I read today in the Guardian that Japan is to halt Arctic whaling because they
are not actually slaughtering whales for 'scientific research' as they had
previously stated. The reason they are killing the whales according to Japan is
because it is "necessary to examine the age, health, feeding habits,
exposure to toxins and other characteristics of whale populations, with a view
to the possible resumption of sustainable commercial whaling" and could
not gather this research with non lethal methods, however this seems rather
suspect as many campaigners have pointed out, the data they get from these
methods are limited and not of real benefit in the long run anyway. Campaigners
here have called this a dramatic victory and have been campaigning for this to
stop for over four years, so there is much cause for celebration it seems even
if the ban is only temporary and the Japanese will probably continue to
advocate whaling in the future.
In my honest opinion, I believe that whaling should be stopped, I am
definitely leaning towards the view of the campaigners even though in all
fairness, the article seems to not have any defined slant, it has tried to lay
out the facts that have been given without any sentiment shown such as giving
both sides of the argument. This is typical of the Guardian and a thing I
believe is the right way to go in terms of presenting the hard facts, and
allowing users to give their opinion in the comments section. I am trying to
justify whaling but even with my limited knowledge on the subject, I cannot.
Many may agree and disagree with me on this subject, I would welcome comments
on your own personal thoughts and any other statistics found as I have not
delved deep enough into the world of whaling to make complete, definitive
statements on this.
It was also interesting to read the comments from users below, I have picked
out a select few that I thought warranted attention:
"Nine years, 3600 whales slaughtered and only two papers?
You're rubbish at science fellas - go and find another hobby."
Another stated:
"Sure this is progress but sadly, there's a weasel word in the following
statement:
The International court of Justice on Monday ordered a temporary halt to
Japan's Antarctic whaling programme,
The whale in the room is "temporary".
There was not many opposed to the ruling however one user stated:
"They have been carrying out good work for decade - in the interest of
all. They can, and they should, publish the outcome of their scientific
research which will surely result in universal agreement that they continue to
hunt down whales."
I am not saying that all whaling is completely wrong, I do try to give a fair
judgement on this long debated argument; however I do not see what real merit
there is slaughtering these animals for scientific research, much better
methods could be researched, in my opinion. The impact this has on the
environment and ecosystem must be thought about as well, even if this whaling
is contributing to scientific research, what damage is it doing to the
ecosystem and population of whales? Both sides of the argument have some merit,
I mean there could be some scientific research that is worthwhile, but as I
have stated before, I think the consequences of whaling way outweigh the merits
and thus I think the ban is a worthwhile thing that should be upheld
indefinitely if possible.
The article is here if anyone wants to read further/contribute to the
debate:
www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/31/japanese-whaling-halt-antarctic-international-court
Monday 31 March 2014
Saturday 29 March 2014
The Road as a quest narrative, with Apocalypic Grail elements
Although this has been discussed in class, I believe more depth needs to be
added to looking at The Road as a quest narrative, I will explain my thoughts
below.
Although there is no final destination in The Road, there is still the journey that is focused on, a hopeless urge to keep on moving down the road, this still is a quest narrative, although they have no clear focus, the journey that progresses through the narrative is still a quest, for survival. In a sense nothing has been fulfilled, but then on the other hand a lot has actually happened throughout the text in a variety of different ways.
The goal does not have to be realistic or defined, in this text it is imaginative to give the quest hope, for instance the father only keeps on living for his son and he is travelling without much to live for, except for his son. I decided to delve further into this still keeping with the strand of the quest and hope. I found a journal online by Lydia Cooper who looks into The Road as an Apocalyptic Grail narrative which links to my theme I am exploring. Interestingly, the novels title in early draft was 'The Grail' and the title illustrative of the narrative arc is where "a dying father embarks on a quest to preserve his son, whom he imagines as a "chalice". This can lead off into many different paths including religion and preservation of humankind, but instead I want to show that this is still ultimately a quest, even if the book can now be looked at through religious terms, it is still the progression of this grail through the narrative. A quest of the boy's journey, although still showing the boys morality, and in the last few pages, his acceptance of the man, women and children and the fact his quest continues. After he leaves his father "he rose and turned and walked back out to the road" (p306), the quest is not over, it continues on the road and thus although with no clear destination, still leaves a sense of something more to be completed and continued.
I would urge you to read more into the child becoming a grail bearer or becoming part of the Holy Grail itself. A key example is when the father is dying; he sees his "son approach, carrying a cup of water with “light all about him.” After he gives the water to his father, the boy leaves and “the light move[s] with him”, it is an interesting reference yet gives greater scope to the text. I had not thought of looking at the boy as a Holy Grail and cup bearer, but thinking further into this, the references are clear and worth further research.
Searching for this on the library resources, you will soon be able to access a copy to read yourself:
L, Cooper. Cormac McCarthy's The Road as Apocalyptic Grail Narrative .2011
Although there is no final destination in The Road, there is still the journey that is focused on, a hopeless urge to keep on moving down the road, this still is a quest narrative, although they have no clear focus, the journey that progresses through the narrative is still a quest, for survival. In a sense nothing has been fulfilled, but then on the other hand a lot has actually happened throughout the text in a variety of different ways.
The goal does not have to be realistic or defined, in this text it is imaginative to give the quest hope, for instance the father only keeps on living for his son and he is travelling without much to live for, except for his son. I decided to delve further into this still keeping with the strand of the quest and hope. I found a journal online by Lydia Cooper who looks into The Road as an Apocalyptic Grail narrative which links to my theme I am exploring. Interestingly, the novels title in early draft was 'The Grail' and the title illustrative of the narrative arc is where "a dying father embarks on a quest to preserve his son, whom he imagines as a "chalice". This can lead off into many different paths including religion and preservation of humankind, but instead I want to show that this is still ultimately a quest, even if the book can now be looked at through religious terms, it is still the progression of this grail through the narrative. A quest of the boy's journey, although still showing the boys morality, and in the last few pages, his acceptance of the man, women and children and the fact his quest continues. After he leaves his father "he rose and turned and walked back out to the road" (p306), the quest is not over, it continues on the road and thus although with no clear destination, still leaves a sense of something more to be completed and continued.
I would urge you to read more into the child becoming a grail bearer or becoming part of the Holy Grail itself. A key example is when the father is dying; he sees his "son approach, carrying a cup of water with “light all about him.” After he gives the water to his father, the boy leaves and “the light move[s] with him”, it is an interesting reference yet gives greater scope to the text. I had not thought of looking at the boy as a Holy Grail and cup bearer, but thinking further into this, the references are clear and worth further research.
Searching for this on the library resources, you will soon be able to access a copy to read yourself:
L, Cooper. Cormac McCarthy's The Road as Apocalyptic Grail Narrative .2011
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