Alan Weisman Quotes

United States, Author
March 24, 1947

Alan H. Weisman is an American author, professor, and journalist. Weisman was born on March 24, 1947, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Up until 8th grade he loved science but his science teacher hated him, and this English teacher loved him. So he changed to become a journalist. He holds a bachelor's degree in literature and a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. From 2004 to 2013 he was Laureate Professor in Journalism and Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona, where he led an annual field program in international field journalism. He has also taught writing and journalism at Prescott College and Williams College and has been a Fulbright Scholar in Colombia.

Also known as Professor, Journalist

The real people who hold our civilization together are the maintenance people. If it weren't for them - pumping water out of subways, painting bridges to keep from rusting, fixing a steam pipe that is 70 years old - we'd be sunk. If we got rid of all the politicians and the policymakers in the world, the world would keep going. If you get rid of maintenance people, the whole thing breaks down.

Alan Weisman
In a future that portends stronger and more-frequent hurricanes striking North America's Atlantic coast, ferocious winds will pummel tall, unsteady structures. Some will topple, knocking down others. Like a gap in the forest when a giant tree falls, new growth will rush in. Gradually, the asphalt jungle will give way to a real one.

Alan Weisman
- Future
- Hurricanes

Most people would rather not hear about the environment because it's scary, so my goal was to write something that was readable so that people would learn a lot and not be so depressed that they would throw the book away.

Alan Weisman
- People
- Write
- Readable
Change is the hallmark of nature. Nothing remains the same.

Alan Weisman
- Nature
- Change
- Remains
But the Earth holds ghosts, even of entire nations.

Alan Weisman
- Earth
- Nations
- Ghosts
Without us, Earth will abide and endure; without her, however, we could not even be.

Alan Weisman
- Earth
- Could Be
In the day after humans disappear, nature takes over and immediately begins cleaning house - our houses.

Alan Weisman
- Nature
- House
- Cleaning
Nobility is expensive, nonproductive, and parasitic, siphoning away too much of society’s energy to satisfy its frivolous cravings.

Alan Weisman
- Society
- Energy
- Nobility

The worst happens, and life still goes on.

Alan Weisman
- Life
- Happens
- Worst
For years, I have been looking for a way to look at the whole global environmental situation, which I have the privilege and burden of covering. And I wanted to give people a way to do something about it.

Alan Weisman