The writer seems to implement a tone of fear in the reader. We see this throughout the text when the writer says, "Many dangers posed by living in a modern technological society are far more likely to cost us our lives" and "Rare comet or asteroid impacts may cost all of us our lives." These ideas of danger and death implement fear in the reader that would cause them to want to continue reading and have interest in what the literature may be about.
Answer: Online learning gives educators an opportunity to reach students who may not be able to enroll in a traditional classroom course and supports students who need to work on their own schedule and at their own pace. The quantity of distance learning and online degrees in most disciplines is large and increasing rapidly.