-----Original Message-----
From: The listserv that doubts your pants are worth $42 million. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 11:49 AM

In a message dated 7/30/2007 9:52:18 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
Do we need an overnight global environmental catastrophe to get peoples attention?
>

I keep thinking that one good plague would get lots of folks thinking different...

Twybil

>

Bruce Marcham writes: 

Speaking of plagues The Diane Rehm Show on NPR had an interesting topic this morning:

>
11:00  Alan Weisman: "The World Without Us" (St. Martin's Press)
A science writer imagines what the earth would be like if humans were to suddenly go extinct.

Guests
Alan Weisman, award-winning journalist, a senior radio producer for Homelands Productions, and professor of journalism at the University of Arizona.
> 

He investigates what would happen on earth if the human race was to suddenly go away (rapture, fast-acting catastrophic virus, etc.).  What would happen to he infrastructure, global warming, other species, etc.  He spoke of the structural steel under NYC collapsing from lack of preventative maintenance, buildings that would deteriorate most rapidly from roof leaks (he postulates that the ones made from stone would last the longest), nuclear plants overheating and melting down, etc.  Flora and fauna reverting to a wild state.  He spoke with various experts to determine how long it would take for the various influences of mankind, good and bad, to be erased.  The situation at Chernobyl was one of the things that prompted the book.  He also spoke of the "wildlife preserve" created by the DMZ between North and South Korea as an example of a spot that is relatively untouched (ignoring the land mines and speakers blaring propaganda).

Bruce M.

--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>