Biodiversity - A discussion on Vandana Shiva's excerpt

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1."Our ignorance of the ecological functions of diverse forms of life is no excuse to push species to extinction..."

I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. We should definitely make sure that we take into account the repercussions of messing with species. I believe that it is not very intelligent to grab species and experiment on them later bringing them to near extinction for financial gain. That is morally wrong but sometimes required to advance our own species. It's difficult to decide whether to destroy one valuable thing or the other. Unfortunately, we must find a balance so that we do not end up destroying all life in the process. Ignorance is not bliss and if we continue to view it as such, our future does not seem so bright.

2."Compassion for all livings things has been the basis of most ancient faiths..."

I don't agree with this statement at all. Just because ancient faiths had compassion for all living things doesn't mean that we should all adopt that philosophy. The author provides no reasoning as to why we should adopt them. I think there's a reason why ancient philosophies are not prevalent today such as cavemen no longer exist. They're old, outdated and did not prove prosperous in terms of our survival. Maybe the author had a very good point in mind but didn't elaborate on it. Therefore, me as the reader was left confused as to why someone would make such a statement and then provide no evidence of its effectiveness.


3. "It has been estimated that three billion people... depend on traditional medicines as a principle source of cures for disease."

I don't understand this statement at all. Isn't traditional medicine the same thing as the medicine we have now? We also use plants for our medicines so I'm not really sure what point the author is trying to make here. I understand that not all of our medicines are plant-based but why is it wrong for us to want to cure disease? Some of it might be harmful to the environment but I'm sure we've done our research and figured out that it's worth it for some treatments because there might not be something in nature that could alleviate certain symptoms.

Silent Spring - A discussion on Rachel Carson's excerpt

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Quote 1: "It is also an era dominated by industry, in which the right to make a dollar at whatever cost is seldom challenged." 

I completely agree with this statement. Mankind has become more concerned with making money then anything else. Unfortunately, money is what helps us survive. For those who always had money they don't understand the struggles of those who weren't as fortunate. Money is power and unfortunately that's the way it is for now. Maybe one day we could invent a new way to live harmoniously with the life around us. Maybe we won't all be so greedy but if money doesn't motivate us to invent and innovate, what will? Maybe it's the altruistic nature in us that will help move us along. Even though I feel as if we have become more and more selfish as a species.

Quote 2: "This is an era of specialists, each of whom sees his own problem and is unaware of or intolerant of the larger frame into which it fits."

I think most so-called specialists are aware that their solutions might not have the best effect on the natural world. Everything in the world has trade offs and unfortunately effects on the natural world are the easiest to overlook. Maybe these specialists think that the effects their solutions have are not irreparable. Maybe they're thinking, "I'll make money off of this and then later we will worry about the effects of this creation". Mankind has been creating and inventing in order for our survival. We created spears to hunt and used caves for refuge. Now we have guns, money, buildings, and advanced healthcare. We are only trying to make sure that we survive and thrive as a species. Other species are attempting to do the same. Why is it so wrong for us to overlook environmental damage when our "solutions" help solve serious problems?

Quote 3: "...radiation is now the unnatural creation of man's tampering with the atom." 

Why is it that our tampering with the atom is so unnatural? We are curious beings that thirst for knowledge. It is in our nature to investigate and analyze. We want to know how this world works, this was ingrained in our brains. How is this unnatural? I wish there were more answers to questions like these but I'm not sure that our investigative nature is unnatural. It is a natural desire to learn. We tampered with the atom so that we could defend against others of our own kind trying to cause harm. This is a problem in its own right.

The Nature of the Everglades - A discussion on Marjory Douglas' excerpt

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II. The Grass 

The author paints a very clear picture of the grass in the Everglades. I believe she is trying to personify the saw grass and make it come to life. She states that the saw grass is "so simple, so enduring, so hostile". I believe she is saying that the saw grass is simple because of the way it looks. Saw grass is basically sharp grass that can cut you. So hostile because again it can cut you. It's enduring because of the way it grows on top of decay. Each layer of decay is a little piece of history. Ashes, marks of fire or lightning are some of the signs of history each layer contains.

 III. The Water 

The author explains how the water in the Everglades is formed and it's climate. She explains how the water comes from the rain and how logically it falls so that it is supplied where it is needed. Furthermore, she explains how all the seasons blend together and that in that area no extreme temperatures exist. I believe she again is trying to have the water in the Everglades come to life. She states that everything comes together to let the waters flow and bring life to the Everglades. All the marshes and lakes that contribute to the water that holds life in the Everglades are battling against our water usage. I believe she's attempting to say that the Everglades are struggling to survive because of us and that we are destroying the beautiful life that flourishes in the Everglades.

IV. The Rock 

The author describes the rock as the guardian of the water, grass and life of the Everglades. She states that the sea and the lakes have shaped this rock. She also states how fascinating it is that the way the rock was made to help life flourish and protect it. I believe the author is trying to help the reader understand how everything comes together in this section. The rock is the reason the water and the grass exist and flourish in what we call the Everglades. She's trying to show how everything worked together, every tiny detail, to help each other grow in harmony - one helping the other.

Solomon MacIvey - A discussion about A Land Remembered character

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Solomon MacIvey was introduced in the first few chapters of the book. He was an older man who lived in Miami. Solomon was ashamed at all the destruction going on around him and therefore wanted to spend the rest of his days surrounded by nature as he once was during his childhood. He travels to see his Indian brother and asks him to join him on his journey. His brother refuses and said that they both have separate journeys they must take before they leave this earth. He gives away his beloved Rolls Royce to his chauffeur and enough money to take care of him and his family.

MacIvey realized that the land his ancestors depended on for survival was now seen as a business opportunity instead of for what it really was. His family started off relying on the land and he exploited that land for financial gain.

Solomon had a strong sense of place being surrounded by nature. He was taught how to live alongside the land and survive off of it. When he saw opportunity to build wealth by using the land he was consumed by greed and destroyed his sense of place. The legacy he left behind was none because he was the last of his family line. All he had to show for was money.

I don't relate to this character too much because I've always been conscious about the environment and its importance. I pick up trash when I'm walking on sidewalks, I don't litter, and I'm mindful of the environment around me so that I do not cause it harm. However, I'm sure that I'm not perfect. I have a car, I use a lot of electricity, and I'm sure I do other things that aren't great for the environment. Hopefully, we'll find ways to live how we want and respect the world around us at the same time before its too late.