The whirring of the server farm was a constant companion to Dr. Anya Sharma’s life. Her husband, Rohan, a renowned environmental scientist, found this constant hum deeply unsettling. Anya, a brilliant hardware engineer, was on the verge of a breakthrough in sustainable chip design, aiming to drastically reduce the environmental impact of data centers. Her work, however, involved long hours, often stretching into the night, leaving little time for her family. Rohan’s research focused on the ecological impact of e-waste, the discarded electronic devices that piled up in landfills across the globe. He frequently showed Anya images of overflowing junkyards filled with discarded circuit boards and screens, a stark visual representation of the environmental cost of her chosen field. He understood the importance of innovation, yet he struggled to reconcile Anya’s pursuit of technological advancement with the overwhelming evidence of its destructive side effects. Their once-harmonious relationship grew strained, punctuated by tense silences and disagreements about the ethical implications of her work. Anya, consumed by her research, initially dismissed Rohan’s concerns as overly pessimistic. She argued that her work held the key to a greener future, offering more energy-efficient technology that could significantly mitigate the environmental burden. She believed her innovative chips could pave the way for a more sustainable digital world. However, Rohan countered with data illustrating the rapidly growing demand for computing power, suggesting that even the most efficient technology couldn’t keep pace with the escalating rate of consumption. The tension reached a breaking point during a particularly heated argument. Anya, exhausted and frustrated, retorted that his criticism felt like an attack on her life’s work and her very identity. Rohan, equally worn down, expressed his fear that their shared future was being sacrificed at the altar of technological progress. The realization that their differing perspectives threatened the core of their relationship finally struck them both with painful clarity. They needed to find a way to bridge the gap between their passionate commitments – to innovation and to environmental protection – to preserve not only the planet but also their marriage.
1. What is the central conflict in the passage?
2. What is Rohan’s main concern regarding Anya’s work?
3. How does Anya initially respond to Rohan’s concerns?
4. What is the ultimate implication of the passage’s conclusion?