Reaction to Chapter 25 of the Ecology of Eden

 A blog on an assigned class reading 


The discussion of Biotechnology and Genetic engineering the modular approach of modern society made apparent and keystone role of scientists. In discussing this view of extra-humans and the role of scientists, I was reminded of the TV series Snowpiercer. Snowpiercer takes place in the future on a train that holds the ruminates of the globe. This train is necessary to survival because in an effort to halt climate change scientists froze the Earth. Unfortunately, this fictious future is not unimaginable.


            The problem is that the extra-human systems are more complicated than we understand. Humans have a history or trying solutions before we know the side effects. The other issue is that that humans tend to be reactive, creating solutions to ecological problems, rather than having an awareness and being proactively intentional in our actions.


            Like the Biotechnology in Snowpiercer ,the biotechnology of today still has many unknowns because molecules and the tinniest extra-humans continue to baffle us. Snowpiercer is a cautionary tale warning against an arrogant and impulsive use of technology to change the extra-humans, As humans we rely too much on the systems of extra-humans to risk harming them.


            Snowpiercer and the chapter also makes the point that we have placed our faith in scientist rather religion, no longer trusting anything that is not completely tangible. Human folly comes when we believe that we as humans are superior to faith and ecology.



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