A Summary OfIt Always Costs By David Suzuki Summary

A positive consequence of DDT is its effectiveness, even in the face of pesticide resistance in the anopheles mosquito. The eradication of malaria in the United States and the health of US Soldiers while fighting in World War II can be greatly credited to the use of DDT

It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity”, these are the quotes of the famous German physicist Albert Einstein in relation to how the world has become overly reliant on technology. As a result, we have taken nature for granted while also ignoring the adverse effects of technology. The making of steam engine, the usage of fossil fuel and the creation of chlorofluorocarbon are all technologies which has benefited us greatly and are continuing to do so, but like everything on this earth there are always negatives to counter the positives This is the balance that we must find between nature and humans.

"I want to tell you a story from Borneo: in the 1950s, the Dayak people had malaria, and the World Health Organization had a solution. They sprayed DDT, which killed the mosquitoes, and the malaria declined. But there were side-effects. The roofs of the houses started to fall down on people’s heads because, it seemed, the DDT had also killed tiny parasitic wasps that had previously controlled thatch-eating

In his first two paragraphs, he starts by giving some background information on his beliefs to better explain his position on the topic, by doing this he helps the reader to connect with the issue. Suzuki then focuses on the main point of his essay by stating that nothing as “problem-free technology”, considering that complication may arise in the development of technologies and that he could be referring only to technologies proven not to be beneficial to humanity, this statement could be regarded as true, however, he should also take into account the ultimate purpose of technology which is to make life easier and better by solving everyday problems, not generating

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) has had a huge impact on the fight against malaria, helping to ensure the control or eradication of malaria in many countries around the world in the mid-twentieth century. However, since its peak in the 1960s, succeeded by environmental and health concerns about the usage of the insecticide, more and more countries have been banning the use of DDT.

DDT is a very controversial product… but why? DDT was a pesticide used in the 1950s and it was very effective at killing mosquitoes. This was good because mosquitoes carry a very deadly disease called malaria. But soon the government banned its use in the USA. It supposedly has been decreasing the populations of bald eagles. They think that it makes the eggshells thinner, so when the eagle it trying to keep the eggs warm it might break the eggs on accident. Many people are happy about this ban and others are not. Some researchers feel that evidence supports a ban on DDT while others feel that it is an over reaction to an environmental concern. DDT has been shown to help control the malaria parasite. Evidence supports the banning

He references the story of the Oji-Cree people, nomads who relied very little on technology. It was not until the nineteen-sixties, when technology, such as engines and electricity, was introduced to them. After this advancement, the threat of dying in the winter due to starvation was eliminated; however, obesity and diabetes emerged throughout the population. This raises the question of whether the technology caused more harm than good. He presents this story to model how our society is not much different, “When it comes to technologies, we mainly want to make things easy. Not to be bored. Oh, and maybe to look a bit younger” (Wu 4). Technology, while intended to help us, allows us to be lazy as a society, which introduces a whole new set of problems. He furthers his point by saying that we are “comfort-seeking missiles” (Wu 4). This theory causes the reader to reflect on themselves to notice if they have fallen victim to the misuse of technology. By inserting this study into his article Wu is able to persuade the reader to agree with

Another disputed environmental issue is the use of DDT and if it should be banned worldwide. DDT has been a cheap and effective pesticide used against mosquitos carrying malaria, saving millions of lives. However, this pesticide has now been included in the “dirty dozen” due to its environmental effects, but about 25 countries continue to use the toxin (Easton, 281). Anne Platt McGinn provides the stronger argument stating DDT is less effective than previously and it should be banned or reserved for emergency use due to the environmental effects. On the other hand, Professor Donald R. Roberts ineffectively argues the environmental hazards have been misrepresented and the threat of malaria is more important, making DDT necessary to save lives.

In the book Silent Spring, Rachel Carson’s main concern is the widespread use of synthetic pesticides and their impact on the environment. Carson concentrates on a commonly used pesticide in the 1950s called DDT. She opposes the indiscriminate spraying of DDT because it has profound consequences on the environment, humans and animals. Carson collected information about how the DDT can cause cancer in humans, harm animals such as birds and remained in the environment for long periods of time. Subsequently, the chemicals in the pesticides are extremely harmful so she tries to raise awareness and convince others that there are better alternatives.

In the article, “DDT Ban: Is DDT Dangerous or Beneficial” written by Lillian Forman, looks at a chemical used to fight off insects that carried disease after World War II. The chemical compound that was used to kill the unwanted pest is called dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or DDT. The chemical was used to fight insects that carried diseases to soldiers in camps, people in refugee camps, tourists in tropical areas, and people in bombed out cities. Because the chemical was used in Europe and Asia, and save millions of lives many believed it was a miracle chemical. Though some insects like lady bugs, bees, praying mantises are useful, humans have a good reason to fear other insects. Some of the feared insects include mosquitoes, ticks, body lice, cockroaches, and flies. Mosquitos carry malaria and contagious illnesses such as West Nile virus. Ticks carry Lyme disease and body lice infect their victims with typhus. Whereas cockroaches carry germs that can cause severe gastrointestinal problems. Flies carry even more dangerous pathogens, some of which cause deadly meningitis. Insects are harmful to more than just human health, locusts periodically destroy crops, termites eat away wooden structures, and moths ruin cloth.

Mr. Kelly argues that, technologies new and old have helped humans throughout history. The use of technology has formed us and has become an extension of who we are as humans. I have to agree with his arguments. Technology provides opportunities, sometimes for a price, but we are always willing to pay it because we are naturally drawn to progression. Technology has helped humans evolve from small populations with high mortality rates to prosperous, growing overpopulated lands. Our optimistic views of the future and witnessed benefits from the use of technology, has left us with an addiction we willingly life with. Mr. Kelly said, “[Technology] is the most powerful force that has been unleashed on this planet, and in such a degree that I think that it 's become our -- who we are.”(Kelly)

As our innovative world is rapidly moving into the future, technology is being invented and innovated at every turn. This technology ranges from top-notch video game systems to microscopic robots made to perform internal surgery. Although these impressive technological improvements were recently made, they are not entirely beneficial because this technology damages our social and learning skills, while also damaging us as humans.

Technology is used on a daily basis to accomplish specific tasks or interests. Modern technology increases human capabilities and this technology has evolved with years. Technology simplifies life in so many ways and everyone defines technology in their own way. They’re new types of technology on the market, this technology simplifies our daily lives. They’re endless demands as consumers of technology, people use technology to accomplish simple tasks every day. Technology’s used in business, education, communication, healthcare, entertainment and so much more. There’s an unquestionable impact of technology on society. Whether considering the plow, vaccinations, or the internet, technology has had a huge impact on society. While not every advance benefits society, there’s many positive effects of technology. Modern technology makes life more convenient now more than ever. Modern technologies like broadband internet makes it possible to access relevant information at any time anywhere. Today’s technology makes it simple for students to learn from anywhere through online education and mobile education, which improves the education system. It also improves the health system, most hospitals have implemented modern technology in surgical rooms, which may reduce the number of mistakes made by doctors. Modern technology’s more convenient than when it was simpler because, it provides an easy way to access information, improves the education system, and it improves the health system.

As humans, we have always been trying to gain control over nature, chemicals being one of the ways we have attempted this. Carson also explains that most of the problems we try to control with chemicals is caused by our own doing, an example being living in unsanitary conditions or accidentally bringing over new insects when we are shipping things from place to place. Then as we all know, when this book was written the solve-all solution to this problem was to spray DDT all over everything. People believed that this stuff was going to make their lives better and insect free. She even gives an example of

In today’s society, modern technology is evidently developing rapidly and it is portrayed as a negative impact. It can be seen that technology is a substitution of all characteristics of life. The purpose of every technological invention is to benefit the lives of mankind; thus re-enforcing the positive connotation of technology. However, in long term it may not be beneficial; such as, education, work and leisure are all becoming dependent on technology; cyberspace is dangerous and child obesity is increasing.