As the fuel resources were abundantly found, every sector was found running successfully and easily. Factories, industries, transportation, great organisations, etc. were in proper condition. People didn’t have a problem of scarcity of fuel resources. But slowly and gradually population growth increased and brought bad consequences. Agricultural lands occupied by huge buildings and industries. Also, the number of vehicles also increased. Due to the maximum use of the resources, human life has been in discomfort. Human beings feel that their lives are really unsecured. They always have a fear that they will lose work and food. They think that they are themselves responsible for causing scarcity of resources.
Asimov focuses on the decreasing resources of fuel in the world. The life will be full of struggle without fuel resources. This world will slowly go dark, as less lighting bulbs will be there in the streets. Electrical appliances will be used less as there will also be a scarcity of electricity. Even luxurious provisions and equipment will be impossible. More time will be taken to do simple work also as there won’t be any vehicle running in the streets. There will be difficulty in transportation and accumulation of required foodstuffs. Due to the shortage of food, people will die due to starvation and malnutrition.
Security forces will also be affected badly. Without the use of weapons, military forces will be useless. Their work will end because they can’t work without fuel. They use scientific weapons, which are operated with fuel and are very expensive. Only the technically strong countries will be able to exercise their military power if fuel is saved in time. Factory workers will be jobless as industries and factories will be closed. So, it will be very difficult for them to provide basic needs to their family also.
The writer tries to warn us from the devastating situation of this world in the coming future. If we are not serious at present only, we have to suffer a lot in the future. We must t understand the importance of nature and try to conserve it. The world is depending upon the trade and because of trade, the environment is being neglected. People are living in the cities and the environment of the cities is polluted. The major population of the world should be engaged to plant the trees to make a better world in the future. We cannot use the solar easily and even if we use, it cannot naturally help us. But if we preserve the jungle, our environment and energy will be improved.
Understanding (page 106)
1. What specific problem does Asimov focus on in this essay? Why does he consider this issue worth of attention?Ans. Asimov mainly focuses on the energy crisis in this essay along with its negative and positive effects towards everyone. He considers this issue a worth of attention because he wants the human race to understand the consequences for not properly utilizing the energy resources. He also wants to make sure that there would be the discovery of alternative sources of these depleting energy sources.
2. According to the author, what will be the advantages of the fuel crisis of 1997? The disadvantages?
Ans. According to the author, during the fuel crisis, there won't be any vehicular movement hence reducing air pollution. There won't be any crime taking place as criminals won't be having fuel to make their escape in their vehicles. Death rate would also go up bringing the population under control. But along with these advantages, he also mentions some of its disadvantages like people will be under total darkness due to lack of sources to lit up. People will have to work longer hours than usual. They will have to travel on crowded vehicles also.
3. In Asimov's essay, what is happening in the rest of the world as America struggles without fuel?
Ans. The rest of the world has scientist's who are advanced in research and are finding proper alternatives to the fuel crisis as America struggles to contain life with low level of fuel supply.
4. What does the author mean when he says, "the suburbs were born with the auto, lived with the auto, and are dying with the auto." (lines 49-50)
Ans. People go to urban area from the village for food facilities. When cities become crowded, people start to move towards suburb areas for peace. They move towards the suburbs because they can go there easily in their vehicles if there is lack of fuel, they will have less difficulties. Basically the author means to say that people of the suburbs were born and are used to machines, lived among the machine era and also are dying along with it due to lack of fuel.
5. Can you guess Asimov's opinion on the military establishment by his references in lines 103-109? What does he think of the armed forces in general? What should be their place in the society? How did you come to this conclusion?
Ans. According to Asimov, the military establishment of the USA are in the major part of the energy hit country. The armies would not dare to use up their limited supply of fuel. In general he thinks that the army would hardly use few of their tanks and weapons due to the fuel crisis.
⬅️ Previous Next ➡️
