Reaction Paper to "Earth Without People"

In the article, Earth Without People, Alan Weisman paints a picture of a post-human world by using imagery extensively. He not only uses examples of actual areas on Earth, but he also describes what the devolution of many species would look like and their effects on the rest of the environment. Weisman goes into detail when he describes the destruction of man-made structures by natural forces. He shares the exact types of natural forces that would disassemble each material used to hold together these man made structures. This work has very scientific viewpoints that are backed up by credible sources. Weisman does an amazing job making the reader see threw his eyes. He takes the readers imagination and paints it like his own canvas, making it easy to see his idea of an “earth without people” (Weisman, “Earth Without People”).

            Weisman uses many literary tactics to describe this theoretical earth. One of them is by relating it to an actual ecosystem. For example, Weisman uses the DMZ in Korea to display an example of an area that has been cut-off from human activity for a very long time. This portion of the article describes the farmland in the area that has been completely overrun by nature, and has been “transformed into pockets of marsh.” This portion describes the distinguished alterations that have occurred in the area over time. For example Weisman discusses “the new occupants of these lands [that] arrive as dazzling white squadrons of red-crowned cranes that glide over the bulrushes in perfect formation.” This kind of description of the cranes paints a beautiful picture in the reader’s mind. They are compelled to notice the commanding grace that these birds have.

            To further describe the repercussions that the loss of the human-race would have, Weisman outlines the devolution of many species. He describes the likely dismemberment of “all human attempts to improve on nature,” such as bred horses, altered vegetables, and many domesticated animals. To backup his points, Weisman utilizes the credible knowledge of a Harvard University biologist, Edward O. Wilson. In the article, Wilson states that “the plants, crops, and animal species man has wrought by his own hand would be wiped out in a century or two…the world would mostly look as it did before humanity came along—like a wilderness.” Weisman uses this quote to suggest a picture of what the Animalia Kingdom would look like after the extinction of humans. This use of imagery makes the reader realize how fragile and insignificant man’s attempts can be. It also shows how strong natural forces are.

            The insignificant deterioration of man-made things could be seen as a reoccurring subject in this article. One of these occurrences discusses the dismemberment of structures, meaning buildings. Weisman starts of this portion of the article, by discussing the break down of the Mayan pyramids in the northern Guatemalan jungle. He relates it to the possibilities of this happening to a major city. He creates visions of rusted away lightning rods, invading weeds, vast and stretching rivers, and even poison ivy plants clawing at walls.

            All in all, this detailed description of an earth liberated from human traces, uses intense imagery to teleport the reader into this scenario. In this article the reader is constantly placed in flourishing ecosystems that are filled with the grace of Earth’s natural order. Alan Weisman uses plenty of fact-based theories to really push the reader toward his thoughts and views. The article is a prime example of how imagery can make a very unlikely and far-fetched scenario seem like it is right in front of you, showing you what this Earth could be like, and how beautiful and powerful it would be.