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In the study of history, nothing is more fascinating than the emergence of those ideas that periodically galvanize mankind into urgent action. Such ideas leap onto the center stage of public awareness, stay for a time, and then effectively vanish.
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In the study of history, nothing is more fascinating than the emergence of those ideas that periodically galvanize mankind into urgent action. Such ideas leap onto the center stage of public awareness, stay for a time, and then effectively vanish. The most interesting moments in this process, of course, are those when the idea is on stage, when it engages the public in passionate debate, when people struggle to fit the idea into the existing order, and when, through their efforts, people inevitably change both the existing order and the character of the idea. William D. Ruckelshaus ‘85
The system usually ignores new developments, sticking to a status quo policy until there is some often-belated recognition that action is required; at this point very large changes are common. F.J. Baumgartner, In: R. Repetto (2006)
Do you believe that acid rain “killed” hundreds of lakes in the northeastern United States? a. yes, I believe this is true. b. no, I believe this is false. c. I don’t know (or never thought about this).
Claims of acid rain “naysayers” during the 1980s • General: We don’t need to control acid rain • 1. Rainfall is naturally acidic and most sources of acid rain pre-cursors are natural (volcanoes, swamps, etc.) • Gradual acidification of lakes is a natural phenomenon • Some lakes are naturally acidic and never supported fish populations • 4. Fish stories
Claims of acid rain “naysayers” during the 1980s • General: We don’t need to control acid rain • 1. Rainfall is naturally acidic and most sources of acid rain pre-cursors are natural (volcanoes, swamps, etc.) • Gradual acidification of lakes is a natural phenomenon • Some lakes are naturally acidic and never supported fish populations • 4. Fish stories
In the study of history, nothing is more fascinating than the emergence of those ideas that periodically galvanize mankind into urgent action. Such ideas leap onto the center stage of public awareness, stay for a time, and then effectively vanish. The most interesting moments in this process, of course, are those when the idea is on stage, when it engages the public in passionate debate, when people struggle to fit the idea into the existing order, and when, through their efforts, people inevitably change both the existing order and the character of the idea. William D. Ruckelshaus ‘85
The system usually ignores new developments, sticking to a status quo policy until there is some often-belated recognition that action is required; at this point very large changes are common. F.J. Baumgartner, In: R. Repetto (2006)