Analyzing My Text's Cultural Setting

The post below will be a collection of information I was able to find on where and when my text was published. I will also reflect on how the timing of the piece is significant to what the text's purpose is.

Longlivetheux. "DIKW Pyramid" 1/5/2015 via Wikipedia.
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Generic International License.  

The author of the text and interviewer in the podcast is Chris Mooney. He was born in Mesa, AZ in the late 1970's. The article was written in August 2015, and the podcast was published about a year ago. Both of these sources are very current and therefore because so much of the data presented is scientific, it is likely that the findings are still current and accurate.

What values, ideas, norms, beliefs, even laws of the culture play an important role in the text?
The text focuses on the environmental consequences of fracking. Much of the evidence used in the argument stems from a scientist from Cornell who worked with the oil and gas companies for years to extract hydrocarbons. In his interview he states that he is "vehemently against the use of shale to produce hydrocarbons." While his opinion is being treated as concrete and as an expert opinion, he is stating upfront his bias.

A lot of the information in the text and podcast is written about the eco-friendly nature of fracking. This belief in balancing the need for an energy source with minimal harm on the environment is the basis of the argument of fracking, and therefore is present in the text.

Does the text address these cultural values, beliefs, etc., directly or indirectly?
The belief in balancing the demand for energy with remaining green is directly addressed in the text as this is the point the text argues. However, the balance between the fracking companies remaining green and profitable is an issue that is mentioned only indirectly.

What is the relationship of the text to the values, beliefs, etc.? Does it seek to modify these aspects of the culture in a certain way?
The text is seeking to modify the belief that fracking is the answer to cleaner energy. It presents evidence of the negative effects that natural gas collected through fracking has on the environment.