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alternative energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alternative-energy/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-life/) [San francisco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/san-francisco/) ## Related quotes > [“Problem 7-4 Can used cooking oil or grease, such as that from a deep-fat fryer or a frying pan, be poured into the fuel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-gibilisco/problem-7-4-can-used-cooking-oil-or-grease-such-as-that-from-a-deep/) Stan Gibilisco > [The low price of oil is a headwind to investments in alternative energy technologies, but it will not stop them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ghosn/the-low-price-of-oil-is-a-headwind-to-investments-in-alternative/) [Carlos Ghosn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ghosn/) > [“For example, once I failed to find elf toenails for her. (I still haven't found anybody who supplies them, for that matter. The witch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-connolly/for-example-once-i-failed-to-find-elf-toenails-for-her-i-still-haven/) Tina Connolly > [The promises of pie-in-the-sky liberal environmentalists that we can convert to 'clean' energy sources and stimulate our economy are based on dubious environmental and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-limbaugh/the-promises-of-pie-in-the-sky-liberal-environmentalists-that-we-can/) [David Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-limbaugh/) > [The potential for alternative energy sources, mainly solar and wind power, to completely replace coal and gas for utility generation globally is, I think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-grantham/the-potential-for-alternative-energy-sources-mainly-solar-and-wind/) [Jeremy Grantham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-grantham/) > [There's a lot of wishful thinking that somehow we'll replace fossil fuels with alternative energy sources, but they remain far from reality. We're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howard-kunstler/there-s-a-lot-of-wishful-thinking-that-somehow-we-ll-replace-fossil/) [James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/) > [That's one of the most exciting things about Michigan's future. We need to, we must capitalize on our alternative-energy vehicles that we can produce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-granholm/that-s-one-of-the-most-exciting-things-about-michigan-s-future-we/) [Jennifer Granholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-granholm/) > [In Congress, I've advocated for an all-of-the-above energy policy that identifies and promotes alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydropower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elise-stefanik/in-congress-i-ve-advocated-for-an-all-of-the-above-energy-policy-that/) [Elise Stefanik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elise-stefanik/) > [I've definitely seen that Texas is certainly a right-wing area politically. I think if you talk to the average Texan, some people may still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-metcalfe/i-ve-definitely-seen-that-texas-is-certainly-a-right-wing-area/) [Jesse Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-metcalfe/) > [The fossil fuel industry has made advocating alternative energy sources a liberal/conservative thing, and an ideological battle, when it should really be about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-fossil-fuel-industry-has-made-advocating-alternative-energy/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [Popular support for alternative energy has been very high for years. But it harms corporate profits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/popular-support-for-alternative-energy-has-been-very-high-for-years/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [When you look at the number of nuclear power plants in China and India, we can't afford not to pursue similar alternative energy sources.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-latta/when-you-look-at-the-number-of-nuclear-power-plants-in-china-and/) [Bob Latta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-latta/) > [The sooner we get started with alternative energy sources and recognize that fossil fuels makes us less secure as a nation, and more dangerous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/the-sooner-we-get-started-with-alternative-energy-sources-and/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [By reducing our dependence of foreign oil and increasing alternative energy sources such as ethanol, we can begin to bring down prices at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ryun/by-reducing-our-dependence-of-foreign-oil-and-increasing-alternative/) [Jim Ryun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ryun/) > [Considering community support and cost-benefit analysis, I have supported earmarks for projects of high public purpose involving such areas as higher education, alternative energy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-fortenberry/considering-community-support-and-cost-benefit-analysis-i-have/) [Jeff Fortenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-fortenberry/) ## More by Mencius Moldbug > [“Reality alone - bleak, elegant, mindless reality - is the null device on the Reactionary's black flag. Anyone who tells the truth, who believes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mencius-moldbug/reality-alone-bleak-elegant-mindless-reality-is-the-null-device-on/) [Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius-moldbug/) > [“In other words, Kant is assuming that since voters are generally reasonable people, they will vote for reasonable governments that will act reasonably, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mencius-moldbug/in-other-words-kant-is-assuming-that-since-voters-are-generally/) [Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius-moldbug/) > [“Populists voters are people who genuinely believe in democracy. They believe that the way Washington works is that the people elect a President, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mencius-moldbug/populists-voters-are-people-who-genuinely-believe-in-democracy-they/) [Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius-moldbug/) > [ “\[I\]n many ways nonsense is a more effective organizing tool than the truth. 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So we also offer an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mencius-moldbug/but-royalism-even-if-you-stick-a-neo-on-the-front-is-just-too-old/) [Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius-moldbug/) > [“At least in normal conditions of inter-patch peace and harmony, every Patchwork realm should positively exude rectitude and benevolence. This will of course infect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mencius-moldbug/at-least-in-normal-conditions-of-inter-patch-peace-and-harmony-every/) [Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius-moldbug/) > [“But the factor is real: a sovereign is a sovereign, and no government can be entirely without paternal graces. No one in a sane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mencius-moldbug/but-the-factor-is-real-a-sovereign-is-a-sovereign-and-no-government/) [Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius-moldbug/) [Explore all 9 Mencius Moldbug quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius-moldbug/) ## More Alternative energy quotes > [Considering community support and cost-benefit analysis, I have supported earmarks for projects of high public purpose involving such areas as higher education, alternative energy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-fortenberry/considering-community-support-and-cost-benefit-analysis-i-have/) [Jeff Fortenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-fortenberry/) > [By reducing our dependence of foreign oil and increasing alternative energy sources such as ethanol, we can begin to bring down prices at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ryun/by-reducing-our-dependence-of-foreign-oil-and-increasing-alternative/) [Jim Ryun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ryun/) > [The sooner we get started with alternative energy sources and recognize that fossil fuels makes us less secure as a nation, and more dangerous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/the-sooner-we-get-started-with-alternative-energy-sources-and/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [When you look at the number of nuclear power plants in China and India, we can't afford not to pursue similar alternative energy sources.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-latta/when-you-look-at-the-number-of-nuclear-power-plants-in-china-and/) [Bob Latta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-latta/) > [Popular support for alternative energy has been very high for years. But it harms corporate profits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/popular-support-for-alternative-energy-has-been-very-high-for-years/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The fossil fuel industry has made advocating alternative energy sources a liberal/conservative thing, and an ideological battle, when it should really be about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-fossil-fuel-industry-has-made-advocating-alternative-energy/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [I've definitely seen that Texas is certainly a right-wing area politically. I think if you talk to the average Texan, some people may still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-metcalfe/i-ve-definitely-seen-that-texas-is-certainly-a-right-wing-area/) [Jesse Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-metcalfe/) > [In Congress, I've advocated for an all-of-the-above energy policy that identifies and promotes alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydropower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elise-stefanik/in-congress-i-ve-advocated-for-an-all-of-the-above-energy-policy-that/) [Elise Stefanik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elise-stefanik/) > [That's one of the most exciting things about Michigan's future. We need to, we must capitalize on our alternative-energy vehicles that we can produce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-granholm/that-s-one-of-the-most-exciting-things-about-michigan-s-future-we/) [Jennifer Granholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-granholm/) > [There's a lot of wishful thinking that somehow we'll replace fossil fuels with alternative energy sources, but they remain far from reality. We're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howard-kunstler/there-s-a-lot-of-wishful-thinking-that-somehow-we-ll-replace-fossil/) [James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/) > [The potential for alternative energy sources, mainly solar and wind power, to completely replace coal and gas for utility generation globally is, I think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-grantham/the-potential-for-alternative-energy-sources-mainly-solar-and-wind/) [Jeremy Grantham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-grantham/) > [The promises of pie-in-the-sky liberal environmentalists that we can convert to 'clean' energy sources and stimulate our economy are based on dubious environmental and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-limbaugh/the-promises-of-pie-in-the-sky-liberal-environmentalists-that-we-can/) [David Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-limbaugh/) > [“For example, once I failed to find elf toenails for her. (I still haven't found anybody who supplies them, for that matter. The witch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-connolly/for-example-once-i-failed-to-find-elf-toenails-for-her-i-still-haven/) Tina Connolly > [The low price of oil is a headwind to investments in alternative energy technologies, but it will not stop them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ghosn/the-low-price-of-oil-is-a-headwind-to-investments-in-alternative/) [Carlos Ghosn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ghosn/) > [It's a slow process, but it is scary, because if someone can control your energy sources, they can control you. We are already being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-thompson/it-s-a-slow-process-but-it-is-scary-because-if-someone-can-control/) [Mike Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-thompson/) [Browse all 55 Alternative energy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alternative-energy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“As Delegate of San Francisco, what should you do with these people? I think the answer is clear: alternative energy. Since wards are liabilities, there is no business case for retaining them in their present, ambulatory form. Therefore, the most profitable disposition for this dubious form of capital is to convert them into biodiesel, which can help power the Muni buses. Okay, just kidding. This is the sort of naive Randian thinking which appeals instantly to a geek like me, but of course has nothing to do with real life. 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