Civilize The Wilderness
opinionated Essay
514 words
Civilize the Wilderness
Wilderness, why civilize it? This is an interesting question, and one that is hard to answer. Why not just leave the wilderness alone, and let it grow and decide it's own beginnings and ends? Does civilizing the wilderness make it better or worse? In what ways is it better or worse if we leave it alone or it we civilize it? These are all excellent questions and are all worthwhile to think about.
Western culture has tried to civilize the wilderness for quite sometime now, but is it really something we should be doing? In the point of view of many, the wilderness should be civilized to accommodate for the increasing number of people in the world. We should also civilize it because we need the extra room and because we cannot live in uncivilized areas of the wilderness, at least not with all of the comforts of home. What effects will civilizing the wilderness now have in the future? Many questions can arise when contemplating civilizing the wilderness.
The wilderness is being civilized for one main reason. That reason is technology. Technology plays an important role in everyone's lives today.
Without it, we would not have computers, fax machines, cellular phones, and all of the modern conveniences that we have today. The fact is, that many people believe that the wilderness is like an unborn country. A country that has nothing and is striving to become more advanced. We see this as an opportunity to better it and make it seem like we are actually helping. But, are we really helping? In my opinion, no. I feel that we are destroying something natural and something of beauty.
In many ways we are making the wilderness worse by civilizing it. We put unnatural objects into the wilderness, and it destroys the wilderness' natural beauty. Thoreau's ideal is to pretty much leave the wilderness as it is.
If you need to inhabit it, don't use anything that does not come from within it.
For example, Thoreau built his cabin from the trees that were in the wilderness that surrounded it. In this way, civilizing the wilderness is okay. The way we are civilizing it, is not okay. Too just clear-cut an entire forest, then build a house, an in ground swimming pool, and put up a satellite dish, is not exactly ideal to keeping the wilderness natural.
To destroy the beauty of the wilderness by civilizing it in the way that
In this essay, the author
- Asks why not leave the wilderness alone, and let it be?
- Describes the ways in which it is better or worse if we leave it.
- Opines that it is not something we should be doing.
- Opines that we should also civilize it because we need the number of people in the world.
- Describes the challenges faced by organizations to make it seem like they are actually helping.
- Advises that if you need to inhabit it, don't use anything that does not come from within it.
- Opines that a house, an in ground swimming pool, and put up satellite dish aren't exactly the same.
- Opines that if we keep on civilizing the wilderness the way we are right now, who says that there will be any left in the future?
Related
- opinionated
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- Wilderness: History and Valueopinionated essayWilderness: History and Value History From the very beginning of this nation's history, wilderness has been a fundamental ingredient. The first European settlers found and battled against it upon their arrival. The western explorers and wagon trains sought to wrestle farmland from the wilderness's grip to build cities, farms and homes. It was not until the reality of its finite availability, that it was viewed as anything other than an opponent and menace.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the nation's attitude transformation was testimony to a new focus and value for wilderness.
- Explains that the first european settlers began an extensive nation wide war on wilderness upon their arrival on the eastern shore.
- Explains that explorers set forth, fueled by a notion called manifest destiny, which claimed that the christian dominance of the nation was god ordained.
- Explains that the wilderness act of 1964 recognized different areas for their remarkable wild and scenic beauty. in 1872, yellowstone was declared the first national park.
- Analyzes how leopold's influence in new mexico set in motion a movement toward more rigid wilderness preservation guidelines.
- Explains that the first serious movement toward that goal was the formation of the l-20 regulations in 1929, which was a forest service policy with an accompanying set of management regulations.
- Explains that the u-regulations tightened protection of approximately 14,000,000 acres of national forest land by designating it into three categories: wilderness, wild areas and roadless areas.
- Explains that howard zanhiser wrote a wilderness bill and it was revised and resubmitted 66 times. the bill was signed into law by president lyndon b. johnson on september 3, 1964.
- Explains the definition of wilderness in section 2c of the wilderness act.
- Defines wilderness as an area of undeveloped land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions.
- Explains that the wilderness act of 1964 was one of the most important milestones in the changing attitude of americans toward their wilderness areas.
- Opines that wilderness is a great place to connect with the country's past, because of its influence and shaping character toward national identity.
- Explains that wilderness is a place where the comforts of civilized life aren't found, but is for primitive recreation and minimal human manipulation. wilderness removes civilization and forces one to be self-dependent.
- Opines that wilderness is a place to reconnect with the non-human world as our culture continues to separate itself from the natural world through industrialization and development.
- Explains that wilderness is an extremely important value due to its undisturbed nature and its ability to protect endangered plants and animals. wilderness ecosystems are an important source of information and basis for comparing the world around us.
- Opines that wilderness and unstudied organisms destroy the capacity for new discovery and extension of biological understanding.
- Explains that large wild areas are needed and essential to animals' survival. wilderness areas may also harbor specific species and be established for that very reason.
- Opines that wilderness saves humans and animals from one trait of human nature-a desire to master and subdue everything.
- Argues that environmental ethics and wilderness preservation should be examined in the context of christian faith. biocentrism claims that non-human biological organisms and humans have similar rights.
- Compares anthropocentrism with the belief that humans are the highest beings and have the most rights to land and resource use. the needs of the natural systems are secondary to the desires of humanity.
- Argues that anthropocentric management cuts both the biological and human world short by limiting the natural world in the name of human interest.
- Opines that biocentrism does not fit completely within the scope of biblical teaching. it puts humans on the same level as non-human organisms.
- Explains that to manage and be stewards of wilderness and other land resources, we must extend the loving respect that the bible instructs, god extends to humans, and who continues to extend to the earth.
- Cites brower, david, stankey, george h., and lucas, robert c.
3253 wordsRead More - Wilderness and Pioneer Civilizationanalytical essayCivilization is often seen under a positive light and associated with progress, order, and morality ;however, there are many negative aspects to civilization as well, especially seen thorough the eyes of a female settler. In Susanna Moodie's memoir, Roughing it in the Bush, symbols, diction, and figurative language are used to paint a picture of the perceived wilderness and this in turn shows her views on civilization and address the Victorian, European settler perception of nature as a double edged sword. Her descriptions and use of characters as symbols give the readers a window into the life of a female settler and her experiences of wilderness, civilization, and culture shock.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how susanna moodie's memoir, roughing it in the bush, uses symbols, diction, and figurative language to paint a picture of the perceived wilderness.
- Analyzes how moodie's representations of the characters gave readers insight on what each person represented as well as her impression of them.
- Analyzes how susanna finds beauty in the wild and even controls it through painting wildflowers, but is still paranoid and tense about it. she shuts herself in and the chaos attached to wilderness out.
- Analyzes how susanna moodie struggled with heavy socioeconomic pressures. pioneer women were expected to be productive and civil, to represent order and safety, and to bring morality and values.
- Analyzes how susanna moodie's roughing it in the bush shows that nature can be brutally vicious and fascinatingly beautiful at the same time.
622 wordsRead More - Wilderness Empireanalytical essayIn Wilderness Empire, Allen W. Eckert has given a sweeping and thorough look into the lives of key decision makers and the pivotal events leading up to and including the French and Indian War. Through Eckert’s educated insight, the reader is able to enjoy a look into a distant way of life made edifying through his portrayal of historical figures. Following the lives of William Johnson and his friend Tiyanoga, a powerful leader of The Six Nations, the reader is able to better understand a way of life that has long since been eradicated. Eckert provides portraits of the Ottawa warrior Pontiac and various French and English political leaders of this period. The reader recognizes and enjoys the appearance of a young George Washington and Ben Franklin.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how eckert provides a sweeping and thorough look into the lives of key decision makers and the pivotal events leading up to and including the french and indian war.
- Analyzes how eckert records the early life of the characters william johnson and pontiac.
- Analyzes how wilderness empire chronicles the relationship of the iroquois league with the french and the english.
- Analyzes how allen eckert gives a glimpse into the political structure and lifestyle of the american indian.
- Analyzes how wilderness empire gives a realistic and sometimes disturbing look at the way of life for english and french settlers in north america from 1715 through 1760.
- Analyzes how eckert's wilderness empire shows the fraudulent political maneuvering that was being undertaken by both the french and the english governments.
- Explains that although the iroquois league was intact at the end of the conflict, their power and numbers had been weakened and their strength would never be regained.
- Evaluates allan eckert's historical novel wilderness empire as entertaining and educational. the reader is offered a better understanding of the historical events leading up to the french and indian war.
904 wordsRead More - Forty Years in the Wildernessexplanatory essayForty Years in the Wilderness Clouds of dust billowed behind our jeep like a filthy veil. Scrawny boys in underwear left their jacks to chase us. Seconds later, they trailed off calling "gringos." A bachata blared in the distance as we pulled up to the palm hut that doubled as a ranger station. Two shirtless rangers leaned against grimy cases displaying ceramic idols and shards of bowls.
In this essay, the author
- Narrates forty years in the wilderness. dust billowed behind their jeep like a filthy veil. scrawny boys in underwear left their jacks to chase us.
- Narrates how james and sarah raced ahead of the guide, while david and i meandered behind looking for lizards. grandma won at "i spy," spotting tropical birds and brightly colored orchids dangling in the canopy.
- Describes how the trail fed into the gaping mouth of a cave, surrounded by razor sharp stalactite and stalagmite teeth.
- Describes how the ranger decided that the best escape route was to climb up to an opening in the ceiling.
- Narrates how the ranger, turned pirate, unsheathed a gleaming machete and began bushwhacking the path. they began to lose hope as they pushed their way through spiny vegetation.
- Describes how mom rationed the half-gallon for several hours until grandpa started to worry about becoming dehydrated. he mumbled to himself that he was going to die.
- Describes how they felt like they were watching themselves in a movie, wishing for the camera to cut to the next clip. the ranger told them about two policemen who had been searching the year before for an escaped convict
- Describes how they plodded behind the ranger in silence, lost in irrational thought, and cried in pain when he bushwhacked a wasp's nest, leaving swollen welts to mark their accomplishments.
- Describes how they entered the promised land after forty years in the wilderness with the israelites. grandma measured out even amounts of water from the thermos for each of them to wet their parched throats.
1503 wordsRead More - Population Control: Preventing Unwanted Pregnanciesopinionated essay... that the world can equally sustain each and every human. Population control is the key to a future containing a plethora of resources being distributed to each human, including less starvation and jocular lives.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that population control is a necessary act that will benefit the world through sparing natural resources, decreasing famine, and controlling unplanned pregnancies.
- Explains that china has a list of problems while maintaining one fifth of the world’s population.
- Explains that in the 1940s, china viewed promoting a larger population as positive improvement for political strength and to improve economic development.
- Explains that since the 1980s, china created law that differs from normal life in the united states. the law restricts a couple to only conceiving one child.
- Explains that the chinese government has made contraception, public health care, and additional types of birth control more tangible to those who could not afford it.
- Analyzes how poverty and famine overwhelm the country. deforestation takes away precious land from wildlife, and food from humans.
- Explains that pollution, desertification, population growth, and food consumption will affect the future. populations in africa are skyrocketing past the lands limit.
- Opines that population control is necessary in order to eliminate hunger and poverty, not because of abhorring a huge population.
- Explains that industrialization has caused excess air pollution and has led to health problems in china as well as other countries.
- Opines that countries should reduce car travel and make homes more efficient in order to solve countless problems throughout the world. the earth will soon be pushed to its maximum capacity.
- Opines that population control is the key to a future containing less starvation and jocular lives.
- Opines that overpopulation is not the problem, and navarro, mireya, pflanz, mike.
1033 wordsRead More - Birthing Cermonies Of Other Culturesexplanatory essaybut to me it doesn't seem like we are doing a very good job of it.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that religion and culture share the same as well.
- Describes the ways in which she explores the natural world through walks in the fields and over the years.
- Describes the steam baths in an adobe hut.
- Explains that she takes this after work so she can sleep and get up and do it all over again.
- Explains that the newborn baby is alone with its mother for these eight days.
- Explains that this time frame is the baby integration into the family.
- Explains that garlic, lime, salt, and tobacco are used to ward off evil spirits.
- Describes the celebrations as there are for a boy. they say this is because of all the hard.
- Narrates how the male child is given an umbilical cord cut, while the female child receives one.
- Explains that they consider the baby owned by the community as well as the parents.
- Opines that some people can't help but have them in different places like a hospital.
- Recommends using a sharp knife to cut the skin in the most sensitive part of the body.
- Opines that part means you are a coward and unworthy to be maasia man.
- Explains that they are not allowed to even touch their food.
- Explains that sticks are eaten with, and when healed their heads are shaved and the black is removed.
- Explains that the belief is that by removing parts of the girls from the middle east.
- Explains that this is a high-risk procedure, meaning there have been high risks.
- Explains that the female is dependent on the male and strong and not a coward.
- Explains that culture works with the child before they are born. first of all plans are made for them so they know who is going to witness the birth.
- Explains that the mother is to keep on working as she did before the baby is born. this shows the child the importance of work in their culture.
- Opines that it is considered to be a scandal if an indian woman goes to hospital to have her baby.
- Explains that only the three couples know where the child is born. the placenta has to be burned at a certain time. they believe that the earth is the mother and father to all children.
- Explains that stone stoves are heated up and then cold water is poured on the rocks and this makes steam. this prevents the mother from having a miscarriage.
- Explains that the gifts they bring are usually food for the mother, or something for baby. the mother has to taste all of the food that is brought to her.
- Analyzes how the child grows up and has a lot of responsibility. after eight days another animal is killed to show that his right to be alone with his mother is over.
- Explains that work is hard and there are certain things due to them as a mother. they place gender roles like we used to with the women staying home.
- Explains that in our culture after the birth the mother and child are hidden away and left alone for eight or nine days depending on the age of the child.
- Opines that the hospital doesn't allow women to give birth in a hospital because it is unsafe.
- Opines that until they stampede away, all of the slaughtered oxen and honey beer will go to waste, his food would be spit on and he would get a severe beating.
- Narrates how a large crowd of boys and men form semi-circles in front of the him.
- Narrates how the boy spreads the boys legs and announces "one cut" to prevent him from being caught off guard. then a white paint is splashed in their face.
- Explains that it takes a while for them to recover from this. after they are able to walk and do stuff again, they can walk again.
- Opines that in our society you wouldn't be considered to be any less of a man if this was done to you and you screamed in pain.
- Explains that there are women holding down each limb which makes it hard to move. many women who have had this done say they had the feelings before it was done but now they weren't as emotional.
- Opines that society doesn't treat everyone the same, despite the fact that men are ranked by how many women they sleep with.
- Narrates how the test began when they had him lay down in a pit of carnivorous ants. he had to lay there until they gave him the signal to get up.
- Explains that three headhunters are hunting you down. if you fail the test, they do a ritual using your head, but if you pass, you are finally allowed to pass.
- Opines that fraternity, but none of them are usually based on courage. they think that these stories show you how your society is not the only one and also it isn't the best.
2280 wordsRead More - ENVSanalytical essayThe idea of wilderness - untouched and pristine - is at the core of the American experience. Wilderness is a sanctuary to wildlife and a legacy for future generations, offering an opportunity for recreation and reflection. Many people liken immersing one’s self in nature to be a euphoric, almost religious experience. Spending time in the wilderness can be an important escape for many Americans, providing an opportunity to be one with nature. Not only is there inherent beauty to the wilderness itself, and the things in it, but there is also a significant amount of cultural and historical depth to wilderness. Especially to Native Americans, wilderness holds so much more than just an escape; wilderness represents their entire way of life. According to Matthew Preston, the relationship between biodiversity and culture are intimately linked. Therefore, the eradication of wilderness is destroying two very important things: the magnificence of the wilderness itself, and the cultural value of the biodiversity within this wilderness. Protecting wilderness is our ethical responsibility, both for the sake of Native American culture, and for our own sake. By allowing wilderness to be destroyed, humans are allowing natural beauty, and an entire culture, to be annihilated. Despite this responsibility, wilderness is constantly under attack. As global population growth continues to grow, more and more pressure is being placed on wilderness as a result of increased demand for natural resources, along with the land that these resources rest on. In light of these fragmenting habitats and human pressures via development, conservation of wilderness and Native American culture has become increasingly challenging.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the idea of wilderness is at the core of the american experience. the relationship between biodiversity and culture is intimately linked.
- Analyzes how fernando villalba discusses the importance of integrating native americans wilderness conservation efforts.
- Argues that conservation and culture are linked, and that working with native americans to conserve wilderness is ethically responsible.
- Analyzes how villalba illustrates the positive effects of including native americans in conservation efforts, but todd tisdale paints a very different picture of native american's involvement.
- Analyzes how matthew preston's article connects the impact of specific, culturally significant, animal extinctions, to conservationists' need to include culture in the conservation equation.
- Analyzes how hyojung cho discusses the relationship native americans share with the u.s. government, and the political dynamics of indian policy developments within a twenty year span.
- Analyzes how andrew george provides excellent policy analysis of the national forest management in the united states, and how changes in policy have affected all u.s. citizens' ability to participate in management.
- Argues that conservation of wilderness encompasses all things of cultural significance, including the environment and animals dwelling within it, and that native american tribes should be involved in conservation efforts.
- Explains that the national park service is an agency of the united states federal government responsible for managing all national parks, many national monuments, and other sites of historical significance located in the us.
- Explains that the nps has roughly 400 national parks in the united states, all of which are maintained and protected by a collective of volunteers and full-time park rangers.
- Explains that the nps promotes outdoor recreation in its system of national parks through their website and on-site courses. this encourages sustainable living and an awareness of the impacts human life has on the environment.
- Explains the extent to which the nps meets its mission is measured through the number of existing national recreation trails and properties registered in the national register of historic places.
- Argues that the nps's primary goal is to preserve and maintain parks and monuments under its jurisdiction, and does so under the rationale that these sites hold intrinsic value.
2140 wordsRead More - Fishing First Aidopinionated essayThe course was taught in anticipation of its students’ work being conducted in the Alaskan Bush. But, as the instructor was quick to point out, and as defined by the Red Cross, ‘Wilderness” is anywhere that it would take an hour to receive assistance. There are untold numbers of places from the Grand Banks to the South Side Rocks where it could take hours for rescuers to find you.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they like aspirin because it’s a treatment for heart attacks.
- Explains the use of moleskin (or other blister treatment, especially if you cover a lot of ground in waders).
- Opines that more is better here. take as much space as possible, and if you’re prone to being out for extended periods, make sure you have extras so you can change dressings as needed.
- Recommends compiling a list of items that may already be in your medicine chest, and if they aren't readily available at the local druggist.
- Describes how they were required to take various training courses as part of their employment with the u.s. fish & wildlife service.
952 wordsRead More - In Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer explores the human fascination with the purpose of life and nature. Krakauer documents the life and death of Chris McCandless, a young man that embarked on an Odyssey in the Alaskan wilderness. Like many people, McCandless believed that he could give his life meaning by pursuing a relationship with nature. He also believed that rejecting human relationships, abandoning his materialistic ways, and purchasing a book about wildlife would strengthen his relationship with nature. However, after spending several months enduring the extreme conditions of the Alaskan wilderness, McCandless’ beliefs begin to work against him. He then accepts that he needs humans, cannot escape materialism, and can never fully understand how nature functions. Most importantly, he realizes that human relationships are more valuable than infinite solitude. McCandless’ gradual change of heart demonstrates that exploring the wilderness is a transformative experience. Krakauer uses the life and death of Chris McCandless to convey that humans need to explore nature in order to discover the meaning of life.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how krakauer documents the life and death of chris mccandless, a young man who embarked on an odyssey in the alaskan wilderness.
- Analyzes how mccandless believed he needed to get rid of all his material possessions for the most out of life. he made a powerful statement about materialism by refusing to bring camera.
- Analyzes how mccandless' argument was that he refused to acknowledge that human relationships play a pivotal role in creating memories and experiences.
- Analyzes how mccandless pursued a life of isolation in the alaskan wilderness. he filled the bus with pots and pans, makeshift tables, kerosene lamps, and other items for decoration.
- Analyzes how mccandless struggled to understand nature on a scientific level. he purchased tanaina plantlore on wild plant life before entering the alaskan wilderness.
- Analyzes how mccandless began to learn more about himself and his values in his final days. he left a note begging for someone to help him.
- Analyzes how mccandless valued the idea of having and pursuing a dream. his last words, "beautiful blueberries," demonstrate the kind of legacy he wanted to leave behind.
- Analyzes how mccandless's experience in the wild taught him that humans are important because they could have prevented his death.
- Argues that into the wild should motivate humans to explore nature to discover the true meaning of life. mccandless entered the wild as an overly confident hitchhiker and left as a self-accepting and humble man.
1104 wordsRead More - Meaning of Ahimsaopinionated essay- but that does not mean we shouldn't try to keep it to a minimum.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that we shouldn't try to keep it to a minimum.
- Opines that wild animals and can win the hearts of all his enemies.
- Opines that strong is a weapon of the strong, and explains how he beats his opponent with his weapon.
- Narrates how he was taking the lead in india.
- Opines that one might need to suffer or die in order to survive.
- Explains the importance of meat in the human diet.
- Opines that killing is bad karma and one must take it away. killing is a bad one.
1974 wordsRead More