The Pacific Northwest

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses the book "The Organic Machine: The Remaking of the Columbia River" by Richard White, a book that provides a new 'organic' model for environmental history. The paper further discusses the history of the environmental movement in the area, as well as, factors such as technology, that influence the environmental movement today.

Outline:
Part I - What is the Organic Machine as Described by Richard White
Part II - Environmental Movement Since 1970

From the Paper:

"White suggests that mankind has manipulated nature to meet his own needs, stating "we treated science as if it were literally a machine that can be disassembled and redesigned largely at will" (White, 111). Further White suggests that the organic machine man has created consists of "various parts" that "can be assigned different functions" (White, 111). The Columbia River is not longer views as a whole, but rather as parts of a larger machine whose purpose includes serving the needs of many. The organic machine has been conquered and divided to fulfill the desires of mankind, with humans now capable of controlling every aspect of the rivers functioning. This fits in line with the new model of the environment, suggesting that society will only attempt to control every aspect of the environment to suite his own needs. Many will develop what they need to and split any environmental natural resources to match our wants and perceived desires."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dvorak, K. (2002). "The Organic Machine." Environmental Science. Available: http://scidiv.bcc.ctc.edu/rv/es204/reviews/kd.html
• Merchant, C. (2006). Major problems in American Environmental History - Chapter 15.Available: http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/departments/espm/env-hist/studyguide/pt01con.htm
• White, Richard. (1995). The organic machine: The remaking of the Columbia River. New York: Hill and Wang.

More papers on The Pacific Northwest:

• Essay # 56125 : "The Pacific Northwest and Its Resources"
• Persuasive Essay # 102368 : "Child Welfare among the Pacific Northwest Indians"
• Essay # 55873 : "The Pacific Northwest During and After the Great Depression"
• Essay # 55756 : "The Pacific Northwest"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: