End of the world

IDST 390: The Ends of the World

Reflective Writing #4: Nuclear and Human-made Ends

After engaging with this week’s readings, please respond to the following items.

1. Discuss how potential scientific ends are similar to and connect with the religious ends we studied in the first two weeks of this course. Consider their methods, messages, and motivations, then answer the following questions. And, again, at the risk of over-communication, you are now engaging in the combining of disciplinary insights. This is IDST in action! Recognize that you are combining various disciplinary and/or cultural insights to fashion a more comprehensive understanding of The End.

a. Discuss one important are religious and scientific doomsayers differ from one another.

b. Now, discuss one important way they are similar.

c. In one of the instructor videos, I noted that, “all humans are the ‘religious type.’” What do I mean by this? Do you agree or disagree? (No extra points for agreeing or disagreeing! I am looking for conversation here)

2. Briefly discuss how early-to-mid-20th century technology, World War II, and the atomic bomb helped foster a shift from a “God-centered” version of The End to more secular versions of The End. Draw from the readings to support your explanation.

3. Consider the Yale/George Mason survey on how Americans think about climate change.

a. What is the most important data point here?

b. How does this connect to at least one reading from a past week in the course?

4. Discuss at least two important insights gleaned from the “1918 Flu” Throughline podcast that helps shed light on the current COVID-19 pandemic.

5. What would you deem the primary takeaway from this week? Explain with support from the readings.

6. Feel free to add any other reflections here. [OPTIONAL]