Abbey-pg.105-106
Qoute- "It was a small and little-known canyon, to be sure, with a tiny stream coursing down its bed, meandering in lazy bights over the sand, lolling in pools under the acid-green leafery of the cottonwoods, falling over lip of stone into basin below, barely enough water even in spring to sustain a resident population of spotted toads, red-winged dragonflies, a snake or two, a few canyon wrens, nothing special...yet Hayduke he demurred; he didn't want a bridge here, ever; he liked this little canyon...he saw no need for a bridge."
Response- Although Hayduke recognized how unimportant this little canyon might seem to others, he gave it importance. His vivid and detailed description brings the little canyon to life. Hayduke recognized that even though this little canyon did not serve a very important purpose it did not deserve to be overlooked. The mentality that when something does not serve a grand purpose it can be killed or ignored is very common in our society. This mentality has caused many problems. A cycle of irresponsiblity can begin to form because the small things are ignored without realizing that those small things can lead to bigger things. Small things like fixing a leaky faucet or turning off the light when leaving a room do make a difference. People use the excuse, "How can one person make a difference?" One person can make a difference, because it only takes one person to start the chain of change. This is why I liked Hayduke's comment about the little canyon because it describes some, not all of society's mentality. If it does not produce money; cover, kill or ignore it.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
How Long She'll Last In This World
Melendez
Poem- Art of Combat
Response- It can be argued that this poem about a female boxer is completely disconnected from the enviornmental literature we have read in class. It was difficult to make a conncection to any of the authors, but on closer observation the boxer reminded me of a scene from John Muir's book where he describes his confrontation with a Bruin bear. "...he stood his ground ready to fight and defend himself, lowered his head, thrust it forward, and looked sharply and fiercely at me...we stood staring at each other in solemn silence...while I fervently hoped that the power of the human eye over beasts would prove as great as it is said to be." The boxer's determination to intimidate her opponent is close to the Bruin's determination to hold his ground. The confrontation between animal and man is like a confrontation between humans. Each attempts to break down the opponent by intimidation while secretly harboring fears of the other. The bear, although bigger than the man, still feared the stranger. There must have been a certain amount of anxiety building up in the bear's brain just as the boxer was experiencing in preparation for the battle.
Poem- Art of Combat
Response- It can be argued that this poem about a female boxer is completely disconnected from the enviornmental literature we have read in class. It was difficult to make a conncection to any of the authors, but on closer observation the boxer reminded me of a scene from John Muir's book where he describes his confrontation with a Bruin bear. "...he stood his ground ready to fight and defend himself, lowered his head, thrust it forward, and looked sharply and fiercely at me...we stood staring at each other in solemn silence...while I fervently hoped that the power of the human eye over beasts would prove as great as it is said to be." The boxer's determination to intimidate her opponent is close to the Bruin's determination to hold his ground. The confrontation between animal and man is like a confrontation between humans. Each attempts to break down the opponent by intimidation while secretly harboring fears of the other. The bear, although bigger than the man, still feared the stranger. There must have been a certain amount of anxiety building up in the bear's brain just as the boxer was experiencing in preparation for the battle.
A Sand County Almanac
Leopold pg. 36
Qoute- "The woodcock is a living refutation of the theory that the utility of a game bird is to serve as a target, or to pose gracefully on a slice of toast. No one would rather hunt woodcock in October than I, but since learning of the sky dance I find myself calling one or two birds enough. I must be sure that, come April, there be no dearth of dancers in the sunset sky."
Response- This statement is discussing only the woodcock, however it can be applied to any creature or the enviornment. After learning of the sky dance performed by the woodcock, the author gained a new apprecation for the bird. Appreciation can also mean that he became a little more educated about the creature. The hunter can rationalize that they are killing an animal for some reason other than sport, but do they truly have a good reason. A student in class mentioned how there is no need to go out and kill since there is food readily available at the grocery store. Yes, there is no need to go out hunting for our food, but someone had to have done so to provide it to the store. The reality is that much of society consumes meat and it is difficult to change everyone. Yet, if society is provided the opportunity to be educated about the enviornment and the creatures living in it, a hunter or two may stop and think before shooting.
Qoute- "The woodcock is a living refutation of the theory that the utility of a game bird is to serve as a target, or to pose gracefully on a slice of toast. No one would rather hunt woodcock in October than I, but since learning of the sky dance I find myself calling one or two birds enough. I must be sure that, come April, there be no dearth of dancers in the sunset sky."
Response- This statement is discussing only the woodcock, however it can be applied to any creature or the enviornment. After learning of the sky dance performed by the woodcock, the author gained a new apprecation for the bird. Appreciation can also mean that he became a little more educated about the creature. The hunter can rationalize that they are killing an animal for some reason other than sport, but do they truly have a good reason. A student in class mentioned how there is no need to go out and kill since there is food readily available at the grocery store. Yes, there is no need to go out hunting for our food, but someone had to have done so to provide it to the store. The reality is that much of society consumes meat and it is difficult to change everyone. Yet, if society is provided the opportunity to be educated about the enviornment and the creatures living in it, a hunter or two may stop and think before shooting.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
My First Summer in Sierra
Muir Pg.20
Quote- "...roads blasted in the solid rock, wild streams dammed and tamed and turned out of their channels and led along the sides of canyons and valleys to work in mines like slaves...These are the white man's marks made in a few feverish years, to say nothing of mills, fields, villages, scattered hundreds of miles along the flank of the Range. Long will it be ere these marks are effaced, though Nature is doing waht she can, replanting, gardening, sweeping away old dams and flumes, leveling gravel and boulder piles, patiently trying to heal every raw scar."
Response- Muir's statement demonstrates his disapointment with the white man, but it also shows his trust in nature. The statement is almost a cautionary statement for future societies. Nature can replenish itself after being mutilated, but it takes time. Muir's trust in nature might have proved to be more true during his time. The enviornmental issues that our society faces today are a continuation of those marks Muir believed the white man made and perhaps the damage will be too much for nature to handle.
Quote- "...roads blasted in the solid rock, wild streams dammed and tamed and turned out of their channels and led along the sides of canyons and valleys to work in mines like slaves...These are the white man's marks made in a few feverish years, to say nothing of mills, fields, villages, scattered hundreds of miles along the flank of the Range. Long will it be ere these marks are effaced, though Nature is doing waht she can, replanting, gardening, sweeping away old dams and flumes, leveling gravel and boulder piles, patiently trying to heal every raw scar."
Response- Muir's statement demonstrates his disapointment with the white man, but it also shows his trust in nature. The statement is almost a cautionary statement for future societies. Nature can replenish itself after being mutilated, but it takes time. Muir's trust in nature might have proved to be more true during his time. The enviornmental issues that our society faces today are a continuation of those marks Muir believed the white man made and perhaps the damage will be too much for nature to handle.
Beyond The Hundredth Meridian
Stegner Pg. 256
Qoute- "For however sympathetically or even sentimentally a white American viewed the Indian, the industrial culture was ceratin to eat away at the tribal cultures like lye...What destroyed the Indian was not primarily political greed, land hunger, or military power, not the white man's germs or the white man's rum. What destroyed him was the manufactured products of a culture, iron and steel, guns, needles, woolen cloth, things that once posessed could not be done without."
Response- Stegner's observation can easily be applied to the present. Many times society believes industrial progression is necessary for the good of the country. However, progression can alter or eliminate what is already a well working system. Like the Native Americans who once introduced to guns left the arrow, society now prefers electronic communication instead of face to face interaction. Stegner states, "...things that once posessed could not be done without." This is the same with cell phones, e-mail, internet or any other technological advancement. It is interesting and somewhat alarming how Stegner's statement is so fitting for today's society.
Qoute- "For however sympathetically or even sentimentally a white American viewed the Indian, the industrial culture was ceratin to eat away at the tribal cultures like lye...What destroyed the Indian was not primarily political greed, land hunger, or military power, not the white man's germs or the white man's rum. What destroyed him was the manufactured products of a culture, iron and steel, guns, needles, woolen cloth, things that once posessed could not be done without."
Response- Stegner's observation can easily be applied to the present. Many times society believes industrial progression is necessary for the good of the country. However, progression can alter or eliminate what is already a well working system. Like the Native Americans who once introduced to guns left the arrow, society now prefers electronic communication instead of face to face interaction. Stegner states, "...things that once posessed could not be done without." This is the same with cell phones, e-mail, internet or any other technological advancement. It is interesting and somewhat alarming how Stegner's statement is so fitting for today's society.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Exploration of The Colorado River and Its Canyons
Powell Pg. 124
Qoute- "Barren desolation is stretched before me; and yet there is a beauty in the scene. The fantastic carvings, imitating architectural forms and suggesting rude but wierd statuary, with the bright and varied colors of the rocks, conspire to make a scene such as the dweller in verdure-clad hills can scarcely appreciate."
Response-Powell recognized the beauty in nature that he believed others did not or could not notice. His comparison of nature to objects found in an urban setting provides the reader with a mental picture of the scenery he is looking at. This technique also allows the reader to envision the scenery as not just something beautiful to look at, but also as an expansive city that is home to many forms of life.
Qoute- "Barren desolation is stretched before me; and yet there is a beauty in the scene. The fantastic carvings, imitating architectural forms and suggesting rude but wierd statuary, with the bright and varied colors of the rocks, conspire to make a scene such as the dweller in verdure-clad hills can scarcely appreciate."
Response-Powell recognized the beauty in nature that he believed others did not or could not notice. His comparison of nature to objects found in an urban setting provides the reader with a mental picture of the scenery he is looking at. This technique also allows the reader to envision the scenery as not just something beautiful to look at, but also as an expansive city that is home to many forms of life.
The Journal-
The Journal, July 14 pg.29
Qoute- "There can be no really black melan-choly to him who lives in the midst of nature and has still his senses. While I enjoy the sweet freindship of the seasons I trust that nothing can make life a burden to me. This rain which is now watering my beans and keeping me in the house waters me too. I needed it as much."
Response- In this quote Thoreau emphasizes the superiority and importance of nature in comparison to mankind's emotions. He writes as if he feels guilt for feeling down and almost as if he is trying to convince himself of how insignificant his sadness is. However, he allows himself to be comforted by the seasons despite his inferiority. This qoute serves as a reminder of how mankind convinces themselves that they are the most important thing in the world when in reality there are more significant things in life. For example, the water that makes both Thoreau and his beans grow.
Qoute- "There can be no really black melan-choly to him who lives in the midst of nature and has still his senses. While I enjoy the sweet freindship of the seasons I trust that nothing can make life a burden to me. This rain which is now watering my beans and keeping me in the house waters me too. I needed it as much."
Response- In this quote Thoreau emphasizes the superiority and importance of nature in comparison to mankind's emotions. He writes as if he feels guilt for feeling down and almost as if he is trying to convince himself of how insignificant his sadness is. However, he allows himself to be comforted by the seasons despite his inferiority. This qoute serves as a reminder of how mankind convinces themselves that they are the most important thing in the world when in reality there are more significant things in life. For example, the water that makes both Thoreau and his beans grow.
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