As summers feel like they’re growing increasingly warmer (and people are talking climate change), Americans are relying more and more on air conditioning to stay cool — compared to say, even three or four decades ago. And for many office workers, this can lead to aggressively frigid temperatures.
The New York Times recently published an op-ed titled “Do Americans Need Air-Conditioning?” which makes the argument that our dependence on air conditioning and intolerance of the heat is a First World learned behavior. Yet, the author also acknowledges that women tend to have more of an aversion to chilly offices than men.
It’s not difficult to see things from both perspectives, however the debate took on a whole new life when Atlantic writer Taylor Lorenz weighed in on Sunday. “Air-conditioning is unhealthy, bad, miserable, and sexist,” she wrote, tweeting the article. “I can’t explain how many times I’ve gotten sick over the summer because of overzealous AC in offices,” adding the hashtag “#BanAC.”
https://twitter.com/TaylorLorenz/status/1147879487121559553
https://twitter.com/TaylorLorenz/status/1148042013834657792
Lorenz added a few more tweets elaborating on her point, but it seems to have fallen to deaf ears. Because as it shockingly turns out, people have very strong opinions when it comes to air conditioning and personal comfort, and many sounded off accordingly.
This is the definitive take on air-conditioning: if you are cold, you can add more clothes. If you are hot, there’s only so much you can take off.
— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) July 8, 2019
Meanwhile those of us who are heat sensitive women do…what? A whole lot of women in offices & homes with no men also keep the AC on. Ask us why. We have a dozen reasons. Mine include asthma & a thyroid condition. https://t.co/ANgCUd3biP
— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) July 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/IanKarmel/status/1148099361634525184
…BAN Air Conditioning? Like get rid of it all together!? https://t.co/16S5rq7XjX
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) July 8, 2019
Anyone campaigning against air conditioning has never lived in the American South.
— Maybe: Alyssa (@lyssiefikse) July 8, 2019
Its sexist to not have AC because men would be uncomfortable and its sexist to have AC because women are uncomfortable.
Solution.
Set AC to 50 so everyone has to wear a sweater. Problem solved https://t.co/TF75nRyAvJ
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) July 8, 2019
Asphalt crews are hiring in Texas, if you're interestedhttps://t.co/X4VLyMQk6R
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) July 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/rgay/status/1148108827914407937
I didn't think I would have to say AIR CONDITIONING IS GOOD out loud today, but here we are.
— Steph Driver (@StephaliciousD) July 8, 2019
And of course there were jokes:
https://twitter.com/AlexMcDaniel/status/1148195539932057600
This might be controversial, but I think air conditioning should be run at full blast in winter, and heating at full blast in summer. Won’t be explaining this or reading replies
— pixelatedboat aka “mr tweets” (@pixelatedboat) July 8, 2019
the twitter fight of the day always feels randomly selected. it's like the host on Iron Chef revealing the secret ingredient but it's air conditioning instead of scallops
— JP (@jpbrammer) July 8, 2019
Air Conditioning is arguably the greatest invention of all time. In no particular order, A/C, the tv remote, the internet, and twitter. I will not let my good friend Central Air be slandered like this! https://t.co/duzCFf4z6z
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) July 8, 2019
Me watching this air conditioning debate in my home office rn pic.twitter.com/OWblYZXRc0
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) July 8, 2019
it's ironic that the subject of air conditioning has produced the hottest takes
— sarah jeong (@sarahjeong) July 8, 2019
But at least a few people were able to provide a voice of reason, of sorts:
https://twitter.com/GMPaiella/status/1148204487468826624
It is possible to acknowledge that women generally get cold more easily than men, and that workplaces often calibrate towards men’s preferences, without declaring that air conditioning is “unhealthy, bad, miserable, and sexist.” My wisdom for today.
— Alexandra DeSanctis Marr (@xan_desanctis) July 8, 2019
With temperatures exceeding 90 degrees in many parts of the country in the long-term forecast, this debate is almost certain to rage on. Or at least, until the next thing Twitter users decide to be mad at, anyway.