Three Relevant Quotes from Silent Spring - Josh Kraskin

"Ultrasonic sound will kill all mosquito larvae in a laboratory tank; however, it kills other aquatic organisms as well." (Carson, p. 288)

This quotation is an example of how certain technologies can have other consequences aside from its desired effect. This relates to Carolyn Merchant's statement that "when humans use nonhuman nature [...] there are often unforeseen 'ecological' consequences.

"An investment in $4,000,000 in biological control work California has received a return of $100,000,000." (Carson, p. 292)

This statistic refers to David E. Nye's notions that investment in scientific research and the technological innovations that it brings about can have profound positive effects on the economy.

"The 'control of nature' is a phrase conceived in arrogance, born of the Neanderthal age of biology and philosophy, when it was supposed that nature exists for the convenience of man [...] It is our alarming misfortune that so primitive a science has armed itself with the most modern and terrible weapons, and that in turning them against the insects it has also turned them against the earth." (Carson, p. 297)

This statement is relevant to Merchant's explanation of how modern science is unfortunately similar to the European colonists perception of nature. This point of view states that man is above nature instead of a part of it, and has every right to manipulate his environment to fulfill his needs and desires.