Group Discussion Questions on Lost Mountain, p. 86-162. Groups of three to four, but not more than four. Discuss these questions and compose some notes on each. Post these in the main course blog with the names of all in the group.
1) Reece educates us readers on the declining numbers of some ‘indicator species” in central Appalachia due to forest fragmentation (mainly the Cerulean Warbler and the Flying Squirrel). Reece contrasts two “economies,” that of the forest (nature relatively unmolested) and the economy of coal. Consider the concept of “value” in the destruction Reece writes about and discuss what is at stake and why we should/should not care. On p. 100, Reece writes that preserving species diversity “holds the secret to the perpetuation of human life.” What does he mean by this? Put this in the mix.
2) Discuss Reece’s strategy (so far in our reading) of alternating chapters of his month by month visits to Lost Mountain with chapters focused on specific issues, events (such as the Martin County, KY sludge flood), politics, victims and activists, and so on. Use an example to make some points about how this affects you as readers.
3) Reece writes that most people living in Louisville don’t know about how the cost of clean tap water in their city connects with the loss of eastern forests and the consumption of coal (109). Reece wants to educate readers about it. What does he assume about the possible effects of becoming knowledgeable about all these connections, the destruction, and so on? Do you think that what you have learned from the book so far (or already knew) affects your beliefs, values, and actions? If yes, explain how; if not explain why.
4) Reece’s writing has some notable characteristics. Identify some characteristics you might want to emulate and imitate. Indicate why. Name some you might not want to emulate and imitate and explain why.
5) In “The Ecovillage” chapter, p. 156-62, Reece quotes Berea college ecologist, Richard Olson: “Who is destroying the mountains of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia? . . . It isn’t the coal companies. It’s us” (161). Discuss his point. What might Reece think of that, given how much of Lost Mountain is an expose and indictment of the coal corporations? Is this an either/or distinction? Or both/and? Discuss Olson’s next point: “Okay, forget the guilt. How can we change that?”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1)Reese contrasts the economy of nature and our human economy. He says that natures economy is circular because it constantly uses resources with out creating waste. Nature has a self-sustaining economy white our human economy is linear. We create waste and use finite resources in hopes of having infinite growth. It's twisted logic that we can continue like this forever. The human race is at stake if we continue to destroy land and resources that cannot be salvaged.
ReplyDelete2.Reece's strategy is to alternate chapters with different experiences and focuses to encapsulate everything he researched and experienced n an understandable way. He also does this to capture different audiences with different focuses. Some people are passionate about different things, like the welfare of the poor or the destruction of ecological systems. This affects us as readers because it causes us to appreciate and be aware of every aspect of the issue at hand.
3. It's unfortunate that most people in Louisville don't know why their horrendous living conditions are that way. The first step in becoming active and involved is becoming aware and educated. If the world becomes aware of the situation then maybe the people in Eastern Kentucky can also learn the reasons why. The things that our group has learned from this book have caused us to become more conscious of our actions, like how much electricity we are using. As far as our beliefs, we all agree that we think its wrong that corporations get away with this while the rich get richer and the poorer get poorer. We believe every human life has value regardless of social status.
4. The most noticeable writing characteristic of Reece is that he writes in a comfortable way. He has a casual writing style that's easy to read and easy to understand. He also backs his arguments with facts and experiences. He also uses these facts and experiences to evoke emotions in his audience.
5. This quote is saying that we as consumers are responsible for the destruction of the mountains of eastern Kentucky and West Virgina. We are the ones who are dependent on the use of coal as an energy source. We don't do anything to stop what they do, we support their business because as a society we are dependent on it. We can change it by using other resources. Becoming active in supporting renewable energy sources and making others aware of the current conditions that exist.
Jenci Randall
Jordan Penn
Krystina Fox
Mike Mohn