By Alex Serratelli ’12, Staff Writer

Every fall Newark Academy’s own Mr. Parlin gives a morning meeting presentation on issues that he sees as relevant, often reiterating the theme of progress. This year, his focus was on changes that he has personally seen in the world, mainly in Egypt, in the environment, and in farming. The format of his presentation was slightly altered this time around, with two students and a teacher responding to his claims.

When speaking of Egypt, Mr. Parlin contrasted the poverty that he has seen there in previous visits with the rise of the new middle class. Mr. Parlin recalled the use of the shadoof irrigation device in the Egypt of the 1960s. Last spring he was surprised to discover that the traditional shadoof had been replaced by the electric pump; what had previously been backbreaking labor is now no longer an issue. Although it appears that a significant middle class is appearing, “there is still poverty in Egypt,” said Mr. Parlin, “and about one-sixth of the global population lives in poverty.”

On the topic of environmental issues, Mr. Parlin discussed changes closer to home in the Hudson River and Ti Creek, both located in New York. He noted that both waterways were sanitized due to legislation at the federal level. On several accounts, Mr. Parlin mentioned the aphorism frequently attributed to Thomas Jefferson, used today in defense of governmental inaction: “that government is best which governs least.” In response, he contended, “I haven’t seen this in my lifetime.” He holds to the belief that the role of the federal government can be positive and even necessary when regulating the environmental impact of corporations.

In the final part of his presentation, Mr. Parlin discussed the transformation of the non-mechanized farms of yesteryear to the modern-day farms of the American Midwest. The major change he has seen, apart from size difference, is the application of the scientific method to farming. Today, farmers genetically engineer their crops, substantially increasing crop yields. The difficulties with this process are that engineering combined with the use of chemical fertilizers can cause pollution and other possible unforeseen consequences. For instance, as Mr. Parlin noted, one corn alteration resulted in the disappearance of many monarch butterflies. He recognized that genetic farming has problems, but that “we can’t go back to horse farms! We must balance the hope to feed humanity with modern techniques.”

In response to his presentation, Physics teacher Mr. Bitler gave a brief speech. He summarized his main points by stating that “I support the idea of giving ideological morning meeting presentations, but students should have an alternative viewpoint, adequately expressed.”

Regardless of one’s beliefs on the government, economy, or ecosystem, Mr. Parlin’s annual speech is a staple of Newark Academy culture. It is one of the many ways to learn from the  traveled, knowledgeable members of our faculty, the foremost of whom is Mr. Parlin himself.