Write about a specific, broad-reaching "system" that you learned about in this class (either you had never heard of before, had heard of but never contemplated, or knew a little bit about). In whichever case, choose something that stood out and has some relevance to your personal life/interests.
1.) Choose a complicated, far reaching topic (i.e. the carbon cycle, the agro industry, consumerism, biodiversity, Haber Bosh process, evolution, CAFOs, GMOs,... really anything from the class that most profoundly affected your way of looking at the world).
2.) Explain your topic, (give it's history, definition/description, why and if it's controversial, etc.). Then explore what other systems it affects, including your relationship to it.
So if you talk about logging, you might start by talking about a general historical overview, explain what logging is (what's the process), why it's done, pros and cons, and importantly, what are the farther reaching ramifications (or indirect effects) of the logging industry? (erosion/ loss of bio diversity/ reduction in land's capacity to absorb melting ice/ the watertable lowers/ more CO2 in the atmosphere because fewer trees/ on the other hand, it provides jobs, timber, cleared land ready for agriculture or development, etc. Then you can talk about how this may affect your particular community/ family/ self.
Good luck and it's been a pleasure getting to know all of you!
Reed
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Weekly Response 12
Levester Williams
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
ADP 250: Technology and Environment
Ecocide
Since foreign countries have colonized other developing countries in the past, those countries may have been introduced a problem that disrupts the biota of that region: the introduction of foreign species. Introduced species may sometimes outcompete indigenous species since the native species have not encounter those species before. Those introduced species may prey on the native species, who have not evolved or adapted to avoid such predators; therefore, the predation leads to decline or the extirpation of native species. Furthermore, those introduced species may outcompete natives in food and territory resources. Current examples of this ecocide and its consequences on that society can be found in Australia and United States.
Introduced species may be implemented in an environment out of ignorance or carelessness. When British colonized Australia in the 18th century, they incorporated their lifestyle into the lives in Australia. However, both environments have significant differences since Australia has low soil productivity (Diamond 390). Even though the sheep provided the export of wool, the sheep deprived the soil of its few nutrients. Also, foxes, who have no predators in Australia, eats native species while rabbits eats vegetation of the Australia’s native species (Diamond 392). In Montana, the introduction of foreign species has decrease the commercial fishing due to the decline of native species and the infection of disease from foreign fishes. Also, chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease that can be transmitted from the nonnative elks and deers into human (Diamond 54). In addition to that, Montana has weeds that efface much vegetation. To overcome this issue, Montana must buy expensive herbicide (Diamond 55). This is an ecocide since this issue affects biodiversity: it may cause the extinction of native species. Biodiversity is healthy to our system, and without it, biota of all regions will be disrupted and will lead to a chaotic phenomena. An example of how drastic that introduced species may affect a biota is the migration of the Asian carp in the Mississippi River. The fear of this carp in Michigan’s Great Lakes has urged the government to poison two miles of the Chicago River to stop its entrance (Trumpey).
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Trumpey, Joe. "Biodiversity." Art & Design III: Technology and Environment. Univeristy of Michigan Ann Abor, Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor. 2 Dec. 2009. Lecture.
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
ADP 250: Technology and Environment
Ecocide
Since foreign countries have colonized other developing countries in the past, those countries may have been introduced a problem that disrupts the biota of that region: the introduction of foreign species. Introduced species may sometimes outcompete indigenous species since the native species have not encounter those species before. Those introduced species may prey on the native species, who have not evolved or adapted to avoid such predators; therefore, the predation leads to decline or the extirpation of native species. Furthermore, those introduced species may outcompete natives in food and territory resources. Current examples of this ecocide and its consequences on that society can be found in Australia and United States.
Introduced species may be implemented in an environment out of ignorance or carelessness. When British colonized Australia in the 18th century, they incorporated their lifestyle into the lives in Australia. However, both environments have significant differences since Australia has low soil productivity (Diamond 390). Even though the sheep provided the export of wool, the sheep deprived the soil of its few nutrients. Also, foxes, who have no predators in Australia, eats native species while rabbits eats vegetation of the Australia’s native species (Diamond 392). In Montana, the introduction of foreign species has decrease the commercial fishing due to the decline of native species and the infection of disease from foreign fishes. Also, chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease that can be transmitted from the nonnative elks and deers into human (Diamond 54). In addition to that, Montana has weeds that efface much vegetation. To overcome this issue, Montana must buy expensive herbicide (Diamond 55). This is an ecocide since this issue affects biodiversity: it may cause the extinction of native species. Biodiversity is healthy to our system, and without it, biota of all regions will be disrupted and will lead to a chaotic phenomena. An example of how drastic that introduced species may affect a biota is the migration of the Asian carp in the Mississippi River. The fear of this carp in Michigan’s Great Lakes has urged the government to poison two miles of the Chicago River to stop its entrance (Trumpey).
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Trumpey, Joe. "Biodiversity." Art & Design III: Technology and Environment. Univeristy of Michigan Ann Abor, Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor. 2 Dec. 2009. Lecture.
Week 12
Yu-Jen(Chris),Tsai
Diamond talks a lot about the factors that are causing the collapsing societies over the times; he also made several lists to clarify his point. In the online video, Jared brought up several examples that explains particularly on the five-point frame work he came up with, which can be related to many other ecocide elements and factors in the book Collapse. For example, the soil problem and the deforestation issues are part of the first list of the five; that is the human impact on the relied resources. During the lecture, Diamond discussed some of the problems Montana has gone through and need to be prepared to solve and face, which is also one of the main theme stated in the first part of his book. Firstly, the human impact on the environment of Montana State is mainly due to the toxins due to the mine waste, causing many severe damages on the land. Irreparable economic loss then emerged. Pollutions made Montana lost billions of dollars annually in that the condition of the land is so used up by the toxins and human wastes. Forest management then came up as another serious issue that needs immense improvement. Since the climate change phenomenon in our environment, one other list of the ecocide, depends generally on the plants that recycles the atmosphere and keeping the system running, the weather in Montana has changed from cold and humid to warm and dry, which bad news to the agricultural business in the particular areas like Montana. Despite this is an example happened back a few years ago, many other areas in the world are encountering the same harsh condition of either weather or the pollution in general. For instance, China need to figure out a way to manage the resource recycling since in the future, they will no doubt be one of the biggest countries that is responsible for massive use of environmental resource.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
weekly response 12
It is very clear that humans have had many negative effects on the natural environment, and therefore have contributed to the decline of many societies in the past. Diamond discusses that many factors have become reasons as to why so many societies in the past have failed, but after reading this book, I find deforestation to be one of the biggest contributors to the problem at hand. (Diamond feels this to be one of the major problems as well.) I feel that this is the only aspect of destruction I can most understand and see the effects of most directly. When you drive through most areas these days, we are overwhelmed with the many shopping malls, and houses that seem to be popping up on every inch of land possible. It’s this aspect alone that is causing so many problems in our natural environment. Even though malls and homes are very pleasurable and even necessary, it’s the creation of them that destructs even more valuable resources.
Diamond states that just the cutting down of trees is destroying many natural habitats. Forests provide us with many valuable resources, such as timber and other raw materials, and by cutting down all the trees, we are directly hurting ourselves. Forests are also responsible for many other aspects, like protecting our watersheds, and preventing soil erosion. Forests are also a valued aspect of our environment seeing as how they help the air we breath, become filtered, removing carbon monoxide and other pollutants. Deforestation is also causing more desertification, also creating the potential for more landslides, erosion and the admission of sediments into our streams to occur. It is also responsible for crucial steps in the water cycle, as well as provides a habitat for many plant and animal species. By clearing out forests we are leaving vast areas of land infertile.
By eliminating our forests, we are destroying many other aspects of the environment as well, and may cause other plant and animal species to become extinct as well, forcing them out of their “homelands” and giving them no other alternatives. We forget how valuable our forests really are, and take for granted all the items made from timber, the main natural resource being destroyed. Another main example of how deforestation is affecting us currently is the idea of global warming, due to the fact that we are decreasing the “carbon sink”. It is clear to see that one thing leads to another in this situation, and if we continue to destroy forests like societies in the past, we are just going to hurt ourselves even more, and most likely contribute to the downfall of our own present society.
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Diamond states that just the cutting down of trees is destroying many natural habitats. Forests provide us with many valuable resources, such as timber and other raw materials, and by cutting down all the trees, we are directly hurting ourselves. Forests are also responsible for many other aspects, like protecting our watersheds, and preventing soil erosion. Forests are also a valued aspect of our environment seeing as how they help the air we breath, become filtered, removing carbon monoxide and other pollutants. Deforestation is also causing more desertification, also creating the potential for more landslides, erosion and the admission of sediments into our streams to occur. It is also responsible for crucial steps in the water cycle, as well as provides a habitat for many plant and animal species. By clearing out forests we are leaving vast areas of land infertile.
By eliminating our forests, we are destroying many other aspects of the environment as well, and may cause other plant and animal species to become extinct as well, forcing them out of their “homelands” and giving them no other alternatives. We forget how valuable our forests really are, and take for granted all the items made from timber, the main natural resource being destroyed. Another main example of how deforestation is affecting us currently is the idea of global warming, due to the fact that we are decreasing the “carbon sink”. It is clear to see that one thing leads to another in this situation, and if we continue to destroy forests like societies in the past, we are just going to hurt ourselves even more, and most likely contribute to the downfall of our own present society.
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Weekly Response 12: ECOCIDE
Of the eight forms of ECOcide that Diamond talks about across examples of past failed societies, choose one to discuss in depth. Bring up as many specific examples of it both in the book as well as contemporary examples you see happening. One paragraph is acceptable as long as you're concise and coherent.
Good luck getting everything else done!
-R
Good luck getting everything else done!
-R
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sarah Pearson Prompt 11
Sarah Pearson
Writing prompt 11
One of the most challenging decisions I had to make was weather to transfer schools from Chicago back to Ann Arbor. This was particularly difficult because I loved the city of Chicago, but the Art school in Michigan had more to offer. If I would’ve stayed in Chicago to study art, I would not have had the opportunity to take other classes such as language courses, or science.
Diamond discusses the issues of Montanan society and how past societies were in a similar situation. One challenge specifically is the growth of population. Not only can population can affect a society, but the environment as well. In chapter 13 “Australia” it also discusses similar issues of population control which begins to touch on immigration as well. “The best estimate of a population sustainable at the present standard of living is 8 million people, less than half of the present population.” (398) Even though Australia is over populated, it is nothing compared to the United States. This is because Australia has a limited supply of water, and their food production is horrible. Also, there are many problems with forestry and fisheries as well which used to bring in a lot of money for Australia, but now is not contributing to the state of its economy. There are many similarities with Montana and Australia when it comes to natural resources. Montana has issues with loss of nutrients in its soil, overgrazing, and logging. The problem is, these issues have been going on for so long, they cannot really be reversed. There are ways to reverse the loss of nutrients in soil but it would cost a lot of money, and the outcome would not be worth the time and expenses. I feel as though the government it slightly to blame for all of the problems regarding the land, production, and mining. If issues were taken seriously from when they first started, then something could have been done to help prevent or slow down the process.
Levester Williams
Reed Esslinger-Payet
ADP 250:Technology and Environment
Having both talent and strong interests in fine art and electrical engineering, I had to decide which major I would pursue. Since I was raised on a very limited income from my grandmother, I had the aspiration to find a job that will lead me to a financial stable career. Also, since my fortes in school, besides art, were mathematical and science courses, I wanted to pursue engineering—specifically electrical engineering since their starting salaries are generally higher than the other engineers. However, I creating artwork since it allowed me to express myself and free myself from the worries from home and school.
To decide to major in fine art frightened me at first since I was deciding not to choose a career that was financially stable and has a high salary. Moreover, choosing art, according to my family, seemed a waste of intellect. Also, I wanted to be able to support my future family. However, I choose art because I knew I am capable of helping my community out, whether it is on a local or global scale. Instead of being selfish to a certain extent—I could still help my community out by being in engineer—I sacrificed a stable career to pursue a path of community involvement. Eventually, I was ignorant that artists could be successful and that art is not constrained to such painting and drawing yet it is ubiquitous. If I had chosen to become an engineer, I would have ended up not enjoying my career as much since I am only doing it to ameliorate my lifestyle and the immediate people around me.
Montana, however, failed to make the correct choice when the government did not admonish nor delegated the mining corporate owners to “bear financial responsibility” (Diamond 36) for disposing of the waste from the mine. Now, toxic metals are leaking into the environment without anyone taking responsibility (Diamond 36). This habitat destruction is one of the eight categories that Diamond refers to as being ecocide—“environmental suicide”—that precipitated the collapse of past societies (Diamond 6). The past societies that could be compared to the decline of Montana’s environment are the Pitcarin and Henderson Islands.
Montana has a small population (Diamond 30), compared to the rest of the states, and its economy cannot support the lifestyle of its inhabitants; thus, Montana is interdependent to rest of the United States (Diamond 74). Similarly, due to the limited opportunities—such as limited natural resources and hospitable living condition—on both the Pitcarin and Henderson Islands (Diamond 123-124), these islands were interdependent to Mangareva that was capable of supporting a large opportunities (Diamond 122). Unfortunately, since Mangareva committed ecocide by deforestation of trees that effaced all the trees used for the manufacturer of canoes, trades stop among the islands. Therefore, the other islands could not receive the needed resources, so their population was extirpated (Diamond 132).
Since Montana’s main industries and agriculture are declining (Diamond 34), it unlikely will be capable of supporting itself if assistance from the rest of the other states ceased. However, the inhabitants of Montana could become more self-sufficient if the citizens of Montana begin to place pressure of the corporations as Diamond mentioned (Diamond 35). This will cause the companies to take responsibilities for how they interact with the environment. They will be more cognizant and precarious of how the handle the environment since the citizens would strive for a common goal of saving the environment. However, the care of the environment must be instilled in the citizens.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Reed Esslinger-Payet
ADP 250:Technology and Environment
Having both talent and strong interests in fine art and electrical engineering, I had to decide which major I would pursue. Since I was raised on a very limited income from my grandmother, I had the aspiration to find a job that will lead me to a financial stable career. Also, since my fortes in school, besides art, were mathematical and science courses, I wanted to pursue engineering—specifically electrical engineering since their starting salaries are generally higher than the other engineers. However, I creating artwork since it allowed me to express myself and free myself from the worries from home and school.
To decide to major in fine art frightened me at first since I was deciding not to choose a career that was financially stable and has a high salary. Moreover, choosing art, according to my family, seemed a waste of intellect. Also, I wanted to be able to support my future family. However, I choose art because I knew I am capable of helping my community out, whether it is on a local or global scale. Instead of being selfish to a certain extent—I could still help my community out by being in engineer—I sacrificed a stable career to pursue a path of community involvement. Eventually, I was ignorant that artists could be successful and that art is not constrained to such painting and drawing yet it is ubiquitous. If I had chosen to become an engineer, I would have ended up not enjoying my career as much since I am only doing it to ameliorate my lifestyle and the immediate people around me.
Montana, however, failed to make the correct choice when the government did not admonish nor delegated the mining corporate owners to “bear financial responsibility” (Diamond 36) for disposing of the waste from the mine. Now, toxic metals are leaking into the environment without anyone taking responsibility (Diamond 36). This habitat destruction is one of the eight categories that Diamond refers to as being ecocide—“environmental suicide”—that precipitated the collapse of past societies (Diamond 6). The past societies that could be compared to the decline of Montana’s environment are the Pitcarin and Henderson Islands.
Montana has a small population (Diamond 30), compared to the rest of the states, and its economy cannot support the lifestyle of its inhabitants; thus, Montana is interdependent to rest of the United States (Diamond 74). Similarly, due to the limited opportunities—such as limited natural resources and hospitable living condition—on both the Pitcarin and Henderson Islands (Diamond 123-124), these islands were interdependent to Mangareva that was capable of supporting a large opportunities (Diamond 122). Unfortunately, since Mangareva committed ecocide by deforestation of trees that effaced all the trees used for the manufacturer of canoes, trades stop among the islands. Therefore, the other islands could not receive the needed resources, so their population was extirpated (Diamond 132).
Since Montana’s main industries and agriculture are declining (Diamond 34), it unlikely will be capable of supporting itself if assistance from the rest of the other states ceased. However, the inhabitants of Montana could become more self-sufficient if the citizens of Montana begin to place pressure of the corporations as Diamond mentioned (Diamond 35). This will cause the companies to take responsibilities for how they interact with the environment. They will be more cognizant and precarious of how the handle the environment since the citizens would strive for a common goal of saving the environment. However, the care of the environment must be instilled in the citizens.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
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