tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584840770244929.post5188933658172115173..comments2024-03-22T11:32:57.801-07:00Comments on The Alien Next Door: The Man in Asbestos by Krista PetersonNina Munteanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00311070435293186699noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584840770244929.post-5376294003173904492011-03-17T11:03:50.968-07:002011-03-17T11:03:50.968-07:00HAR! Jean-Luc! Good one...HAR! Jean-Luc! Good one...Nina Munteanuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00311070435293186699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584840770244929.post-58629218286495280332011-03-13T18:50:23.418-07:002011-03-13T18:50:23.418-07:00Leacock may have not known what exactly an asbesto...Leacock may have not known what exactly an asbestos can do to a human health,it is a great danger. But when used in many industries it is very useful, since the fiber of the asbestos are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and they do not conduct electricity.Asbestos plays a health hazard because when you inhale a single fiber and they may be trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long period of time,these fibers may accumulate the lungs and may cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to serious health problems such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.<br />If you have concerns with your fertility, I found this site that may be helpful.<br />http://www.natural-fertility-prescription.com/food infertilityhttp://www.natural-fertility-prescription.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584840770244929.post-73417222523063467052011-02-20T22:27:50.937-08:002011-02-20T22:27:50.937-08:00Thanks, Limberger, for your thoughtful comments. I...Thanks, Limberger, for your thoughtful comments. I'll let Krista respond.<br /><br />And thanks so much, Krista, for guest posting here!<br /><br />Best Wishes,<br />NinaNina Munteanuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00311070435293186699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584840770244929.post-73506757278538784612011-02-13T13:46:18.468-08:002011-02-13T13:46:18.468-08:00Krista you are spot on that society is paying for ...Krista you are spot on that society is paying for a grave mistake in the past where asbestos was embraced as a wonder material, just like many other things. The only thing that is different today is our ability to detect problems earlier and change course. Where problems with asbestos and cigarettes took decades to come to grips with, it now takes just a couple of years to determine that something is dangerous. <br /> <br />Today, we now take much longer to bring new solutions onboard due to extensive testing but we still have bad stuff getting out there. Conversely, some stuff gets taken off the market due to a suspected link to a piece of new technology only to come back once they figure out they didn't understand the real problem. <br /><br />Today we are faced with trying to solve problems while trying to balance extreme safety with development costs versus cost of future cleanup. In many cases we end up frozen in fear that if we are wrong we can't live with the mistake?<br /><br /><br />But, why so harsh on Stephen Leacock. <br /><br />Leacock's short story made me think more on the consequences of Marxist Philosophy (as in what K Marx believed). Leacock's notions of the future are allegorical representations of taking Marxist philosophy of total equality, non-materialist and complete freedom.<br /> <br />In 1911, Marxist philosophy was a hot topic of discussion amongst the intelligentsia. <br /> <br />Leacock's story takes the extension of total equality, the defeat of materialism and other social banes out to the Nth degree.<br />The narrator has a nightmare (not surprising given what he had for dinner) where he finds himself in a very bleak milieu. <br />The story also notes of the extent that government took to eliminate communication and travel.<br /> <br />A society so "perfect" that nobody has any joy. The population in Leacock's "future" bumble around, merely existing - zombie like.<br /> <br />The posting posits that Leacock was talking about the dangers of technology and the basic needs for health and community.<br /><br />From the point of view, the Man in Asbestos has learned that technology has eliminated all the stresses and problems that humanity faced. But technology is an allegory for the elimination of menial, labour intensive jobs and the elimination of those who profit from that labour. <br /><br />Ultimately, Leacock's short story is the age old warning - be careful what you wish for, you might not like what you get - Utopia isn't all that is made out to be. <br /> <br />The article seems to think that "the need for food was eliminated through extensive agriculture". Rather, agriculture and the attendant toil were eliminated when a chemical replacement for food was created - a pill taken once a year.<br /> <br />Leacock's story postulated the extreme endpoint of a world that embraced Marxist philosophy. A world where all were equal and taken care of, but lifeless.<br /> <br />The conclusion of the article "that human kind has stamped out all diseases, the very clothes he wears presents a significant health risk that he seems oblivious to", is disingenuous to Leacock's story. In that distant future where they cured old age, why wouldn't they have eliminated the danger that asbestos presented to them. The people of the "future" have lived with their asbestos suits without a problem.<br /><br />Fundamentally, this short story from 1911, isn’t a science fiction story, it is a satire of Marxist Philosophy and the goal of striving for an Utopian society.<br /><br />Regards from LimbergerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584840770244929.post-56333122222617380292011-02-13T08:36:39.240-08:002011-02-13T08:36:39.240-08:00That is sad, Danny Blooming...
I especially liked...That is sad, Danny Blooming...<br /><br />I especially liked Steve McQueen in "The Great Escape".Nina Munteanuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00311070435293186699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584840770244929.post-5971939466641792242011-02-12T07:23:17.399-08:002011-02-12T07:23:17.399-08:00From whatb we know now of asbestos, the Human Torc...From whatb we know now of asbestos, the Human Torch wouldn't need to do anything. Asbestos Man would drop dead just putting on his suit!Jean-Luc Picardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01689798190618944262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584840770244929.post-35340907935192324762011-02-12T04:00:43.367-08:002011-02-12T04:00:43.367-08:00great post, nice guest blogging.....i recently lea...great post, nice guest blogging.....i recently learned that actor Steve McQueen died at age 50, some 30 years ago, from abestos-caused cancer, when as a soldier in US army he had to clean out ship inside with lots of abestos to breathe, in 30 years later he died from thsi kind of cancer....SAD.<br /><br />danny bloomingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com