Posts tagged ‘scientific studies’
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART II
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by progress. This is an unpublished story.
The United States had decided to turn back to coal for the main source of power, primarily based on politics. Also decided was to relax pollution standards also the product of a weak president bowing to industry. The coal industry, auto industry and whatever industry had been closely regulated in the past to prevent pollution were overjoyed. However, lurking in the future was a development no one could have anticipated. A development which would drastically alter the Earth’s atmosphere. This change would result from countries known for their rapidly growing economies and lack of regulations. They were on the road to an improved life.
The circumstance which no one could predict was precipitated by increased income. With new money flowing to those who once had little was the spread of air conditioners. Populations in countries such as India, who once suffered unbearable heat, with a devastating toll to the population, now found relief through air conditioning.
Other countries also embraced this source of comfort unaware that this new luxury was creating great amounts of heat and sending it into an already fragile atmosphere. After all, other countries enjoyed the comfort of cool air although they experienced only moderate temperatures. Why should countries experiencing life-threatening temperatures be denied a way to a better life? This development of improving their lives also required an increased amount of electricity in India and China, and other countries experiencing new wealth. All these countries rely on coal to produce their electricity. As a result, there was a new cycle of our changing planet was established.
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART I
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by progress.
David and Lisa studied the scene around them, a scene they knew they would soon join. A decreasing number of people walked the area. The lack of trees offered an unobstructed view of great distance, a view of horror beyond description, an unbroken tableau of man’s folly.
In their cozy home in the state of Iowa, David sat reading the evening paper. And shouted to Lisa, “They’re at it again. We’re all doomed because of Global Warming which has morphed into Climate Change. Can’t these ‘experts’ at least settle on a name for something that doesn’t exist?”
Cooking dinner, Lisa listened to Dave’s rant, but did not reply. They were of different minds as to what was happening to our atmosphere, and she knew starting an argument was useless. Dave’s view on Climate Change was based on what he was fed by his favorite news station. Lisa’s was based on the science she read. The signs were there but many paid no attention to the reality of the situation. For those, life was easy and comfortable.
David, 32, a CPA was moderately handsome of average height and weight put little value in scientific investigations. “You’ve got to look at whose paying for the study,” he would say. Let me say one word and tell you me how much we should believe studies. Coffee.”
Lisa, four years younger than David, was a high school science teacher. Petite, with blond hair and stunning blue eyes. She was a knockout. Unlike David she put value in scientific investigation, especially those following Climate Change. But she knew there was no point in arguing this subject with her husband.
Walttriznastories's Blog 