First Response  Empty Oceans: The End of Free Range Fish?

I chose to read this article because, as a history teacher I am very interested in the cumulative effects of human interaction with the environment. I found this particular piece more disquieting than most. Throughout history it has been the unfortunate record of human stewardship that we exhaust to the point of extinction the inexhaustable. Passenger pigeons, American Bison, Dodo Birds, Sperm Whales; all have fallen to our greed. But throughout all of this rapacious excess there has always been the thought that we could rely on the true breadbasket of the world, the oceans, to continue to feed our ever increasing numbers. Now, in this story, the real TRUTH is brought home in chilling detail. Even the oceans are not resistant to our irresponsible actions.

Science fiction writers have titillated their readers with horror stories of how the world will end in nuclear holocaust, alien invasion, or biological infestation. Perhaps the real conclusion of the human race is something far less romantic, but more horrific just the same-starvation and pollution.

Ive tried in this response to use erudite language that is deemed appropriate for a masters level article. However, I know realize that the vernacular use of the English language may be more appropriate. I think it was properly said by the poet; Go not gently into that great good night, but rage, rage against the dying of the light!

We, as teachers, may be the last line of defense. If we can teach our students to appreciate what we have been given; what we are responsible for, then perhaps it isnt too late. There is a book, Ismael, in which a fictional super-intelligent ape says that humanitys problem is that we have a tendency to try and take responsibility for operations that can only be handled by God. In this article, in an effort to try and give a ray of hope, I think the author is obliquely advocating this approach. And, just as Ismael says, this is the belief system that has gotten us into this fix in the first place. Mankind cannot assume that we can replace Nature as rulers of this world. Fish farming is not the answer to wiping out the natural fishing banks.

When I was in grade school, my mother gave me a book to read. It was called Lost Horizons. I can still remember the primary teaching of the religious leaders of that place, Moderation in everything. If we forget this, we will continue to write checks with our egos that our intelligence cant cash!

-- Anonymous, November 12, 1998

Answers

Response to UTNE Reader Article 1

In order to effectively respond to your description I found it necessary to skim through the article. I agree with the fundamental aspects that human greed and corporate corruption are the key elements that our stripping our ocean waters of natural resources. It seems that we as humankind forget what natural elements make us whole. In retrospect we find economics the pendulum that must swing in the upward motion of "profits!" I truly found myself encapsulated by the following statement, "If you want to fathom this sea change, you need to take off your rubber boots and oilskins and trade in your skiff for a shuttle flight to Washington, D.C., where the Worldwatch Institute has its headquarters" (McKibben, 65). Ironically, fighting for a change does not involve our ocean waters but rather our political and economic machines....I wonder how Jesse Ventura would react to this, sigh... Thanks for the thoughts, Catherine.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 1998

Response to UTNE Reader Article 1

John, I too, find it hard to chose the correct vernacular to use while a part of the Masters Cohort. To me, it is best to use "lingo" that is understandable, yet also sounds educated. I think that there are always going to be some that try to sound more educated that we yet are...anyway, I will do my best! :) The article we chose to read was quite scary! I have always felt that the ocean and the farms are endless in their supply of nutrition for the Earth's people. However, as in everything, there are always those that become greedy and, in turn, put a "kink" in the circular system. Have you read the book The Hatchet by Gary Paulsen? Either way, the main character was only able to survive his stay in the wilderness because of the supply of fish he consumed from a lake that was nearby his crash site. Now this was only one person, but image the impact of an end in the fishing industry it would have had on his life! He wouldn't have been able to survive! If we look at it globally, it would have the same sort of effect...scary...See you on Wednesday! Cindy :)

-- Anonymous, November 16, 1998

John, there is nothing quite like investing the time to read an article you know will be disturbing to your existence! As the author conveyed in the article, it9s difficult for humans to understand the consequences of their actions when we aren9t impacted by them. We will continually repeat behaviors until the results inconvenience us in some fashion. Human greed certainly isn9t unusual. We hear about children being injured while adults stampede through the store to buy the latest toy craze. Over the weekend, a friend and I were discussing the articles she had read on the Internet regarding the year 2000. The advice being given is to begin storing supplies, etc. in the event the precautions various companies have been implementing are ineffective on Jan. 1, 2000. If the article contains correct information on human behavior, will we see a shortage of available supplies as the clock ticks toward January 1, 2000?

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1998

John, good response to the article on empty oceans.I can understand your concern and alarm. However, this being Graduate School where you are practicing and experiencing a different way of thinking..... Try to move beyond an alarmist, reactionary and descriptive response, and move into a more analytical and synethesis style of responding. For example, so what if humans are depleting the oceans of fish, for are they not also creatures of the planet? Why do you assume they are a separate species that somehow needs to act any more rationally than any other creature? What are your criteria?

The Chinese symbol for crisis is danger and opportunity.Does the emptying of the oceans create alarmist solutions that are restrictive in our thinking; such as a move to reduce fishing in the oceans. Do these solutions effect the richer nations, and, therefore, are classist and racist? Or does the ocean fishing present humans with an opportunity to create other sources of protein, etc. Graduate school is about moving beyond description and reaction, and on to analysis from different points of view and concluding with synthesis of what you have assimilated. Keep using your excellent thinking processes and challenge yourself even more to consider different options and opportunities.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 1999