Association Newsletter College of the Atlantic March 1983 Vol. 1, No. 2 HUMAN ECOLOGY AND BATH IRON WORKS Sally Morong In July of 1982, I was hired by the Bath Iron Works as an apprentice pipefitter. For better than half a year, I have been working in a highly industrial environment, the likes of which few COA people will probably experience. When I first discussed this job with COA people at the June association meeting in Boston last year, the reaction was generally of surprise and curiosity. It is an unusual occupation for a human ecologist. And in that vein, some of you have asked me how I can relate a lifestyle of human ecology to the construction of weapons of war, namely, the guided missile frigate. The question is an excellent one, and I don't pretend to have all the answers to argue or to defend this decision. In this short essay, I hope only to share some thoughts I have on this. First, I haven't resolved in myself the dilemma between these two seemingly opposite camps. My feelings are still a mixed bag. To relate even remotely the building of weapons to human ecology, I put forth the argument that those who are not strong enough or skilled enough to defend themselves are overcome. In the forest, the weak are eaten; among nations, the weak are occupied, a political consumption. I believe strongly in defense. Part of my mixed bag of feelings, however, comes in recognizing that those who decide on defense also have the power to decide on offense. But a show of strength can maintain the peace, as was exhibited this past month in the Middle East. The United States sent some war vessels into the Red Sea just to "cruise around", but it was enough to deter the Libyans from attacking the Sudan. This does not solve the problems between the two countries, but does keep the doors open for negotiations. Similarly, between members of the same species, a show of strength impresses inferior members, and they cow down and behave submissively. Accordingly, the superior beast refrains from injuring the supplicating individual. No blood is shed. In the event of conflict, individuals usually resort to the infliction of minor flesh wounds. It appears that humans are the only species that have devised the idea of democracy (and not all of them, at that), since the ecological ways of the world seem to indicate that an order of hierarchy is needed to keep the superior genes of a species at the forefront. But humans keep coming up with new ideas and strive for the freedom to express them. My interest in the American Revolution remains quite strong, not because of the strife and bloodshed it created, but for the development of an opposing philosophy and culture different from anything the Old World had ever imagined could exist and which shapes our lives today. Although England was not an especially bad ruler over the Colonies, she was ignorant of the changes in the needs and attitudes of the Colonies. Old World attitudes and lifestyles simply could not always apply to New World situations. The Colonists had settled a wilderness, which took initiative and imagination, not to mention the prerequisite courage and strength of mind and body. The extreme remoteness of the Colonies from the mother country necessitated their ability to make major decisions on their own. (It was no accident that many of our country's greatest thinkers lived contemporaneously during that period of time.) The Revolution was not so much a defense of material things as it was a defense of new philosophical beliefs and tenets. What revolution has ever been different? Back to BIW: In a way, I have made a compromise with myself in working at Bath Iron Works. The apprenticeship program is three years long, and when I have graduated, I will have a journeyman's license, which will mean that I am qualified to do industrial or commercial pipefitting anywhere in the country. I feel at this time that it is worth my while to gain this trade to improve my employability. With today's economy, the more things a person can do, the more likely he is to remain employed. Will I stay at the Iron Works? I can't say for sure; right now, I am looking ahead only as far as the completion of my apprenticeship. I must add, too, that the experience of working in a highly industrial environment is an important addition to my awareness of life for many people. I am gaining first-hand experience with the physical distresses that blue-collar workers deal with every day, which pose serious problems for thousands of workers all over the country; air laden with welding smoke, steel dust, fiberglass, epoxy paint dust and fumes, fumes from brazing, gouging, and cutting, and a host of other contaminants. Noise is among the more serious environmental assaults on the human body. It is hard to imagine the levels of noise that can be attained by the operation of blowers, cutting wheels, the grinding and chipping of metal as it is prepared for fabrication, the engines of tools and machines and vehicles, the testing of equipment and lines, and the "pinging" of sonar testing, among a myriad of other things. Most distressing is the careless attitude of many, many employees about the effects of these distresses upon their bodies, particularly the airborne contaminants. Very few use respirators, although they are available. These people do not feel immediate effects of steel particles in their lungs, so they think nothing of it. I am enjoying the work itself, the actual hands-on experience in working with pipe, learning the use of machines and tools, and how metals respond to different handling. I often work with older employees, who know hundreds of tricks of the trade that no book could ever explain. The people I have met are fascinating, as well. Contrary to popular belief, blue-collar workers are not the rubble of civilization. Granted, some employees are poorly educated or exhibit little intelligence. But most people I have met have achieved some degree of education, usually at least high school, and many with college and graduate degrees. I know former airplane pilots, actors, teachers, technicians, foresters, resort managers, writers, architects -- you name it, they work here. Others have no more than a gradeschool education, yet have educated themselves to a high level of professionalism through their work. There is something to be learned from all of them. I have not experienced any kind of harassment or discrimination because of my sex, although the guys like to joke around. I like a good joke as well as anyone, and even had the honor of having my feet painted green upon leaving a certain section of the yard. Male or female, if you can't take it as well as you can dish it out, they'11 plague you endlessly on it. I cannot go into more detail in the short space of this essay, but I hope to continue to share with you my thoughts and experiences in this field, and I hope those of you who feel moved to respond will do so, to comment on my statements, or to ask more questions. Sally Morong COA '76 2