The World Without Us

The readings by Weisman give a startling description of what the world will be like whenhumans no longer exist. My first thought after reading was that I never want to live in New York City. Although the events described in the reading will most likely happen all over the world, the specific details about New York City make it that much more real in that specific location. I can actually visualize these horrifying events happening in New York. Every time I walk through Central Park or ride on the subway, I will think of the terrible things that will eventually occur once humans are have left this earth.

Humans control the world we live in. Humans made this world the way it is, and we need to work to keep it that way. There are many different locations in New York that are completely controlled by humans. For example, humans need to control pumps to remove water from the subway stations daily. If one pump breaks in the subway station, water could gather in the subway station stopping trains and causing major problems. The frightful part is that the sewer system is located above the train station. This means that pumps need to pump water upwards (against the force of gravity) which makes the situation even more terrifying.

People can look at this chapter in many different ways. One viewpoint is that we hate ourselves for taking over the earth and changing nature's path. Another is that we are afraid of the capabilities of nature. I am terrified of the situations presented in this reading and I hope that I am not alive to see these events pan out.