Silent Spring by Rachel Carson is an environmental science book published in 1962, September 27th. The book discusses the harmful effects resulting from the indiscriminate use of pesticides on the environment. The main argument in Silent Spring is that the use of DDT to control insects resulted in damage to the fragile balance of nature. According to Rachel, the aerial spraying of DDT is an attempt to control insect populations on a large scale. Additionally, the book explains how the excellent relationship that human beings have with nature can result in the growth of deep ecology. The book argues that the best method for minimizing environmental degradation is the avoidance of the arrogant quest for easy solutions informed by the careless spray of insecticides. People must let go of the belief that nature only serves the interests of human beings.
“Consider the Lobster” by David Foster Wallace
David Foster Wallace, an American novelist, essayist, and English professor, talks about the rights of creatures within the environment in his article dubbed “Consider the Lobster.” The article by Wallace discusses the 56th annual Maine Lobster Festival. According to the article, Wallace claims that during the MLF event, a total of 25,000 lobsters are caught and taken through cooking competitions, which draw close to 100,000 visitors from across the country. David Foster Wallace argues that during the MLF, lobsters often go through a lot of pain since they are boiled alive so that people can watch them suffer while dying. The organizer of the events uses this technique to attract people to attend the event, thereby making a lot of profit. However, Wallace believes that such marketing strategies, as well as tactics to attract customers, are not worth the life of the lobster. In the article, Wallace is interested in providing information that is thought-provoking, thereby allowing the reader to come up with a conclusion concerning the rights of the lobsters as well as other creatures living on the planet Earth. For example, Wallace questions the promotional material about the lobster that was provided by the MLF, which claims that the nervous system of the creature is decentralized, simple and lacks the structure to resist pain. Wallace rejected the explanation, pointing out that the Lobsters have nociceptors, which are pain receptors, making the creature susceptible to harm and suffering when subjected to extreme temperatures such as boiling water (Carson, R., 1962).
Consequently, Wallace argues that the struggling, thrashing, and lid-clattering that occur when lobsters are placed in boiling water are clear indications that the creatures feel extreme pain and that their deaths are agonizing. According to the article, the behavior of the lobster while in the boiling kettle, as well as its neurological structure, can be used to demonstrate the pain the creature undergoes while dying. After a close examination of the MLF, Wallace then questions the readers of his article whether it is possible to protect the act of feeding on flesh without recognizing the act’s inborn selflessness. From his article, Wallace leaves the readers of (The Magazine of Good Living) Gourmet to consider their ethical sincerity, hence reflecting on the Dichotomy between tendencies Roman circus and that of MLF’s celebratory pretense. Therefore, this enables the readers of the article to have deep reflection concerning their morals not only on the lobster but the whole creature on the earth and think about their carnivorous lifestyles as well as the rights of the animals.
The article Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace teaches people about the importance of protecting the rights of creatures living on the planet Earth, such as lobster. According to the article, all creatures play an essential role and deserve to live without being killed or fed on by people. Additionally, David Foster encourages people to avoid torturing the creatures when killing them. The article reveals that killing animals in such ways, such as putting them in boiling water, is inhuman and ungodly. Wallace argues that the animals also have a nervous system which makes them feel a lot of pain and suffering when they are placed in the boiling water while still alive. The author uses the phrase “ethical conviction” to argue that whenever people take the lives of other creatures such as lobsters, it should be done according to principles of conduct that are considered right. Additionally, the article uses the phrase “struggling, thrashing as well as lid-clattering” to try and give a picture of the painful death that the lobster is made to pass through by people.
David Foster Wallace posed the question, “Is it right to boil a sentient creature alive just for gustatory pleasure?” The question is significant to me because it evokes a lot of thinking concerning the rights of other living organisms. The question enables people to come back to their senses and stop the reckless killings as well as the violation of the rights of other creatures within the environment. Through the question, people can come back to their senses and start comparing their lives with those of other animals like Lobsters. Therefore, the question can mark the beginning of the peaceful coexistence between people and other creatures living within the environment. Thus, this can help in increasing the population of the animal, thereby minimizing the extinction. Finally, the question is also crucial because it helps to restore proper ethical morals in people and have a sense of empathy for the lives of other creatures. Thus, this can assist in ending the heartless killing of other living organisms, as witnessed at the Maine Lobster Festival (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.).
From the text, it is evident that lobsters undergo a lot of torture and painful deaths. However, every creature deserves to be protected from unnecessary death. Stern action should be taken against the individuals taking away the lives of other animals through torture and cruelty. There is a need to carry out a public campaign to educate and sensitize people on the rights of living organisms. Therefore, this can encourage people to embrace and coexist with other animals peacefully. However, a few changes have taken place since the article was published. More groups have emerged to champion the rights of creatures living in the environment. Examples of such groups include the Captive Animal Protection Society, Farm Animal Rights Movement, and Friend of Animals. I hope that in the future, the number of animals living in the environment will increase, thereby enhancing biodiversity.
The author uses plain and straightforward language, thereby making it easy to understand the information being conveyed to people. Additionally, the author uses a sad tone while writing the article to convey how lobsters suffer when being boiled alive. The physical place is captured by the number of visitors attending the festive competition taking place and the live music being played. The types of questions being asked are evaluative since they require a high level of cognitive and emotional judgment (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, n.d.).
References
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel-carson
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