A Response to Martin Krieger's What's Wrong with Plastic Trees
"Technologies, which may involve physical processes or social
organization and processes, determine how reproducible an object
is, for we may make a copy of the original, or we may transfer to
another object the significance attached to the original. (Copying
natural environments may be easier than copying artistic objects because
the qualities of replicas and forgeries are not as well characterized
in the case of the natural environment.) Insofar as we are incapable
of doing either of these, we may desire to preserve the original
environment." (220:A:2)
This excerpt provides a good idea of the types of issues Martin
Krieger raises in his paper entitled "What's Wrong with Plastic Trees."
Krieger, a professor of urban planning and development, argues for the
social construction of nature and for humanity's ability to re-create
nature. In this paper I will contest his underlying reasoning and his
general leaning, as I feel they disregard what is empirically verifiable
and historically factual about nature.
In the quote above, I do not so much take objection to his
conclusion, that if we can't fix it, then we shouldn't break it--in fact I
whole-heartedly agree with this point. What I do object to is the idea
that we can reproduce nature either through physical means, or through a
shift in the social beliefs and feelings toward nature. What he means by
this is that the concept of "nature" or "wilderness" has not existed, and
cannot exist independent of a cultural genesis: "What a society takes to
be a natural environment is one"(219:A:3). Krieger claims that our
conceptions of nature have changed based on how much of it there has been.
...
... middle of paper ...
...s, our decision as to how to treat the more unspoiled
areas should settle upon that of preservation with a minimum if any
intervention. We simply do not have a very good idea about what we are
monkeying with, with respect to the natural world, to do otherwise. In
conclusion I quote Aldo Leopold's famous formulation:
The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or
plant,'What good is it?'... If the biota, in the course of aeons, has
built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would
discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the
first precaution of intelligent tinkering.***
Works Cited
** Katz, Eric (1991) The Ethical Significance of Human Intervention in
Nature. Restoration and Management Notes 9:2 p 96
***Leopold, Aldo: Round River, Oxford University Press, New York, 1993,
pp. 145-146.
It is a document in proof the I am a real Christian..”
as we will be following the same set of steps each time we collect a
Inwardness is also the key to the structure of the novel. The book begins in the year 1801, on the very rim of the tale, long after the principal incidents of the story have taken place. Mr. Lockwood, our guide, is very far removed from the central experiences of the narrative. Under Lockwood’s sadly unperceptive direction, the reader slowly begins to understand what is happening at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Gradually we move toward the center of the novel. In a few chapters, Nelly Dean, takes over from Lockwood, and the reader is a little closer to the truth. Still Nelly is herself unperceptive and the reader must struggle hard till reaching the center of the novel; the passionate last meeting of Heathcliff and Cathy in Chapter 15.
Yeager, Leland B. "The Euro Facing Other Moneys." Cato Journal (2004): 27-40. Academic Search Complete.
Over a long period of time, an individual’s social status has always had a great impact on relationships between others. Relationships such as friendship, romance and even family relationships are greatly influenced by one’s social status. When people value social status to the utmost importance, it often acts as a barrier to further solidify relations with others. “Wuthering Heights” is a classic novel written by Emily Bronte which illustrates how social status gets in the way of relationships. This story (set in eighteen hundreds) displays the true nature of the people at that time because they excessive had pride. Since they had excessive pride, they often judged people based on their social class; hence changing their relationship between each other. In this novel social class was measured by observing an individual’s wealth, appearance and manners. Heathcliff happens to be the male lead character of this story that lacks social class due to his rebellious relationship with Hindley. Afterwards, Hindley degrades Heathcliff’s status this affects his connections with Catherine and Nelly. Since Heathcliff’s status diminishes, Catherine becomes reluctant to continue her affair with Heathcliff. Nelly also becomes wary of Heathcliff because his personality changes after restoring his own status. Thus, it is clearly seen that social class has an impact on the story by altering Heathcliff’s relationship between Hindley, Catherine and Nelly.
Oedipus is a hero, as defined by Johnston. According to Johnston, ‘a hero is someone who confronts fate in a very personal manner and whose reaction to that encounter serves to illuminate for us our own particular condition’ (Johnston, Part 2). Oedipus definitely confronts fate in a personal manner. Among other things, he challenges the mysterious qualities of fate by pursuing the Shepherd despite warnings from Jocasta (Sophocles, 71). Oedipus follows through on confronting fate with his individual approach of uncompromising persistence and integrity (Johnston, Part 3). Even at the end of his downfall, Oedipus maintains that Kreon should banish him and that he must obey the curses he himself ordered for the murderer of King Laios (Sophocles, 89-90). Despite being so broken and publicly shamed, Oedipus still persists with his former way of interacting with fate : noble defiance (Johnston, Part 3). Although this quality itself is admirable, Oedipus takes uncompromising to the extreme, losing insight on everything else. Oedipus becomes ignorant to his surroundings, leading to his downfall (Johnston, Part 3). Oedipus’ story also challenges the fundamental belief that life should be rational and just. (Johnston, Part 3) His story illuminates that fate is arbitrarily cruel and will sometimes pick the gre...
Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, is a tragic drama that portrays a great deal of irony. Oedipus, the protagonist, suffers serious misfortune that is significant in that the “misfortune is logically connected with the hero’s actions” (AbleMedia LLC). When the reader learns about the background of Greek culture and the life of Sophocles, this tragic drama is able to become more alive and valuable. It is important to familiarize oneself with the author because it allows for a greater connection to the dialogue presented. Through the character development of Oedipus, one can see how ironic circumstances can turn a prideful king into a tragic figure.
...ause they cannot gauge the governing council’s true thinking. The fourth concern of the implementation of a solitary currency in Europe is that of who is in control?4 Officially the ECB is independent and answers to no political nation. But can one council possibly have the ability to control and balance eleven different economies at the same time? Some say no, but if it can even succeed only a little bit what is good for one economy may not be good for another. This leads into the final concern: Does one economy fit all? When the economy is in the basement the first thing that politicians ask for is a cut in interest rates. In the beginning this may give the desired results but in the long run may entirely destroy an economy. It becomes macroeconomics versus microeconomics.4 What is good for the economy as a whole may not be good for every sector and region.
In a failed attempt to discourage Isabella Linton’s budding desire for Heathcliff in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, Nelly Dean does not hesitate in standing behind Catherine’s assertion that he would destroy Isabella if she were to pursue him romantically: “She is better acquainted with his heart than I, or any one besides,” Nelly warns, “and she would never represent him as worse than he is” (103). While Nelly’s plea falls upon deaf ears, her admission rings true—if there is anyone in Wuthering Heights with more insight on Heathcliff’s actions and motives, it is Catherine Earnshaw. Had Brontë aimed to interrogate Heathcliff’s individual growth and regression in Wuthering Heights, Catherine may have narrated the tale, but as the original
2. To transfer files from one computer to another (the files may be text, images, audio, video, etc.).
then to present a modified version of it, and to show that this new version is,
We are killing our planet. Humans have only been on this planet for about two hundred thousand years, and from the beginning we have been selfish beings, going through with actions that jeopardize our environment, destroying our only home, Earth. Since the dawn of mass production in the 1940's and 1950's, plastic products have become ubiquitous and an integral part of everyday life. Plastics of every kind have made our lives easier, and on the surface, better; plastic causes the price of goods to decrease, satisfying the consumer. However, plastic is not a sustainable material to build our goods from. The production of plastic should be decreased because the process of producing plastic and plastic pollution create several
Trees are usually considered as bland, unusual objects that are usually taken for granted; however, I believe there is more to a tree that meets the eye. They supply oxygen and shade. During the holidays, trees are able to spread holiday cheer by wearing holiday decorations. Through providing, they are always beneficial to the needs of others. Rather than having striking beauty like a flower, trees have are grounded and possess a gentle beauty; they are adapted wildflowers to their environment. In fact, if I had to compare myself to an inanimate object, I would choose a tree. A tree has many characteristics in common with me. Characteristics like relying on our roots, strength and observation, and helping others and leaving behind a powerful legacy are a few of the traits we share. All of which I believe are admirable qualities to possess.
Many people assume that the environment is not in danger. They believe that as technology advances, we do not need to worry about renewing natural resources, recycling, and finding new ways to produce energy. They state that one person in the world does not make a large difference. In reality, each individual's contribution greatly affects our environment. Our natural resources are slowly disappearing, and we must work together to save them and the Earth from ruin.
Plastic, like most inventions, was accidentally invented. Charles Goodyear was a perfect example of how things accidently started. He started the process of making plastic by dropping India-rubber mixed with sulfur on a hot stove. The in the late 1930s, chemist Wallace Carruthers invented nylon, which is a synthetic polymer. Polymers have a high melting and boiling point. Synthetic polymers are also known by the word we use today, plastic. The evolution of plastic started during World War II. Ever since then, plastic has been remolded and created to be used for our convenience in our everyday lives. For example, using a plastic cup or plate is more convenient than using a glass cup or bowl. People encounter many different types of plastic each day and may not be aware of it. In fact, during the first two hours of a typical morning, a female college student might encounter the following products which contain plastics: her alarm clock, mirror frame, the tape used to hang her posters, the toilet seat, the shower curtains, her deodorant, her toothbrush, her shampoo and conditioner bottles, her blow dryer, the light switch, bottled water, her refrigerator, a bread bag, her roommate's glasses, her fan, and phone.