Point of View
This specific PBS special is told to its viewers in a third-person perspective. The media is created almost as a critical biography of the famous author known as Rachel Carson. We get an insight into the time period in which Rachel lived and what exactly made her famous, which was, of course, the publication of "Silent Spring." We get also get a third-person insight behind the hot research topic of that time, DDT.
Purpose
The sole purpose of this video is to discuss the importance of Carsons' writing and explain how it was such a huge warning to the public that not everyone seemed to be aware of. She spoke on environmental issues and their relation to mankind, which sparked a lot of controversy to begin with. The video puts you into this time period so that you can learn what was going on at the time and why Carson caught so much attention with her book. We are given background information on Carson and what led her to the moment of publication as well as what made her such a credible source to be reckoned with. Furthermore, Carsons purpose was to educate the public on these issues and give her own theories on the evolution of our environment, the readers seemed to have done to rest of the work from there themselves. In addition, the video also educated viewers on the 'new generation insecticide' DDT. It was explained how DDT became a common solution to insect-borne diseases and how the public ran with that information as well.
Questions at Issue
During this time, the Cold War was at its peak. Which also meant that our safety and environmental status was constantly being tried and questioned. The main problem stood within our environment being constantly contaminated. Why was it happening? Who is at fault for these issues? How will it affect our safety? Is DDT safe for everyone? Should we be using it? Therefore, Rachel Carson offered answers to these questions when Silent Spring was published. However, the public took this book in many ways. Some began to view her as a 'communist' because of her viewpoint(s) and accusations, while others found her as a legend that brought a light and possible solutions to our problems. "To some, it was an act of heroism, to others, an irresponsible breach of scientific objectivity."
Information, data facts and observations
Written in 1962, Rachel Carson put out one of the best-selling books of that time, "Silent Spring", and remained in the public eye ever since. Carson was 38 when she wrote the book and furthered her research. Not only was she a writer, but she was training to be a biologist. Prior to her public popularity, she worked for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service overseeing incoming publications while residing in Maryland. Then, Carson caught word of an experimental examination happening locally that she developed a major interest in. At the Patuxent Research Refuge, scientists were examining the environmental impacts of a new chemistry-lab creation called DDT, abbreviation for the synthetic pesticide: dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. Apparently after being derived from the 19th century, it wasn't until 1939 that scientist Paul Muller discovered that it could be useful as an insecticide. Thus, after the bombing of Pearl Habor, the military used DDT in the battle zones in effort to protect troops from insect-borne diseases. After word about it not being harmful to humans, DDT powder spraying stations became popular in order to prevent typhus from spreading and occurring. However, Carson saw that this insecticide "caused collateral damage to the wildlife". That's when she questioned the legitimacy of the use of DDT and continued to warn the public on being aware and cautious of how they continued to use it.
Interpretation and Inference
Before all eyes were on Carson, chemists and biologists believed that man is the one that controls nature on its own. Where, unlike the other scientists, as claimed in the source, Carson believed that "the balance of nature was/is a major force in the survival of man." She changed this perspective and started this massive amount of attention to be spotlighted on her viewpoint and what she claimed in her book. The interpretations in the video happen mainly around Carsons book and the way the public took in a lot of the new environmental information that was being introduced at that time, (such as DDT).
Concepts
Of course, the main concept being discussed is around the environmental contamination and status that was active during and around the time of the cold war. Environmental contamination, defined by law, is the inclusion of hazardous materials at such levels, quantities or location, or of such form or character, as to constitute a violation of Requirements of Law. The main element being discussed was DDT and the most popular disease during the time of war being typhus. Typhus is group of infectious diseases caused by bacteria which spread to humans through fleas, lice and chigger bites.
Assumptions
Some assumptions made in the video could stem from multiple details. One being about the audience Carson had as a result from her book. Unless you research reviews and commentary from specific individuals, it is hard to tell whether she has more criticizers or supporters. Another assumption might be on Carson and her agenda behind writing "Silent Spring". The video claimed that she was the one who wanted to be in the public eye, which might be true, but it also might be for different reasons. Depicted on the different tones and comments within the video, this was stated as if Carson dug herself a hole to be harshly viewed and criticized, but later on, it is said that she just desired a wider audience to be heard, a reason we could only confirm from Carson herself. Then there are a few holes within the DDT situation and why the public automatically agreed to use it as prevention of insect-borne diseases.
Consequences
A main consequence could be the effect of DDT and its use by the public. Because it was used once successfully, the public ran with that and abused its use by creating "spray showers" to try and prevent diseases. Understandably, at the time, they were desperate for safety and preventional possibilities, but because of the over usage, our wildlife and environment suffered. There were still so many unsolved questions and safety studies around DDT that weren't performed before using it to such an extreme, and it showed.
5.
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.jjd_T9e0_JaWbryLJfI4dgHaCz?w=285&h=132&c=7&r=0&o=5&dpr=1.5&pid=1.7
video cited:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeJNRaE11A0
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