We began by discussing the preface, which dealt with Kolbert's experience at the Hotel Arctic, overlooking the flow of icebergs just off the coast of Greenland. To the average American tourist, this sight is incredible. To the European or scientist, this is a scary sight. The Jakobshavn Isbræ is moving at incredible speeds. One of the many illustrations of how global climate change is affecting the environment.
From the beginning passage, the reader understands that the book has a purpose. Kolbert carefully chooses language she writes in order to set up an engaging narrative for the reader. The places and people she writes about could have been anyone from anywhere, regardless the story remains the same: we are on the brink of a turning point in human history where we are beginning to see noticeable changes. All of these different places are just snapshots of the entire story. The idea is alluded to that though humanity can easily cross the threshold, crossing back is nearly impossible. There is a parallel to be drawn to our class as well. We are going for a journey with the scientists and other people around campus to piece together the story at Eau Claire.
Kolbert’s work is compared to that of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. The two have many similarities, in that both were featured in the New Yorker, to the prose style. Both authors have the ability to write eloquently, yet incorporate research into their prose. Kolbert's book has the potential to influence society in many of the same ways as Silent Spring.
Much of our discussion concentrated on the tiny Inuit village of Shishmaref, Alaska.
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Other areas of discussion included
-interconnectedness between CO2 levels, temperatures, weather, and climate
-idea of giving science a narrative
-dialectical relationship between man and nature
Great job on the first "class log," Robyn; you added some great links to the ones I passed on to you. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI've just changed the links for "Field Notes" and "Silent Spring"; I think everyone will find these interesting. Check them out!