Blog Questions: Lauren, Maddie, Kyle, and Alison

1.) When defining "value" it seems important to distinguish the difference between the value the coal companies are addressing and the value of the natural world. The coal companies are valuing things like money and economic gain. The value associated with the natural world seems to be held within the actual worth of the land. The worth of the land is not limited to economic values, but carries through from the plants, animals, and the human beings living around it. Nature's value surpasses monetary issues, nature hold a significant amount of sentimental/spiritual value as well. On the issue presented on pg. 100, Reece seems to be making a comment on the fact that humans are unable to think in terms of the future. We need to be able to live now, and be able to understand that what we do now effects the people of the future.

2.) Reece alternates between factual information and real people accounts in order to keep the reader interested. There is not a long succession of fact followed by several interviews, he mixes it up. "At one of the town meetings, the EPA told people that there was nothing in the slurry that wasn't on the periodic table." (pg. 133) This example stuck out to our group because although this statement is true, it terrible undercuts the credibility of the EPA. Of course these elements are on the periodic table, but sprinkling plutonium on your cupcake does not make for a wonderful day. Accounts like this as well as Reece's month-by-month visits to Lost Mountain help to support the pressing nature of the events being discussed.

3.) Awareness is the first step to a solution. By Reece writing this book, more and more people are becoming aware of this particular problem. Some people were never aware of issues such as mountain top removal and thus, not able to do anything about it. Things as simple as not buying bottled water, and turning of the lights when you leave a room can help to lessen the demand of coal powered energy. Reece is making a comment to his readers that all of the little things add up, he is trying to win a lot of little battles because trying to win one big battle may prove to be fruitless.

4.) As stated before Reece alternates between factual information and real person interviews to keep the interest of the reader. Also, the tone he uses when writing helps to take him more seriously, the reader knows he is a real person and not just a person on a soapbox. Our group agrees that we appreciate the fact that Reece is out getting his hands dirty, he is in the thick of it. Any person can sit around and say "That's horrible" but here is a man out doing and telling about it.

5.) Reece is again showing his reader that although the coal mining industry is destructive, that they are simply supplying our demand. We feel that Reece would agree with Olson's statement, that he is again presenting multiple views of this situation in order to gain credibility. We should not feel bad, that wastes time. Instead Reece urges us to do something about this issue. He uses the example of other alternative energies, such as wind power, that are not being harnessed.