Comments on: Taking on an environmentalist icon http://edwardwillett.com/2007/06/taking-on-an-environmentalist-icon/ Canadian author of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction for both adults and children. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:39:58 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Edward Willett http://edwardwillett.com/2007/06/taking-on-an-environmentalist-icon/comment-page-1/#comment-365 Edward Willett Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:41:00 +0000 http://willett.pagedmedia.com/?p=2605#comment-365 I confess I haven't researched the topic enough to have an informed opinion. But I'm generally a fan of Tierney's science writing, and quite startled to see this counter-the-usual-wisdom article on Carson in the <i>New York Times</i>, which is why I linked to it. I confess I haven’t researched the topic enough to have an informed opinion. But I’m generally a fan of Tierney’s science writing, and quite startled to see this counter-the-usual-wisdom article on Carson in the New York Times, which is why I linked to it.

]]> By: Derryl Murphy http://edwardwillett.com/2007/06/taking-on-an-environmentalist-icon/comment-page-1/#comment-364 Derryl Murphy Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:56:00 +0000 http://willett.pagedmedia.com/?p=2605#comment-364 He doesn't note that in many countries, DDT wasn't banned for years or even decades after Silent Spring. And there's no mention of mosquitoes developing a resistance as another reason why malaria may be making a comeback.<br/><br/>And don't get me started on the whole "natural carcinogens" thing. Of course almost everything is naturally occurring, and of course it depends on how much we ingest. But the fact is, we create versions of these chemicals that are much more concentrated and then put ourselves into situations where they can't be avoided.<br/><br/>Carson was a scientist, but spent most of her working career as a writer. It's fine to call out her mistakes, but not with a load of other errors and omissions.<br/><br/>D He doesn’t note that in many countries, DDT wasn’t banned for years or even decades after Silent Spring. And there’s no mention of mosquitoes developing a resistance as another reason why malaria may be making a comeback.

And don’t get me started on the whole “natural carcinogens” thing. Of course almost everything is naturally occurring, and of course it depends on how much we ingest. But the fact is, we create versions of these chemicals that are much more concentrated and then put ourselves into situations where they can’t be avoided.

Carson was a scientist, but spent most of her working career as a writer. It’s fine to call out her mistakes, but not with a load of other errors and omissions.

D

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