Group Discussion Questions, LM, part 2

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 exposes and indicts 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?”