Download Lesson 12 Four Laws of Ecology (2) -

Chunyan Shao (Shandong University)
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Part I (1-8): Nature knows best.
(P.1-2): Introduction to the Law
(P. 3-4): Nature knows best in biological
system.
(P. 5-7): Nature knows best in organic
chemistry.
(P. 8): Conclusion
Part II (9-10): There is no such thing as a free
lunch.
Part III (11): Conclusion of the Four Laws
Part IV (12-14): The literary heritage and the
scientist’s awareness of environmental crisis
Pervasive—being present throughout;
permeative
 Improve on-- to produce something which is
better, more useful etc
 Bald-- Undisguised; blunt
 Detrimental--Causing damage or harm; injurious
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Why will this principle be rejected?
What is the unique competence of human
beings?
What is the modern technology intended to do?
In what sense is the claim extreme?
Poke--To push or jab at, as with a finger or an
arm; prod
 Works--Internal mechanism
 Finite--Having bounds; limited:
 At issue--in question; in dispute
 Try out--To test or use experimentally
 Compatible--Capable of existing or performing
in harmonious, agreeable, or congenial
combination with another or others
 In effect--In essence; to all purposes
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Follow exactly the format of Paragraph 2 and
describe the situation with the ecosystem.
For example, what is analogous in ecosystem
to a random poke of a pencil?
Replace all the words in watchmaking with
the words in ecosystem.
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Induce--To bring about or stimulate the
occurrence of; cause
Albeit--Even though; although;
notwithstanding
What is the risk of being exposed to X-rays?
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Sustain--To experience or suffer
Staggering--astounding or overwhelming;
shocking
Screen out--examine in order to test
suitability
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Why would a change in a living organism tend
to kill that organism?
Will the living things that are incompatible to
the whole system survive?
Why will it be unable to survive?
What role does evolution play?
Win what sense is the current ecosystem
best?
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Will some of the organic compounds be made
better if they are replaced with man-made
materials?
What is the consequence of introducing
artificial element into the living natural
system?
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Foregoing-- Said, written, or encountered
just before; previous
Reason-- To determine or conclude by logical
thinking
Wanting-- Not measuring up to standards or
expectations, inadequate in amount or
degree
Carcinogenic-- causing or tending to cause
cancer
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Which is more, the varieties existing in living
things or the possible varieties?
How many examples does the author give to
support the statement that the living things
allow a very restricted varieties of chemical
substances?
--protein types
--Fatty acid
--Attached nitrogen and oxygen
--DDT
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How is the paragraph organized?
Topic: restricted
Supporting details:
Obviously, protein
In the same way, fatty acid
Similarly, attached nitrogen and oxygen
And, I would suppose from the fact that
DDT
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Break down—decompose
Provision--A preparatory action or measure
Enforce--To impose (a kind of behavior, for
example); compel
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What is one of the striking facts about the
chemistry of living systems?
What will happen if a new thing that is not
compatible with nature is introduced to
nature?
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Operationally—in practice
Disseminate--To scatter widely, as in sowing
seed
What is the right attitude towards the manmade materials?
Under what circumstances would this
prudence be impossible?
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Illuminating--serving to inform or clarify;
instructive
Potentate--One who has the power and
position to rule over others; a monarch
On pain of--at risk of experiencing something
bad
Tome--One of the books in a work of several
volumes
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First Law: The global ecosystem is a
connected whole
Second Law: nothing can be gained or lost
Third Law: the connected whole is not
subject to over-all improvement
Fourth Law: anything extracted from the
whole by human effort must be replaced.
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Enmesh--To entangle, involve, or catch in or
as if in a mesh
Interplay--Reciprocal action and reaction;
interaction
Incisive--Penetrating, clear, and sharp, as in
operation or expression
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What is embarrassing?
What did Whitman describe about the
complex web?
What is described in Moby Dick?
What is Mark Twain critical of?
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Condone--To overlook, forgive, or disregard
(an offense) without protest or censure
Assault--A violent physical or verbal attack
Avid--Having an ardent desire or unbounded
craving; greedy
Elucidate--To make clear or plain, especially
by explanation; clarify
take someone unawares—to surprise or
startle
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Miasma--A thick, vaporous atmosphere or
emanation:
Literal--Avoiding exaggeration
Factual--Of the nature of fact; real
Perceptive—sensitive, keen in discernment