Air - without it, life on Earth would cease to exist.
It is invisible and yet always present in one way or
another, and so people have long associated air with
flight, spirit, transcendence and optimism. But as
humans have progressively taken control of air through
communications, warfare, travel and scientific
exploration, the perception of air has changed. No
longer is air a completely reliable part of our daily
life but is instead another piece of the environment
that must be watched closely for quality and purity. The
Matter of Air investigates the meanings of air over the
last three centuries, including our modern concern over
emissions and climate change. Our concern is clearly not
unfounded: from the impact of nitrous oxide to
development of gas heating and lighting, humans have
undeniably had an effect on the atmosphere. Eminent
author Steven Connor looks at this effect by exploring
radio atmospherics and poison gas, as well as the fear
of air pollution caused by cremation, and the worry over
haze. The book also discusses our growing fascination
with air and aerial process through the allure of
effervescence and the development of explosives.The
Matter of Air presents a cultural approach to the
history of air, drawing from religion, science, art,
literature and philosophy to create a comprehensive
history of the human perception of air. Thoroughly
researched and written with wit and joy, the book will
appeal to any reader interested in pollution, natural
and human history, and the relationship between human
beings and air |
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