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Awaken Occult occult
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Awaken Occult occult Information
Human beings. We are an exclusive species. Humans are able to
achieve abstract thought, while most of the creatures in the animal kingdon have
an attention span of only minutes. We are able to extract the purest elements
from the most barren lands. We are also able to destroy the fragile biodiversity
that has taken the earth millions of years to create. Should humankind, however,
be punished for pushing so many different species into extinction by becoming
extinct itself?
In Thomas Palmer's essay, "The Case For Human Beings",
Palmer explores the topics of human accomplishment, the diversity of humankind,
and the havoc that said diversity has caused on the environment. Using irony and
sarcasm, with the occasional clever analogy, he burdens the reader with his
cynical outlook on humankind in regards to its brutish treatment of the earth's
delicate ecosystem. In one paragraph, Palmer states, "The only way to...restore
biodiversity to its greatest possible richness, would be to arrange for every
human being on earth to drop dead tomorrow" (323-24). Palmer's combative
literary form, however, is not entirely lacking its own beauty and grace. When
he uses human acheivements such as a Bach chorale, man's first journey to the
moon, and three-masted schooners, he is bringing glory back to humankind.
Although he explains the splendor of the Bach chorale, he still states, "Human
consciousness...cannot, in this view, contribute to biodiversity, except by
staying as far out of the picture as possible, so as to avoid tainting
still-intact landscapes with unnatural influences" (324). No Bach chorale, no
three-masted schooner, no Apollo landing, Palmer reveals, contributes to the
ecosystem.
Palmer isn't a misanthrope. He isn't out for the destruction of
the human species. His writing strategies, such as comparisons, distortion of
the opposition, and smokescreening the obvious issue at hand, which is the
destruction of the ecosystem, indeed tell the reader of his belief in his
writing. Palmer writes this to Everyman--an average person of average
intelligence with only an average curiosity about the destruction of the
species. This essay could also be given to a staunch environmentalist, and the
essay could make that "treehugger" so angry s/he would have to read on. Palmer
knows what he is doing. His capability for writing for all audiences is
impressive, if not admirable. Palmer makes us look at what we are doing to the
environment, and shows us the truth: in a few hundred years, if we keep
carelessly plundering this earth, we might not have a world to heal.
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