05/31/2007: "Rachel Carson 1907-1964"

"The beauty of the living world I was trying to save has always been uppermost in my mind---that, and anger at the senseless brutish things that were being done. I have felt bound by a solemn obligation to do what I could---if I didn't at least try I could never be happy again in nature. But now I can believe I have at least helped a little."

Last Sunday, May 27, was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Rachel Carson. The environmental movement owes, in a big way, it's existence to Carson and her radicalizing 1962 book "Silent Spring". Rachel Carson was among the first to describe the disastrous effects of DDT and other synthetic pesticides on our ecology. She also perceived the disastrous muzzling of the warnings of some scientists in the name of commerce that allowed the poisioning of the environment by dangerous chemicals. Carson wrote and spoke passionately about saving our ecosystem from rape by the corporate thirst for profits until she died of cancer at age 56.

Even though Carson's books have remained best sellers for decades, we find ourselves today with an environment badly damaged and deteriorating thanks to the deregulation begun by Saint Ronald Regan and continued by the venal assholes who have occupied the White House since, culminating with the final, facist takeover by that stumble mouthed Prince of Fools, George Weenie the Second. The enormous power of corporations that Rachel Carson feared in the 1950's and 1960's has become institutionalized today, the lines between government and business blurred to invisibility. While we are told that this new corporate government is benign and has only our well being as its purpose, the fact is that making profits for their own sake is all it cares about. Human concerns are secondary at best.

It's a good time to celebrate Rachel Carson's memory and brilliant contributions. You can learn more about her here. And it's a good time to search ourselves for new ideas to re-radicalize new generations to the dangers presented to us by our own institutions.

Replies: 5 Comments

on Sunday, August 19th, Thom said

No denying the facts about the children dying from malaria that could have been prevented if only some common sense prevailed and not outright banning. But reading some of her articles it seems the writer is a bit of an unhappy, spiteful person led by whatever grips such people rather than facts. Whatever happens to such people to get such a black soul. P.S. How in the world would a niece inherit anything directly from an uncle? Guess that is a hint of the logic behind the writing. Too bad.

on Saturday, August 18th, David said

Rachel Carson was responsible for the death of not millions but TENS of MILLIONS.

on Saturday, August 18th, mshyde said

Yes, let's celebrate the
death of millions of children in 3rd world
countries because of her
recklessness.
Why don't you also research and read the refutation of her so called science.
And did you know, that DDT is being used again to save lives of those who live in mosquito infested regions?
Get a clue lady.

on Friday, June 1st, Pete said

Hi Mamie,
About 10 years ago I was at my ex's family's summer 'camp' on a beautiful little lake in NJ. The family has owned it since 1921 and its filled with bits of the past decades. A first edition paperback of Silent Spring was there. I knew of the book but hadn't read it. I was shcked as I flipped through it to learn what's been known about pesticides since before I was born. The irony was that the book had sat witness to the fowling of the adjacent lake. Still beautiful, but not pristine, it was clogged with invasive species of plants and animals and there was an odd smell that never went away---all of which is due to nature being so out of whack. I remember thinking it was almost as if Silent Spring had never been written.

Thanks for your tribute to Rachel Carson.

Pete

on Thursday, May 31st, Jo said

Thank you Rachel for your diligence.
Thank you Mamie for letting us know about her.