Anyone who lives in an area impacted by tourism knows the devastation that over-tourism, social media, and wealth have caused in the remaining “beautiful” places on Earth, those deemed instagram-worthy by the hordes with camera phones in their hands and drones in their backpacks.
I must go hiking when I am homeless. I like a few lightweight items for comfort but I see these people on the trail, out in the wilderness looking at the clock, trying to cover as much distance as possible. I dawdle, partly because I am unfit but mostly because I want to take it all in. We are lucky where I live in that the wilderness still outweighs the population. It's weird how we live in little concrete boxes and venture out occasionally into nature, like it's a treat. Should be the other way around.
This is so spot on. And how horrible that this exo skeleton aberration is already being marketed. And of course, its soon to be on battlefields as well, maybe even already. "Outdoor recreation" has devolved into an ego game. I keep thinking we'll grow out of this childishness, but it just keeps getting stupider. Early morning wandering is a good way to get on jump on the silliness.
Yes, I make a habit of early morning wandering in my own backyard before my morning tea. I was thrilled to find a tiny slime mold just a few mornings ago. Daniel Schmachtenberger recently said in an interview that we could and should easily spend most of our time/life simply marveling and the amazingness of the natural world because it is so miraculous that it, and we, are here at all. That's what I now do here at home. Simply marvel.
Thank you so much for writing this, for naming one way to reduce harm to other living creatures and their habitats. Some lines really grabbed me: "We are already transhuman: we use technology to go farther, faster all the time.... The problem is that going farther, faster always means more impact, more destruction. Once our technologies control us...we merge with the machines...and lose our wild, animal souls...." As one who rarely hikes in the wild anymore, I do get nourishment from planting a few vegetables and watching them grow. And I wonder--how do you nourish your wild animal soul?
Thank you Katie. I too get nourishment from my own backyard and community where I live--the more I pay attention, the more I learn the land, the more I get to know the wild beings who share it with me, the more I get deep nourishment from even the smallest things.
I predict the exo skeleton will be a massive fail. The uncertainty principle is in nature. might work in the cities tho. when has teck ever improved on the human body, really? would you rather have your own teeth or dentures? your own legs or robot legs? your own heart or... it's marketing. do not believe the hype.
there are two philosophies to approach our relationship with nature. extracting, a childs materialist grasp, and co operating, which is what indigenous people do, a thoughtful person’s adult grasp of it. we are part of nature, not at all separate. we have a place and a function we are neglecting. one that brings everyone abundance. we are in a class of species that is permitted in the observable natural order, to modify environments, like the beaver. we could build walipini, terra preta. think of the edible chestnut trees once cultivated all across north america. more carbohydrates per square inch by far than any grain crop, and forest all round. It required care tho. (regular controlled burns) that is what humans did.
Elizabeth, excellent combo of a cry to preserve the natural world, plus
i learned of some of the techy trends... which sound like that new agey affirmation phrase i dislike, "anything is possible", because. for one, it's not possible for a Redwood to give birth to a Pine.
I must go hiking when I am homeless. I like a few lightweight items for comfort but I see these people on the trail, out in the wilderness looking at the clock, trying to cover as much distance as possible. I dawdle, partly because I am unfit but mostly because I want to take it all in. We are lucky where I live in that the wilderness still outweighs the population. It's weird how we live in little concrete boxes and venture out occasionally into nature, like it's a treat. Should be the other way around.
This is so spot on. And how horrible that this exo skeleton aberration is already being marketed. And of course, its soon to be on battlefields as well, maybe even already. "Outdoor recreation" has devolved into an ego game. I keep thinking we'll grow out of this childishness, but it just keeps getting stupider. Early morning wandering is a good way to get on jump on the silliness.
Yes, I make a habit of early morning wandering in my own backyard before my morning tea. I was thrilled to find a tiny slime mold just a few mornings ago. Daniel Schmachtenberger recently said in an interview that we could and should easily spend most of our time/life simply marveling and the amazingness of the natural world because it is so miraculous that it, and we, are here at all. That's what I now do here at home. Simply marvel.
Roses are red, and violets are blue.
I know of a place... but I'm not telling you.
Thank you so much for writing this, for naming one way to reduce harm to other living creatures and their habitats. Some lines really grabbed me: "We are already transhuman: we use technology to go farther, faster all the time.... The problem is that going farther, faster always means more impact, more destruction. Once our technologies control us...we merge with the machines...and lose our wild, animal souls...." As one who rarely hikes in the wild anymore, I do get nourishment from planting a few vegetables and watching them grow. And I wonder--how do you nourish your wild animal soul?
Thank you Katie. I too get nourishment from my own backyard and community where I live--the more I pay attention, the more I learn the land, the more I get to know the wild beings who share it with me, the more I get deep nourishment from even the smallest things.
Excellent for people to know, "the more I pay attention..."
I predict the exo skeleton will be a massive fail. The uncertainty principle is in nature. might work in the cities tho. when has teck ever improved on the human body, really? would you rather have your own teeth or dentures? your own legs or robot legs? your own heart or... it's marketing. do not believe the hype.
I hope it is a massive fail... but it's the intention of extracting ever more from nature that is the most disturbing.
there are two philosophies to approach our relationship with nature. extracting, a childs materialist grasp, and co operating, which is what indigenous people do, a thoughtful person’s adult grasp of it. we are part of nature, not at all separate. we have a place and a function we are neglecting. one that brings everyone abundance. we are in a class of species that is permitted in the observable natural order, to modify environments, like the beaver. we could build walipini, terra preta. think of the edible chestnut trees once cultivated all across north america. more carbohydrates per square inch by far than any grain crop, and forest all round. It required care tho. (regular controlled burns) that is what humans did.
I don't use the great outdoors as a gymnasium or racetrack. But I accept that I must share it with those who do.
Elizabeth, excellent combo of a cry to preserve the natural world, plus
i learned of some of the techy trends... which sound like that new agey affirmation phrase i dislike, "anything is possible", because. for one, it's not possible for a Redwood to give birth to a Pine.