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\centerline{MONT 103N -- Analyzing Environmental Data}
\centerline{Review/Discussion Questions on Friedman, {\it Hot, Flat, and Crowded}}
\centerline{April 18, 2012}
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{\it Notes:}  
\item{a)}  Because I don't want to overburden you next
week when much of the work on the final projects will be
going on, you are only responsible for reading 
Chapters 1,2,8,11,16,17, although the rest of the 
book is highly recommended too(!)
\item{b)}  Some questions below are adapted from the discussion
guide for {\it Hot, Flat, and Crowded} developed by the 
publisher of the hardcover edition, Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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{\it Discussion Questions}
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\item{1.} Friedman begins by outlining three trends
that he says capture diverse American attitudes about
energy consumption, climate change, and biodiversity:
the ``dumb as we wanna be'' approach, the ``subprime
nation'' mentality of borrowing our way to prosperity,
and the ``nation building at home'' optimism of innovators 
who want to do what is right.  What are the key aspects 
of each?  Do you recognize these in yourself, your friends, 
your communities (where you grew up, here at Holy Cross)?
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\item{2.}  One might say that this book, written in 2007, is 
somewhat out of date now.  Would you agree?  What changed
very soon after this book came out?  Has the 
Obama administration that came into office in 2009 tried
to put policies like those Friedman proposes into place?  How
successful have those initiatives been? Have other really significant 
developments about the topics Friedman discusses occurred 
since then?  Are we any closer to addressing some of 
the problems he highlights? 
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\item{3.}  In this class we have looked at some
of the evidence, and the mathematical and statistical 
techniques scientists have used, to justify claims that 
climate change is real.  Why do you suppose that some
Americans have been so little convinced by 
this evidence?   Why is this still such a big
issue (especially for the Republican party)? 
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\item{4.}  Chapter 2 makes the distinction between 
``fuels from hell'' and ``fuels from heaven.''  How
is your life fueled by both categories?  What would 
it take to transition completely to the ``heavenly''
side?
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\item{5.}  Chapters 8 and 11 are really the heart of Friedman's 
argument.  And a major component of what he is saying is 
the notion that market demands drive innovation.  What
would it take to transform Americans' perceptions
so that the ``Code Green'' message is seen as a key
to prosperity?  Are there significant obstacles to 
that transformation at play in American society 
and politics at present?  If so, what are they?
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\item{6.}  Chapter 16 focuses on the differences
between China and the US.  This almost forces 
one to consider the following questions:  Can a democratic 
government successfully cope with the problems 
we are facing now?  Is the Chinese system superior?
What do you think?
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\item{7.}  What would be the consequences of
becoming a ``BANANA republic'' (p. 406) be?
Can we afford to let that happen?  Or is the US
in danger of becoming a ``real'' banana republic?
{\it Note}:  A number of the countries in 
Central America and the Caribbean (esp. Guatemala, Honduras,
and Jamaica) were called 
``banana republics'' during the late 19th and early-to-mid
20th century because they were ruled 
by corrupt ``elected'' officials and/or military dictatorships, 
under the domination of large US agricultural companies
such as the Dole Fruit Company (Dole pineapples) and the 
United Fruit Company (owner of the {\it Chiquita}
banana brand). 
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\item{8.}  One of Friedman's conclusions is that ``it 
is much more important to change your leaders than 
your lightbulbs.''  How do you think this will this play out in the
2012 Presidential election?  How will you decide who to 
vote for?  Will our probable ``hot, flat, and crowded''
future influence your choice? 
\bye
