so this time it was a reading and not quite from the penguin book or the other one which is an interesting change of pace. It talks about how environmental humanities have been in the works for awhile, which I believe: we’ve been aware of climate change since the 60s at the earliest (if I recall correctly). But reading it really reaffirmed a theme that we touch upon in class which is that of humanity’s role within nature.
”human beings are not merely observers they are an active part of nature”. (Page 8) We have shaped nature all throughout history physically and figuratively (through stuff like folklore and mythology). Even today we’re still trying to understand nature more and more (especially since we have a profound effect on it)In a way, it makes sense why environmental humanities became more and more relevant (with understanding comes widespread knowledge, and more awareness). At the same time, though, I hope we aren’t too late with it. Maybe being so divorced from nature has made us care less? Not to say that the developed world is horrible and we should revert back to a simpler life, but the more we move forward, the less we seem concerned with our planet
I had to type this on my iPhone. .
Hi Giselle,
I thought you had some well composed notions and inklings about humans, the environment, and how we connect. I think it is very important for the environment to be understood and given importance because we are very emotional beings, if the environment can have a meaning that makes us feel something we will intrinsically begin to care. This is why fictional characters in literature have people who idolize them based on the literature they were involved in. Mickey Mouse is not a real mouse who can talk and hangs out at Disneyland, but because we all grew up watching him and associating him with the idea of childhood nostalgia, he has become an important figure without ever really existing.