EnglishSkillsOne by Dr Premanand M E

AEC - Science

Questioning the Universe - Stephen Hawking

2008-stephen-hawking-007-5000k.mp4

Existence of God: Hawking asserts that the laws of nature suffice to explain everything in the universe, and he dismisses the need for divine intervention.
Origin of the Universe: The cosmos emerged from nothing, as the positive energy balances perfectly with the negative energy of space.
Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures could melt ice caps, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and transforming our climate.
Nuclear Threat: In the next millennium, nuclear war or environmental catastrophe could severely impact Earth.
Nuclear Power: Clean energy from nuclear power remains a viable solution.
Artificial Intelligence: Hawking warns that AI might develop conflicting goals with humanity.
Genetically-Modified Humans: Creating superhumans with enhanced abilities could endanger others

Syllabus - AEC Science

Modules 1, 2, 3

Module 4

Above Pate Valley - Gary Snyder

Reading of the poem

We finished clearing the last

Section of trail by noon,

High on the ridge-side

Two thousand feet above the creek

Reached the pass, went on

Beyond the white pine groves,

Granite shoulders, to a small

Green meadow watered by the snow,

Edged with Aspen—sun

Straight high and blazing

But the air was cool.

Ate a cold fried trout in the

Trembling shadows. I spied

A glitter, and found a flake

Black volcanic glass—obsidian—

By a flower. Hands and knees

Pushing the Bear grass, thousands

Of arrowhead leavings over a

Hundred yards. Not one good

Head, just razor flakes

On a hill snowed all but summer,

A land of fat summer deer,

They came to camp. On their

Own trails. I followed my own

Trail here. Picked up the cold-drill,

Pick, singlejack, and sack

Of dynamite.

Ten thousand years.

Source: No Nature: New and Selected Poems (1992)

Gary Snyder’s poem “Above Pate Valley” paints a vivid picture of a mountainous landscape. Let’s delve into its essence.

The poem begins with the speaker and others clearing a trail, working their way up a ridge. They reach a pass, ascending to a green meadow watered by snowmelt. The sun blazes, but the air remains cool. Amidst this natural beauty, the speaker enjoys a cold fried trout in the shadows.

As they explore, the speaker discovers a flake of black volcanic glass (obsidian) near a flower. The landscape is rich with history—thousands of arrowhead leavings scattered over the hillside. Yet, there’s no pristine arrowhead; only razor flakes remain.

The poem evokes a sense of timelessness. The land has witnessed ten thousand years of human presence. The speaker follows their own trail, picking up tools like a cold-drill, pick, singlejack, and dynamite—symbols of both labor and destruction.

In this wilderness, where summer snows persist, fat deer roam, and ancient trails intersect, the poem captures the essence of human connection to nature and the passage of time. Snyder’s words invite us to contemplate our place within this vast landscape. 🌿🏔️

The Last Stand

THE LAST STAND for Trees is about saving the world's last remaining ancient forests. Using the flash-point of British Columbia's "Battle for the Trees" at FAIRY CREEK- the documentary examines the importance of keeping intact forest ecosystems: here in North America, the Amazon and around the world. Experts like Wade Davis and Leila Salazar-Lopez speak about the impact trees/plants have on our atmosphere, including Carbon sequestration and providing Oxygen for us to breathe.The film reveals the complexity of issues facing the world: the need to protect habitat, while balancing economies and jobs, while also recognizing the rights of First Nations' people controlling resources in their territories. Finally, The Last Stand for Trees looks at solutions...both from cutting edge Silicon Valley companies building carbon-retaining technology, to things average citizens can do, to help save jungles/forests and the Planet.

Directed by: Peter von Puttkamer

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse