Definitions/Concepts

So, was snowing little bitty flakes today. Made everything that much more beautiful. Did a lot of walking and it gets painful to walk. I feel so old.

Supposedly there was a person last week that contracted bacterial meningitis; heard through the grapevine that she died today. In the newspaper for today, it said she was in critical condition last time they checked. How sad, so so sad. It's one of those diseases that sneaks up on you and takes you in less than 48 hours. Sounds like something that would happen in the tropics, not Wisconsin. Unsettling...

I hate being poor. I feel so pathetic. I know I shouldn't "because I'm in college", but compared to what I've had in my bank account to now, I feel sooo awful. Doesn't help that I can't really fall back on anyone to help me with it either. My dad suggested that I come back and work on the weekends, but with the academic situation I am in, this is not possible. I'm already taking the fewest number of credits and my ability to handle stress is shot.

In my Environmental Conservation class discussion we discuss what the term "wilderness" meant. If you really think about it, what is it defined as? Most people, at least in America, think it was before Europeans came and civilized everything. But with the phrase, just labels "the wilderness and the Native Americans as primative, and is somewhat racist and Europeanistic of us to think this. If Wilderness is defined as before Native Americans (whom actually altered the landscape a lot), then fine. Not just North American Natives, but South Americans too.
This sort of brings up the "Are humans evil then?" "Is this a battle of the worlds? Human-world vs. non-human world?" Are humans bad for the earth? Do we, ever since the beginning of time, destroy the earth? Would you even use the term "destroy"?

Ever since the 1800's, humans have had this idea of "reverting back to the wilderness". Why do we feel the need to go back to the "wild"? Most religious people say it's a spiritual retreat, thinking that their lives are so complicated and coming to nature is much simpler and no problems. Even today, why do so many people try to get back to nature, and become more "green"? Maybe it's the "I'm better than thou" concept. People like John Muir and Aldo Leopold are recognized for being the pioneers of conservation and being better than most because of their dedication. I really don't know. If we try to recycle, conserve, reduce, then that will make us appear as better than everyone else because we are trying the hardest. It's almost as if everyone wants to be The Hero and ANYONE can accomplish it under the correct circumstances. Even with TV, Millionaire can be applied to anyone and it gives everyone an equal opportunity to all, and gives everyone a chance to have their fame, if you will. We want to be recognized by everyone.

Is a building a bad thing? The materials are from nature, so what makes it bad? The fact we are destroying habitats? or would this've happened with fire, or flood? Is this just the way we think of it; as it humans are bad and all we do is evil?

The idea of a State park is to show preserved land that is "untouched by humans". But when you go to Yellowstone or Yosemite there are stores, roads, inns and railings. It is very humanized. Is this contradictory? To manage and keep up nature? Since when has nature need to be kept up?
I don't think nature should be put on display like that. Would you show off animals in a circus? (I wouldn't), so why would you with nature on a grander scale? Yes, we should inform the public with tours and guides, but not with development and shaping it.

Don't question nature. It's handled itself for quite some time and who are we (22,000 years in the making), to try and overcome it? Stop putting up railings, touristy spots and let nature do its thing. You're pissing it off and it will come back with vengeance whether it be fire, flood or earthquake.

Personally, I see humans as apart of the earth. We need to learn to coexist with this system and not try to defeat it. It IS impossible. Nature knows best and we are idiotic to think we are higher than it. The Native Americans tread pretty lightly on the earth. They didn't see the difference of "wilderness vs. civilization". This is a European/Christian concept. Don't quote me, but I think it has a verse in the Bible with you shall reign over the animals, or something like that. This is where this whole concept of "civilization" brewed. There is US and then there is the lower, non-human world.

If we can begin to think like the Native Americans, and not abuse the one place we can live, I think many more people will feel at ease and not have this notion of "reverting back to the wilderness".


Love the Earth, with all your heart.

Beth