CEE 181 MIDTERM EXAM UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
Questions about birthing Neanderthals are not a silly waste of time because - ANS the
technology is nearly ready, but the moral and ethical implications are only starting to be
discussed
What is valid reason why someone would birth a Neanderthal? - ANS Because birthing a
Neanderthal would generate instant notoreity and fame.
The rat-brained robot is a cyborg. - ANS True
The idea that humans are a design space and, for example, are being wired up with robotic
extensions, is important to discuss because - ANS it forces us to consider what being human
really means
As discussed in this lecture, augmented cognition or "augcog" is - ANS an integration of
humans and information technology (e.g., computers and networks) that enables humans to
function more effectively in the increasingly technology-enabled world in which we live
The future of humankind is shaped by evolving technology, but technology is not changing by
itself. Importantly, so are: - ANS human values and culture
The rat brain robot reminds us - ANS that the integration of biology and machine is closer
than you may think and may have been here all along....
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,The inequalities which economists term "the Great Divergence": - ANS Is indicative of a
complex interaction of economics, technology, and culture
The Great Divergence occurred because: - ANS Economic advancement came quickly to
technology-enabled societies, whereas societies without technology did not advance at a
similar rate.
Most science historians are likely to agree that the most important "event" in human history is
the Industrial Revolution. - ANS True
The efficiency of modern industrial agriculture is required - ANS to feed the large and
growing human population
There is very likely no connection between technology and the number of humans that can
survive on planet earth. - ANS False
What is the primary reason that suggests Phoenix does not have to worry about its water
supply for the foreseeable future? - ANS Phoenix has water rights associated with its
agricultural activities.
What sector in the United States consumes the most water? - ANS The agricultural sector
"Embedded water" is an idea that helps us assess environmental impact by estimating -
ANS The amount of water used to produce commonly used and traded items
When we consider resources like fresh water and phosphorus, it's better to consider it a "price
point" issue than it is to fear that we will "run out. - ANS True
The major branches of geoengineering include (select all that apply): - ANS Solar radiation
management
Carbon capture and sequestration
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Among the reasons the "climate change" debate is so fractious are: - ANS There are still
significant differences of opinion about how much climate change is natural, and how much is
caused by human impacts.
Developed countries cannot simply tell developing countries to stop burning fossil fuels.
Some oversimplify and view it as a problem to be solved instead of a condition to be managed
Which of these are approaches to solar radiation management? - ANS high altitude reflective
balloons and sulfur-seeded clouds to increase albedo
Once technology exists that can control carbon levels in the atmosphere the true problem
surfaces because now we must come to agreement on what kind of world we want. -
ANS True
Which of the following earth systems are independent of the carbon cycle? - ANS None
Managing earth systems in the Anthropocene involves far more than climate change. -
ANS True
Burning biofuels seems like a great way to exploit carbon-based fuels while approaching net
zero increase in atmospheric carbon until you remember: - ANS Even if the biofuel is from a
non-food source, it usually requires fairly intensive care to optimize production.
Growing biomass for fuel implicates Nitrogen in fertilizer use (which comes through an energy
intensive process).
Phosphorus is used in fertilizers and must be mined.
The polarization in public debate over topics like climate change helps to clarify the arguments
and establish clear "sides". - ANS False
Despite the fact that humans are responsible for mobilizing under 10% of the carbon on earth
(compared to 90% of the iron!), it is vital to remember that: - ANS Almost all of the human-
mobilized portion ends up in the atmosphere.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
Questions about birthing Neanderthals are not a silly waste of time because - ANS the
technology is nearly ready, but the moral and ethical implications are only starting to be
discussed
What is valid reason why someone would birth a Neanderthal? - ANS Because birthing a
Neanderthal would generate instant notoreity and fame.
The rat-brained robot is a cyborg. - ANS True
The idea that humans are a design space and, for example, are being wired up with robotic
extensions, is important to discuss because - ANS it forces us to consider what being human
really means
As discussed in this lecture, augmented cognition or "augcog" is - ANS an integration of
humans and information technology (e.g., computers and networks) that enables humans to
function more effectively in the increasingly technology-enabled world in which we live
The future of humankind is shaped by evolving technology, but technology is not changing by
itself. Importantly, so are: - ANS human values and culture
The rat brain robot reminds us - ANS that the integration of biology and machine is closer
than you may think and may have been here all along....
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,The inequalities which economists term "the Great Divergence": - ANS Is indicative of a
complex interaction of economics, technology, and culture
The Great Divergence occurred because: - ANS Economic advancement came quickly to
technology-enabled societies, whereas societies without technology did not advance at a
similar rate.
Most science historians are likely to agree that the most important "event" in human history is
the Industrial Revolution. - ANS True
The efficiency of modern industrial agriculture is required - ANS to feed the large and
growing human population
There is very likely no connection between technology and the number of humans that can
survive on planet earth. - ANS False
What is the primary reason that suggests Phoenix does not have to worry about its water
supply for the foreseeable future? - ANS Phoenix has water rights associated with its
agricultural activities.
What sector in the United States consumes the most water? - ANS The agricultural sector
"Embedded water" is an idea that helps us assess environmental impact by estimating -
ANS The amount of water used to produce commonly used and traded items
When we consider resources like fresh water and phosphorus, it's better to consider it a "price
point" issue than it is to fear that we will "run out. - ANS True
The major branches of geoengineering include (select all that apply): - ANS Solar radiation
management
Carbon capture and sequestration
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Among the reasons the "climate change" debate is so fractious are: - ANS There are still
significant differences of opinion about how much climate change is natural, and how much is
caused by human impacts.
Developed countries cannot simply tell developing countries to stop burning fossil fuels.
Some oversimplify and view it as a problem to be solved instead of a condition to be managed
Which of these are approaches to solar radiation management? - ANS high altitude reflective
balloons and sulfur-seeded clouds to increase albedo
Once technology exists that can control carbon levels in the atmosphere the true problem
surfaces because now we must come to agreement on what kind of world we want. -
ANS True
Which of the following earth systems are independent of the carbon cycle? - ANS None
Managing earth systems in the Anthropocene involves far more than climate change. -
ANS True
Burning biofuels seems like a great way to exploit carbon-based fuels while approaching net
zero increase in atmospheric carbon until you remember: - ANS Even if the biofuel is from a
non-food source, it usually requires fairly intensive care to optimize production.
Growing biomass for fuel implicates Nitrogen in fertilizer use (which comes through an energy
intensive process).
Phosphorus is used in fertilizers and must be mined.
The polarization in public debate over topics like climate change helps to clarify the arguments
and establish clear "sides". - ANS False
Despite the fact that humans are responsible for mobilizing under 10% of the carbon on earth
(compared to 90% of the iron!), it is vital to remember that: - ANS Almost all of the human-
mobilized portion ends up in the atmosphere.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
