Article Analysis Essay on There May Be Flowing Water on Mars but Is There Intelligent Life on Earth?

Introduction

The article "there May Be Flowing Water on Mars but Is There Intelligent Life on Earth?" is an educational as well as a self-critical piece by George Monbiot. The author has used various inferences, similes, compare, and contrast techniques to bring out his agenda. Monbiot states that even as we marvel at the discoveries that NASA has made, we are at the same time have been disregarding as well as destroying the natural resources that cannot be replaced here on earth. The article is excellent and informative because the author has presented evidence-based claims regarding the subject. I will explore a critical analysis of this article in this paper.

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Critical Analysis

Monbiot's have in the first paragraph opened by bringing about the contrasting truth of the evidence of the existence of water on Mars but states that at the same time, there are more searches of intelligent on the earth planet. This is a contrasting claim that shows despite the astonishing discoveries made of water on Mars; still, there is no much knowledgeable in the earth. He has probably used this contradictory statement perhaps to show how, despite the achievement of Mars water, there is enormous negligent by the human to conserve the already resources present on earth. Indeed, this exhibits faulty intelligence.

Monbiot continues and contrasts that there might be a captivating achievement in other planets but still neglect the already many things we may study here on earth like the ones in the Junior Oxford Dictionary. I believe this makes very much sense in the fact that humans tend to give much time, attention, and resources to what lies in the unseen world and at the same time, totally disregard exploring what is already there for human benefit. The result of this might be detrimental, as in the cases highlighted in the article, like environment issues.

Media Coverage and Environmental Issues

The author compares the media coverage on the issue of Madeleine McCann more than environmental issues. He points out that it is a tragic decline in the media coverage on the very problems that are of concern to the environment. He has used simile here to bring a comparison between the two media coverage of the two cases. This comparison is very crucial as it shows how the media's role has been misplaced and taken part in misinforming the people on the real and matters of the environment.

Inferences and Consequences of Neglect

Monbiot has used inference when he claims that freshwater that is on the earth is only three percent. He has then deduced that 60 % of the same is wasted in irrigations that he perceives is wastage. He then shows how this will result in rivers and lakes being dry and a disaster for freshwater for drinking as the remaining will only be contaminated. He has probably used this inference to show the possible consequences of neglect in the knowledge of our resources and then concentrating on the discoveries in other planets.

Contrasting Reactions to Discoveries on Mars and Earth

Besides, the author has used contrast by stating that when salty water is discovered on Mars, we are so captivated and enthralled. Still, when it is so earth, we only so our appreciation by the turmoil of destruction. It is such a new claim which shows the need for search of this knowledge on earth. I believe this claim is justified based on the example, and he gives about how humans have attempted to explore the deep see doing more harm to the fish than good. On the part of letting the market decide, Monbiot's statement that the conscience of the consumers is muted and that it is confused could be justified, though, to some extent, it is so generalized. Not all the consumer mind is contaminated as there are awakening individuals on the matter.

Monbiot has also used rhetoric when he asks what's the need for all the drillings and poisonings that have been happening on the earth. The rhetoric has expressed the author's deep concern to the leader on this matter. At the end of it, the author wants to bring the idea that there is no justification for this mess.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the article is persuasive enough as the author has supported his stand. The author has used a comprehensive approach in conjunction with literal devices like inferences, similes, and rhetoric to put out his ideas. The author has a good grasp and mastery of his subject, as shown by the references he has used.