Jessica Raybe 11 AP Language Ms.

Geyer 5 December 2012

The Future of Life (2002)

Edward O. Wilson uses many different rhetorical devices such as satire and logical fallacies to convey the unproductive nature of the discussions posed by both the environmentalists and the people-first critics. Wilson makes fun of these two groups because their constant bickering over the issues of one another does not help to get anything accomplished. The arguments each side presents about the other are filled with nonsense and unimportant facts. Wilson, with no bias view, uses satire to discuss the silliness in how these groups make their arguments and themselves as an individual appear. Wilson uses and extensive amount of loaded language when discussing the people-first critic stereotypes of the environmentalists by referring to the environmentalists as environmental wackos (4). Wilson states that because these wackos are so busy with going green and we are not benefitting at all. Whats at stake as they busy themselves are your tax dollars and mine, and ultimately our freedom too (15-17). This use of a hyperbole is presented to show that these critics feel like environmentalists are taking over and not giving people a chance to decide if going green is what they want. Clearly this is exaggeration because at the end of the day we can all make our own choices and we will always have freedom. That is a right that no one can take away, so if the government cant take that away how could environmentalists? They cant. Satire can also be used when referring to the illogical arguments presents by the environmentalists about the people-first critics. These people-first critics are stereotyped as the

rich and powerful because they are said to care only about their selfish interests and not the natural environment. Wilson states that their idea of conservation is stocking trout streams and planting trees around golf courses (51-52). This is being a tad over dramatic because obviously these people have more on their mind than restoring and making better golf courses. This quote is used in Wilsons argument because it is petty comments like this that produces that unproductive nature of discussions. A point like this has absolutely no value and is an ad hominum because it is attacking the person rather than the idea. Within these two passages Wilson uses many different rhetorical devices, including many different logical fallacies, to prove that these arguments have no value or worth and are completely unproductive. Both arguments presented by each group dont really focus on the idea at hand, but rather attack the types of people they are or are said to be. Arguing liked this does not move us in any direction to improve our society. Instead, it holds us back and stops us from prospering because we are focused on petty details rather than the positions in which each group stands and why.