Analyzing My Text's Cultural Setting

This post will be analyzing the cultural settings of the text I have chosen, and will answer the following questions as found on page 79 of Writing Public Lives.

York, Chelsea. "Screenshot from my computer". October 2, 2015.

"What in the World Are They Spraying" was originally published on October 22, 2010 by Truth Media Productions. Writer Michael J. Murphy from Los Angeles, California and writer G. Edward Griffin from Detroit, Michigan wrote this documentary in response to an annual convention held by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). At this particular convention, many engineers and scientists focused on the effects of geoengineering and engaged in many debates.

What values, ideas, norms, beliefs, even laws of the culture play an important role in the text?

The two sort of cultural ideas that were present throughout the text were about human health and the impact of the government. It is a common belief that the government should care about the future of its people, and that they should focus on bettering the earth. At the same time it seems that human health trumps over the health of the earth and is the primary concern.

Does the text address these cultural values, beliefs, etc., directly or indirectly?

The documentary addresses these values both directly and indirectly. In most instances pertaining to the government, Murphy addresses these values directly. However, the impact on human health is about half directly addressed and half indirectly addressed. There are times where Murphy explains the adverse health effects caused by geoengineering, and other times where he eludes to the fact that they are a problem.

What is the relationship of the text to the values, beliefs, etc.? Is it critical of these aspects of the culture? Is it supportive? Does it seek to modify these aspects of the culture in a certain way?

The relationship between the documentary and the culture is direct. It would seem that, throughout our nation's existence, there has always been a large debate over how the government goes about addressing certain (aka most) issues. What the public wants most is for their concerns to be addressed and for legislation to not have a substantial effect on the financial aspects of life. The text seeks to reinforce these notions by emphasizing the impact it will have on the health of society, as well as the financial aspects of aerosol spraying.