Environmental Literature

Book Review # 102468

English > Analysis
Environmental Studies
Literature > Comparative Literature

This paper compares the writings of Neil Evernden in "The Natural Alien" and William Leiss in "Under Technology's Thumb".

1,925 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Neil Evernden in "The Natural Alien" impressively sweeps over the course of human history and the evolution of human thought demonstrating that reality consists in what one sees, and that one only sees what is important to one. The author points out that Evernden seems to be so obsessed with the "how" of how we talk about the environment that he seems to lose sight of the real issue. The paper then relates that William Leiss's chief focus in "Under Technology's Thumb" is to urge humankind to move away from domination of the earth and instead to move towards caring and respect for the earth. The author stresses that the sheer scholarship of both books is impressive. The paper concludes that neither writer had anything concrete or useful to say about the key issue that faces us today: sustainability.

From the Paper:

"Indeed, if we could bring the social and other effects of our technologies into line with the fundamental value of sustainability, then we might have a hope of surviving to the next millennium and beyond. However, when we come to examine what practical help Leiss offers us with this ambition, he too falls short. True, he offers us his interesting and well-argued philosophy of "caring," and a compelling argument, in this context, against consumerism. It may well be true, as Leiss argues, that most people derive more satisfaction from caring for others than from consumerism."