Another Bright Idea Or Is It A Dim Bulb?

In conjunction with Earth Day 2012 Phillips Electronics has introduced a new technology light bulb which can possibly last up to 20 years. A bit of overkill, don't you think?

Now with all the issues we deal with in day-to-day living, does everyone but me have such major concerns over a simple light bulb. Okay, so apparently incandescent bulbs are not energy efficient. Neither are SUVs, lawn mowers, most hot water heaters and a shitload of other things we use everyday. What incandescent bulbs are...is cheap. On sale at Shop Rite, I can buy four bulbs for 88 cents. And they will last me a good long time. Exactly how long, I don't know...but I do know that I don't bitch about it when a bulb goes out...so in my frame of reference, that equals a good long time.

Now don't get me started on those CFL crazy shaped bulbs. When I turn on a light, I want light...not the faint glow of a firefly and the promise of more light... eventually. Yes, instant gratification...is a must for a light bulb.

So now, these new 10 watt LED bulbs can offer as much light as a 60 watt incandescent, and if used for up to 4 hours per day...can last up to 20 years. All at a cost of...are you ready, $60. yeah right, let me have a 4 pack of those suckers. According to Phillips spokesperson Ed Crawford  "Consumers are no longer looking at a product that will last just six months to a year, they are looking at a product that is much more efficient and will be with them for decades," Decades...really, for a light bulb? One that costs $60. I don't think so.

Now I'm not as young as I used to be, and I'm thinking if I buy a light bulb that is going to last for 20 years, I may not be alive when it finally goes pffft. This leaves me with decisions to make concerning chain of custody if I'm gone. Is this like owning a parrot which will surely outlive you, making it necessary to provide for it in your will? I hereby bequeath my light bulbs to...hmmm, which of my lucky relatives shall I leave them to?

Phillips says over the course of its lifetime, this bulb will save me $165. Woohoo, over 20 years, I'm saving $165 for a light bulb that has just cost me $60. Don't know about you, but I'm going to Shop Rite buying a 4-pack for $1 and taking the other $59 and buying some booze. Instant light=instant gratification. Leftover Cash=a good time in a bottle.

As for the environmental benefits derived from that $60 sucker? Well, when they stop shooting a billion pounds of chemicals into the air everyday, then talk to me about the ill effects of my 60 watt light bulbs.

Last year when Congress was about to outlaw incandescent bulbs, I started to stock up. My house was starting to look like I was preparing for Y2K all over again.

At this point I figure I have enough incandescent light bulbs to last...oh about 20 years.

Perfect.

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