The Quiet Crisis, Stewart L. Udall, science, Roosevelt, environmental issues, natural resources, wildlife, massive production
'The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something' (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932). This quotation highlights this time's way of thinking that is, in a way, criticised by the author, Stewart L. Udall, in his book, The Quiet Crisis (1963). Indeed, this rush of creating and inventing something, in order to preserve resources or to produce more with the help of science without thinking in a long-term value, is dangerous to the eye of Steward L. Udall. In this scientific area, shortsightedness represents a real peril for humans and wildlife because creating a way to preserve resources without knowing the long-term consequences is irresponsible.
[...] Beyond this, the misuse of science or the greed of scientists and industries caused more problems such as the peril of human's health or the diminution of the quality of life. In the end, more than being skeptical, science must be used in an intelligent way with the consideration of the impacts whether they are positive or not. We have to bear in mind that this article dates back to the 1960's when it was a time for skepticism towards the progresses of science. [...]
[...] Ultimately, is science the key to a kingdom of conservation? Thus, if the conservation effort started before the two World Wars under Theodore Roosevelt's time and the Roosevelt's New Deal, wars were still an important factor of development in terms of conservation although it allowed scientists to be promoted in this new period but their triumph led to a certain skepticism because of the eruption of environmental problems (III). (If you saw more examples in your class, don't hesitate to put it in your introduction. [...]
[...] See this article to know more about propaganda linked to resource conservation: http://www.gettysburgcollegeprojects.org/hist301-wwIIposters/?page_id=97 Transition: This needs to find solution to resource preservation led the scientists to become vital in this new age. II - The scientists' age A new way for resource preservation: you can talk about the many discoveries scientists made during this period (right after the World War II) in various areas (chemistry, physics . ) Science and society: These discoveries had a direct impact on society especially through agriculture (pesticides) or in others industries. Example: new techniques in tree-farming (cf. Pinchot and the United States Forest Service). [...]
[...] A general optimism: You can talk about the way science is seen, in a positive way. How science was supposed to help in many areas of activity (mention maybe the logical positivism with A. Comte in France). Transition: This optimism led quickly to criticism regarding the environmental problems caused by the science discoveries. III - Criticism and scepticism A triumph of science: at what cost? the penultimate part of the text is interesting. It underlined the discoveries and their twins in terms of consequences (bad, often). [...]
[...] Science cannot be the only key, as we described the previous problems it brought. Science needs to be managed wisely and thought in a good way. (think about the long-term values & gains This last part is forecasting a lot. You can approach different sights you want through an example of your choice (impacts of pesticides on agriculture and in long term in our food, our health / impacts of synthetics in cosmetics, chemistry in general . [...]
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