“Norman Borlaug arguably the greatest American of the 20th century died late Saturday after 95 richly accomplished years. The very personification of human goodness, Borlaug saved more lives than anyone who has ever lived. He was America’s Albert Schweitzer: a brilliant man who forsook privilege and riches in order to help the dispossessed of distant lands. That this great man and benefactor to humanity died little-known in his own country speaks volumes about the superficiality of modern American culture.”I don't remember learning about Norman Borlaug in school. This 2000 interview gives you an idea what Borlaug did. Pej picks out an interesting segment. Jeff Jacoby calls him "the man who hated hunger".
American media culture, anyway.
I do remember learning a lot about Rachel Carson, whose theories turned out to be way off the mark. The application of those theories killed millions of poor people, notably pregnant women and children, in Africa and other third world countries. But she had good intentions and wrote well. Good intentions and effective persuasion are what count today, apparently.
Norman Borlaug "doesn't fit the narrative". A lot of people with good ideas today "don't fit the narrative". A lot of people who are actually taking action to do good "don't fit the narrative", either. We need to look beyond the news to see some of them. You may know a few right in your own neighborhood, or even in your own family.
p.s.: Rachel Carson wasn't the only ground-breaking environmentalist around during the same time period (and before). Another environmentalist who wrote well, and more temperately (at least in the essays I've read).
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