CEE 181 MIDTERM EXAM UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Questions about birthing Neanderthals are not a silly waste of time because - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Because
birthing a Neanderthal would generate instant notoreity and fame.
The rat-brained robot is a cyborg. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅True
The idea that humans are a design space and, for example, are being wired up with robotic extensions, is
important to discuss because - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅it forces us to consider what being human really
means
As discussed in this lecture, augmented cognition or "augcog" is - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅human values and culture
The rat brain robot reminds us - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅that the integration of biology and machine is
closer than you may think and may have been here all along....
The inequalities which economists term "the Great Divergence": - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Is indicative of
a complex interaction of economics, technology, and culture
The Great Divergence occurred because: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅True
,The efficiency of modern industrial agriculture is required - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅False
What is the primary reason that suggests Phoenix does not have to worry about its water supply for the
foreseeable future? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Phoenix has water rights associated with its agricultural
activities.
What sector in the United States consumes the most water? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The agricultural
sector
"Embedded water" is an idea that helps us assess environmental impact by estimating - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅True
The major branches of geoengineering include (select all that apply): - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Solar
radiation management
Carbon capture and sequestration
Among the reasons the "climate change" debate is so fractious are: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅True
Which of the following earth systems are independent of the carbon cycle? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅None
Managing earth systems in the Anthropocene involves far more than climate change. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅True
Burning biofuels seems like a great way to exploit carbon-based fuels while approaching net zero
increase in atmospheric carbon until you remember: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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". - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Almost all of the
human-mobilized portion ends up in the atmosphere.
The _______ world was responsible for the most global trading about 1000 years ago. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Islamic
The nation-state is a technology which evolved to: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Become the primary source
of authority in global affairs
Manage the complexity of merged people groups as a unit
Ensure recognition of sovereignty within artificial geo-political borders
Questions about birthing Neanderthals are not a silly waste of time because - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Because
birthing a Neanderthal would generate instant notoreity and fame.
The rat-brained robot is a cyborg. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅True
The idea that humans are a design space and, for example, are being wired up with robotic extensions, is
important to discuss because - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅it forces us to consider what being human really
means
As discussed in this lecture, augmented cognition or "augcog" is - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅human values and culture
The rat brain robot reminds us - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅that the integration of biology and machine is
closer than you may think and may have been here all along....
The inequalities which economists term "the Great Divergence": - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Is indicative of
a complex interaction of economics, technology, and culture
The Great Divergence occurred because: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅True
,The efficiency of modern industrial agriculture is required - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅False
What is the primary reason that suggests Phoenix does not have to worry about its water supply for the
foreseeable future? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Phoenix has water rights associated with its agricultural
activities.
What sector in the United States consumes the most water? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The agricultural
sector
"Embedded water" is an idea that helps us assess environmental impact by estimating - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅True
The major branches of geoengineering include (select all that apply): - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Solar
radiation management
Carbon capture and sequestration
Among the reasons the "climate change" debate is so fractious are: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅True
Which of the following earth systems are independent of the carbon cycle? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅None
Managing earth systems in the Anthropocene involves far more than climate change. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅True
Burning biofuels seems like a great way to exploit carbon-based fuels while approaching net zero
increase in atmospheric carbon until you remember: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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". - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Almost all of the
human-mobilized portion ends up in the atmosphere.
The _______ world was responsible for the most global trading about 1000 years ago. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Islamic
The nation-state is a technology which evolved to: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Become the primary source
of authority in global affairs
Manage the complexity of merged people groups as a unit
Ensure recognition of sovereignty within artificial geo-political borders
