Blog 5: Population Bomb

Paul Ehrlich’s, The Population Bomb, is a clean warning of the potential (and probable) apocalypic crisis that is over-population. He argues that there “[is] no emergency greater than the exponetial increase in human numbers” (434). Through a detailed metaphor, a personal story, and surprising numbers, Ehrlich helps readers look into the future and see the overpopulation apocalypse.

The Population Bomb is clearly directed twoards Americans, who don’t normally have to deal with extreme overpopulation unless, in Ehrlich’s case, they visit another country. “Americans are beginning to realize that undeveloped countries of the world face an inevitable population food crisis” (435). Ehrich, a Stanford faculty memeber and 20 time guest on The Tonight show is worried. And if he is worried, shouldn’t we? Ehrlich makes his case that he “understood” the issue of overpopulation but never “felt” it until a taxi ride on an overcrowded India street. He makes it clear that it isn’t something fully understood until experienced.

Ehlrich then brings up the comparison between population growth and food growth. He describes the speed at which our population is changing; jumping from 500 million in about 1650 A.D. to about 2 billion in 1930. Compare that to the 6.8 billion we see in 2012. Gerrard elaborates on this when he quotes from Thomas Malthus’ Essay on the Principle of Population: “Taking the population of the world at any number, a thousand millions, for instance, the human species would increase at a ratio of – 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, etc. and subsistence as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.” (Gerrard 94) Gerrard and Ehlrich, in a serious tone, are making the clear case the the people are growing faster than the food.

Ehlrich gets creative comparing this to our population “being housed in a continuous 2,000 story building covering the entire planet” (436) This leave only “three or four yards of floor space per person” (436). I think this is a very effective metaphor. I agree with the fact that most people don’t really ‘feel’ overpopulation here in American. We can learn about it all we want, but it isn’t until one experiences it that we truly understand. With that said, I feel that this metaphor is a great example that can help people better understand. Imagine a building Ehlrich describes: “The upper 1,000 stories would contain only the apparatus for running this gigantic warren. Ducts, pipes, wires, elevator shafts, etc., would occupy about half of the space in the bottom 1,000 stories” (436). That is a massive building, but we are only limited to a few yards per person? I’m not even claustrophobic, but the thought of being in that building gives me the sweats. I think it was a very effective metaphor.

Works Cited
“American Earth: Environmental Writing since Thoreau.” Paul R. Ehrlich. New York: Literary Classics of the United States, 2008. Print.
Garrard, Greg. “Apocalypse.” Ecocriticism. London: Routledge, 2004. Print.

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Blog #5 Instructions

Rachel Carson in 1940; Official Photo as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Employee. Image via Wikipedia

For your fifth blog response, please respond to one of the following prompts:

1. In his chapter “Apocalypse,” Greg Garrard writes that “the precise function of Carson’s apocalyptic rhetoric” in Silent Spring “is a matter of debate” (Ecocriticism 95). For your 5th blog response, enter this debate as a reader of Silent Spring. In what ways does Carson employ the trope of apocalypse? Do you agree with Buell that her book “offers little hope that catastrophe may be averted,” or, like Killingsworth and Palmer, do you argue that “‘the conflicting narratives of apocalyptic doom and millennial hope strive for dominance in Silent Spring‘” (95)? Use a close reading of Carson’s text to support your answer.
2. In his chapter “Apocalypse,” Greg Garrard gives a brief rhetorical analysis of Paul Ehrlich‘s The Population Bomb on page 99. In your response, give a more detailed rhetorical analysis of the passage of Ehrich’s text you’ve been assigned for class. What is Ehrich’s main argument, and how does he use pathos, logos, and/or ethos to convince the reader of his argument? What other strategies does he use to appeal to his audience (the general public)? Do you agree with Garrard’s assessment, and why or why not?
3. Write a rhetorical analysis of Rachel Carson‘s Silent Spring. What is Carson’s purpose in writing this book and what are her main arguments? What strategies does she use to appeal to her audience (the general public)? How does Carson use the rhetorical triangle (logos, pathos, and/or ethos) to convince the reader of her position? How/where does Carson anticipate and rebut counter-arguments?
4. In his chapter, “Apocalypse,” Greg Garrard notes that the apocalypse trope has been a successful rhetorical strategy for the green movement, but also discusses some of the problems and risks associated with its use. In your response, make an argument regarding the use of apocalyptic rhetoric among environmentalists today. Do you think that it should be used freely, strategically, in limited amounts, or not used at all? Why? In your response, give specific examples of contemporary environmental apocalyptic rhetoric to support your answer.
5. Find a contemporary newspaper or magazine article that illustrates how the apocalypse trope functions in relation to environmental issues today. In your response, explain the connection between the article and the readings, making sure to quote from each to showcase the connection. Besides giving a BRIEF summary of the article and thoroughly explaining the connection to the readings, be sure to also address the significance of the connection. You are also required to include a link to the article in your post.

Remember, your posts should follow these requirements and guidelines:

• Posts must be at least 300 words.
• Posts must include at least one quote from the text.
• Stay focused on answering the prompt question above. Avoid repeating the question and be as specific as possible in your answer.
• Your response should make an argument, not summarize the text. If some summary is asked for in the prompt you chose, keep that summary brief and concise.
• Use specific moments from the text(s) to support and illustrate your argument.
• Be sure to introduce, quote, cite, and comment on all quotes.
• Don’t forget to tag your posts! Before adding a new tag, check the “choose from the most used tabs” menu to make sure it is not already listed.
• Don’t forget your Works Cited!

Your blog response is due by class time on Monday, February 27.

Blog comments are due by class time on Wednesday, February 29.

 

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