To Save the Earth
I wonder how much the front yard of my childhood home is worth. Of course, it's worth less now than before. Once, a stately tree stood in each corner: a tall lilac, a pine, a cherry tree, and a droopy evergreen. My favorite tree lived in the middle. I never knew what kind it was, but every spring it blossomed in delicate pink, and on warm afternoons, I read under its canopy. The front yard no longer looks like that, however. My father removed the lilac bush because it made the lawn too difficult to mow, and cut many of the branches from the pine and my pink-flowered tree so that friends could park their cars on our lawn rather than getting ticketed for parking on the street.
Eventually, my tree died from those wounds. But parking place or childhood haunt, what's my yard worth? In The Future of Life, Edward O. Wilson wonders the same about the whole Earth.
Wilson, an advisor to various environmental groups and an award winning entomologist, acknowledges that his work requires the preservation of natural habitats, but also clearly feels a deep love for the natural world and a deep sorrow for its destruction. The first half of The Future of Life discusses the ways humans have harmed the environment, culminating with the idea that (like my dad and the yard) we have never been good for the Earth. "The trail of Homo sapiens, serial killer of the biosphere, reaches to the farthest corners of the world." Stopping here, Wilson would make a powerful and persuasive statement, but also a damning and uninspiring one, and the time it takes to impart the lesson dulls its impact. Fortunately, he goes on to explore why this damage is a tragedy, even to an economically minded person like my dad, and how to remedy ou...
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...ve large areas of existing ecosystems, particularly rain forests. He argues that NGOs, effective as they have been, cannot save the earth by themselves, and emphasizes the need for greater government involvement. His ideas are firmly grounded in reality, however, and he acknowledges that "...local people with families to feed do not see the larger picture, and their needs cannot be met by a purely preservationist policy." Instead he advocates the economic exploitation of these ecosystems, but in a sustainable and ultimately non-destructive manner. His ideas and goals for the future show a balance necessary in any productive discussion about The Future of Life. If only he could have spoken to my dad about our yard.
Works Cited:
Wilson, Edward O. The Future of Life. 2002: Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
Note: "Overyielding" appears as a single word in the text.
The Red Convertible by Louise Erdrich (Erdrich 134-140) is a story of lost youth and innocence told through the eyes of a brother powerless to help. The title itself invokes imagery of youth and freedom. In the beginning one might think that this story is about Lyman, the narrator, who tells this story in the first person point of view. However, as the story unfolds the reader is allowed to see that the focus is not truly Lyman (himself), but the loss and struggle of his older brother, Henry Junior. Like Lyman, Henry begins a happy, carefree young man. Nevertheless, we see him transform into a beaten man with no hope. This is done mostly through the author’s use of symbolic imagery of the “The Red Convertible”.
In “The Red Convertible,” Louise Erdrich through her first- person narrator Lyman, creates an unspoken emotional bond between two brothers. This emotional bond between the brothers is not directly spoken to each other, but rather is communicated through and symbolized by “The Red Convertible.” In spite of what appears as a selfless act by one brother, in turn, causes pain in the other brother, as no feelings were communicated. In this case, Lyman explains his version as he takes us through the experiences that he and his brother Henry have with the car.
It is possible to write on the life of Jesus in a topical manner. This paper will be divided into three parts. In the first part of the paper, I will discuss about the nature of a gospel, Johns views vs. the Synoptic, whether or not the writers of the gospels were eyewitnesses and how they used written sources and also about what is Q source and how Mathew and Luke were similar when it came to their sources; how the old testament stories (Moses, Samuel, Elijah) used to interpret Jesus and finally whether or not Sermon on the Mount happened. In the second part of my paper, I will talk about Jesses birth and childhood, the miracles, his resurrection and also the actions Jesus did relating to curing people, spirits and how they are these interpreted: prophet, magician, madman compare Saul and Elijah. In the final part of the paper, I will discuss about what Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God vs. the kingdom of the Romans and what he meant by the end of the world and also the reason behind the Romans executing him. My sources for this paper will be the New Jerusalem Bible (Gospels of John, Mark, Matthew and Luke) and lecture notes from Professor Trumbach.
Sleep apnea is becoming increasingly more concerning for the association this sleep disorder poses to the psychological effects on people. Sleep deprivation is only one example of the effects caused by this medical condition which could be related to increased anxiety and depression. Millions of Americans suffer from sleep apnea without even realizing the sleep disorder is creating a problem. There has been significant progress in identifying sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea, and creating successful methods to help individuals more easily live with it. The thought of losing breath while sleeping without knowing this is occurring can intimidate an individual and his or her family. Studies reveal the link between sleep apnea and the psychological effects it causes which can include anxiety, depression, relationship problems, lack of dreams, and other issues. Other factors to consider related to the research of sleep apnea include culture, gender, age, obesity, and habits including smoking and drinking.
Since, OSA increases the risk of various health issues it is very important that people suffering from it go through the required treatment to get it cured. Usually the treatment methods for OSA require a long term management and some of the treatment methods used are:
Sleeping is an important part of human lives. Without sleep mankind cannot operate at the proper functioning levels required by everyday life. Sleep apnea affects many Americans today, but many do not understand what it is, and how it poses problems to health. Whether it is obstructive or central, sleep apnea is a serious condition that can cause many problems and should be treated.
This earth has so many wonderful things to offer, including what is still unknown. The responsibility to keep this earth safe lands in the hands of mankind. Humanity may not exist if the responsibility is ignored.. In the chapter “For the Love of Life,” published in the non fiction book The Future of Life (2002), naturalist and Pulitzer Prize winning author Edward O. Wilson discusses the effects the nature, including what is still unknown, has on the prosperity of mankind and argues that humanity has an obligation to preserve nature because of its genetic unity. Wilson supports his claim by justifying the reasons for conserving and preserving nature including how technology can never fully replace it, describing habitat preferences as a component of biophilia - which is explains human’s predisposition to love
In the twenty-first century, awareness of the environment has dramatically increased as it begins to suffer at the hands of humans. Discussions on protecting the world’s luscious ecosystems have multiplied. Groups of so-called “environmentalists” and their critics flock at the chance to throw their opinion in. Though strong-minded, the intent of these people are seriously doubted by those such as contemporary scientist Edward O. Wilson. In his satiric and forward book The Future of Life, Wilson employs a slippery slope logical fallacy, classic name-calling, and sarcasm in order to illustrate the unproductive nature of such discussions.
It is imperative that a sleep disorder is treated because an early treatment can prevent a drastic problem in the future. There are several options or paths to take when dealing with a sleeping disorder. However, options depend on the severity of the sleep disorder. These options include changing sleeping patterns, use of machines, and medication. Initially, home remedy treatments are enough to achieve a better night’s sleep. A simple position change while sleeping can be enough to stop snoring. An addition of a second pillow or changing the room temperature to a suitable level may be the missing piece to stay asleep throughout the night. Withhold eating food two hours before bed helps prevent a digestive system upset that may occur in the middle or beginning of sleep. Individuals do not have to deal with a sleep disorder alone, family members or bed partners identify the signs as well (Living with Sleep Apnea 1). Having the emotional support from loved ones can make the process of dealing with a disorder easier. Treatment for a severe sleep disorder can much more extensive and expensive. For individuals with sleep apnea, a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is available with a prescription. This machine is put on the face as a mask and thus raises the pressure of air in the throat, providing an opening for the airway and fortunately a better sleep.
The Red Convertible, written by Louise Erdrich, is a short story written in the first person perspective of a Chippewa Indian named Lyman. It portrays the story of his brother, Henry, who joins the Marines and fights in the Vietnam War. Before recruiters pick up Henry, Lyman describes him and his brother’s road trip in their brand new red Olds. Lyman explains Henry’s characteristic during their joy-ride as friendly, joking, and fun. Returning from their road trip, Henry leaves for Vietnam. When he returns, Henry is not the same joyful man that he once was before he had left. Louise Erdrich’s short story, The Red Convertible, follows the life of Henry who is as funny joking guy. Although war has changed him, and it was not for the best. Louise Erdrich’s theme for The Red Convertible is that war can devastate peoples’ lives.
In the short story “The Red Convertible” you will find some important elements that are integral to the support and development of the theme brotherhood. First, you will see how the road trip gives a lesson in the story. Second, you will discover how the war affected the relationship of Lyman and Henry. Finally, you will understand the symbolism of the red convertible and the link it has between both brothers. One important element that has a powerful lesson in the story is the road trip. While Lyman and Henry went on a drive one afternoon, they met a girl named Susy in the middle of the road. Susy had her hair in buns around her ears and was very short. They let her jump in the car and they take her to Alaska, where she lives. They stood in Alaska for a while and the night before they went back home, Susy stood up on a chair and unclipped her hair, and it reached to the ground. They were both astonished when they saw her hair. Not only because it was very long, but perhaps because they never seen her hair from that perspective, “You couldn’t tell how much hair she had when it’s rolled up so neatly”. The moral of that scene was that even if we see things one way, there is always a different perspective to see it. Even the relationship that anyone can have with someone else can be seen in different perspectives.
The world is categorized into many ecospheres, among all, water and land. Upon further analysis, it is evident that both nature and humanity are interdependent. However, our anthropocentric views on the world have led to a golden age of mass production, accelerating beyond natures ability to regenerate itself. In the late 1950s nature was not seen as an item of importance, during the time civilization was captured by the topic of civil rights for the human being, rather than the detrimental natural surroundings. Often times, society does not utilize all the resources provided by the environment and can fall into the mindset of hurting the environment without knowing the full consequences. In Silent Spring, Rachel Carson exposes the hidden
Louise Erdrich's enthralling short story "The Red Convertible" portrays the relationship between a red convertible and two Native American brothers. The narrator, Lyman, the younger of the two brothers, begins the story by unfolding a tale of a nonchalant summer, where the two brothers purchase an old-fashioned convertible and travel together; followed by many more encounters the brothers’ experience. This short story takes an audience through what starts as a standard everyday life of two distinctive individuals, and as the story moves forward, the reader is taken through the action and episodes that later head to Henry’s destiny. Louise Erdrich delivered symbolism profoundly in this story, and as proposed by the title, the red convertible
In an effort to save the human race, humanity has almost been lost. Humans destroy nature in a futile attempt to conquer it, by doing so they begin to lose their own humanity and their natural connection to the environment. While some believe that attempts to control the environment, such as pesticides, affect only the desired nuisance, the truth of the matter is that they affect everyone. Barbra Kingsolver, author of “High Tide in Tucson,” Aldo Leopold of A Sand County Almanac, and Rachel Carson of Silent Spring agree that the way many humans treat nature is worsening and needs to be reexamined.
Is it too late to save the world? Probably not! Perhaps the real question should be if society will actually do something about it or not. Perhaps the world leaders are more interested in money than the welfare of the environment.