I’ve never been to Florida, but I’ve been to another glorified swamp called Bangladesh. A multitude of insects around a swamp is quite normal, and desirable. One should realise that in such a natural setting, we are the intruder, not they.
I commend you on abiding by dark sky mandates, but providing people with inappropriate lighting just because they can pay for it and then abuse it is totally wrong. The prevailing culture needs to change. I have realised that, and so should everyone else. I would never advocate depriving people of freedom, for which my nation as well as yours has paid, and is still paying dearly. Those concerned about inappropriate lighting are certainly not control freaks. If the customer is ignorant of the consequences of his actions, then the service provider should advise him accordingly. That is ethical conduct and sound business practice, and it should apply to the lighting industry as much as any other. As a lighting designer you should be providing lighting that is not damaging to the environment (i.e. motion operated) and does not trespass onto neighbouring properties. Such lighting will still provide for the needs of your customers, and as a result everyone wins – yourself, your customers, insects, and the environment.
Well, I’m not sure how glorified Bangladesh is, but I would imagine that it’s pretty buggy!
As for lighting design, how am I going to provide lighting that won’t attract bugs? They’re literally everywhere. They are going to be drawn to lights, that’s just how they function. And motion sensors are fine for some applications, but not for others. You can’t wire the whole lighting scheme to motion sensors, that’s a ridiculous assumption based on ignorance of people’s needs and wants.
As for your contention that we are the intruders into nature, I totally reject that notion. Why are we not considered a part of nature? We are natural beings, we are not artificial or alien to Earth. It’s natural for man to alter his surroundings, just as it is for any other species that does so.
As for being responsible, do you think people are generally stupid? I’m not trying to be rude, but really- do you feel it’s your duty to inform everyone else of what they may or may not do with their own money on their own property? It’s obvious common sense to avoid shining lights into your neighbor’s window, but if someone wants to do that, that’s their personal neighborhood drama to deal with, not mine.
Now you’re also making assumptions about my business practices and the intentions of my clients that are completely unrelated to reality. I’m not going to give someone a bad design, or recommend something that’s harmful or illegal. I would shut down my income stream very quickly, no thanks.
The free market, as always, is the determining factor as it should be- not some control freak legislation.
Anyway, if you feel so strongly about this, I invite you to start your own lighting business and compete against me.
The heart of your belief - that humans are unnatural, and insects are not.
Insects can die by the millions in a city and not affect the area nearby. Yes, Florida is a good test case - rural Florida has no shortage of insects in spite of large cities with lots of lights.
If you want to run around naked in a swamp at night so as to be a part of the ecosystem, have a nut. I think you will find the insects call you 'dinner'!
I would love to see you data showing most crime occurs during the day. Pickpockets? Yes. Armed assault or house robberies? Show me the data.
People put lights up along city streets to make it safer to drive. Your headlights illuminate your immediate path, but you cannot see stuff that might be moving in to it without extra light.
Admire your youthful devotion, enjoy it for romance is trumped by reality over time.