As I stated, it’s perfectly natural for humans to alter their environment.
Now, I 100% agree with you about the inherent stupidity of any given beauracracy. Some are better than others, but they all seem to suffer from some sort of institutional vortex of power hunger and arrogance.
My clients are private property owners however, not government. I don’t need that headache in my life dealing with such close-minded people.
That said, there are some lighting applications that have no useful purpose other than ambience and beauty. Architectural highlights, landscape elements, sculpture, etc. are all legitimate subjects for a good lighting designer.
I know this is probably sending you into a panic, living with the knowledge that people are spending their own hard earned money on nothing more than pretty lights around their own homes, but there you have it. It happens.
As I said earlier, I try to use the most efficient sources and technologies that I can, (even been looking into some of the newer generation solar panels lately), but there are times when a client has the money to do whatever the hell he wants, efficiency notwithstanding. Guess what. It’s his money, his property, his life. I won’t infringe on his inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness or property use. Obviously, I’m going to do my best to be tasteful and offer my professional advice (since his neighbors also may be my future clients), but ultimately it’s his decision.
And if he wants to leave them on all night, he will. (Yes, we sell timers, photocells and motion sensors too, don’t get too worried.)
As for your line of work as an academic, let me suggest that you’re laboring under a very skewed sense of reality. Sitting in a classroom is all fine and well for book knowledge, but real education and application takes place after the dismissal bell rings.
“That said, there are some lighting applications that have no useful purpose other than ambience and beauty. Architectural highlights, landscape elements, sculpture, etc. are all legitimate subjects for a good lighting designer.
I know this is probably sending you into a panic, living with the knowledge that people are spending their own hard earned money on nothing more than pretty lights around their own homes, but there you have it. It happens.”
Yes, it happens, but fortunately for most people outdoor lighting goes no further than installing a security light. This is fine if it is motion operated. Just because people are free to install all manner of crass decorative lighting does not make it right. Blatant energy wastage for whatever reason is not acceptable in the current climate of concern about climate change and environmental degradation, so unnecessary outdoor lighting should be discouraged. They should not be installing anything above and beyond what they need. And they don’t need decorative lighting. Furthermore though they might think it looks nice, their neighbours may actually think differently.
“As for your line of work as an academic, let me suggest that you’re laboring under a very skewed sense of reality. Sitting in a classroom is all fine and well for book knowledge, but real education and application takes place after the dismissal bell rings.”
Don’t think that because I’m an academic I don’t have any sense of reality. I’ve lived and worked in the real world so I know exactly what it’s like.