There is a common belief that the dangers of overpopulation
will prevent humanity from progressing past a certain point. Scholars, from
centuries ago such as Thomas Malthus or from today, often support this theory
with graphs and research, but Erle C. Ellis condones those intellectuals. Ellis,
a biologist and associate professor of geography and environmental systems at
the University of Maryland, has admit to believing this idea himself, but after
realizing its flaws, he explains it as simple misconception of ecology. Ellis strives
to convince his audience of the error in this theory that human methods of
exploiting the planet’s resources will result in its demise. By portraying the original theory as stupid and
trivial, in the same way a school bully degrades children, Ellis bullies the
reader into believing his theory. Though this tactic may seem childish and shameful,
it is emotionally and logically effective in pointing out the flaws in any mindset
besides Ellis’s. Emphasizing the historical pattern, Ellis explains that humans
have manipulated nature since the beginning of time and it is that manipulation
that has sustained populations’ survival, therefore contradicting the theory
that humans must adapt to the fully natural environment. Logical thought is
Ellis’s primary approach to appealing to his audience, as that Ellis targets a
specific group of scholars. Referencing terms and people such as niche,
Anthropocene, and Thomas Malthus, specifies the audience to only a group of
educated people who would understand the allusion. This is both beneficial and
damaging to Ellis’s purpose: Ellis pled to scholars who would empathize and
perhaps agree with his opinion, but because Ellis wanted the theory to be
widespread and generally accepted, he fails to appeal to a wide enough
audience. However, if the theory against the danger of overpopulation were to
be accepted by scholars, it could be broadcast to the public. By specifying his
audience, Ellis limits the chances of his theory becoming common belief, and in
that aspect, Ellis fails to achieve his purpose.
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