Dawn Langhi-The tender carnivore

I found the book to very fascinating. The book looked at humankind’s earlier psychological beginnings, and their progression with agriculture, monotheism, Puritanism, and the estrangement of modern mechanisms on human’s prospect of the future. The book makes you wonder if at some point along the path of history, the human psyche, culture and technology has gone astray.
It is interesting to speculate what may have caused humans to exile themselves from the harmonious hunting grounds of primal times. In the book he suggest the domestication of plants and animals and the invention of agriculture was to blame. I do not really think this to be very true, but I can see where he is coming from. Ultimately the choice of being a carnivore is up to the individual.

Dawn Langhi-Turtle Island

The Dead by the Side of the Road
After reading Snyder’s poem, I felt he was attacking humans in a way. I understand animals being killed by cars is a questionable and upsetting result of technology. The animals were victims of technology in many ways. For example, cars, buildings, and pollution. When Snyder described different animals and how they were shot/killed in order to be used for their skins or killed for food was not the same as a car hitting them. Coming from an avid hunting family, I have gone several times with my Uncles deer hunting and hog hunting, which was a very interesting experience. Every deer that was killed was used for food. I feel that hunting is a part of human nature; it is a way to survive. I can understand becoming angry when animals are killed for no reason or killed simply to improve someone’s vanity. However, hunting in order to feed your family is a different story and should not be looked down upon.

Dawn Langhi-The Ecology of Eden-Hanging Tough

This section of Eisenberg I found to be very interesting and insightful. He discusses how the environment is always changing and we must learn how the natural system works, in order to deal with these changes. Sometimes it seems humans can get carried away trying to solve a problem and over look the small details. For instance, pesticides and other chemical agents. Eisenberg goes into detail about how many pesticides used by farmers stop working after a period of time. This just shows using chemicals on plants is not the way to go and we should find more natural ways to combat these problems.

Kenneth Tappan- Drum Circle

The other day when we participated in the drum circle i have to admit i was very skeptical at first. I felt wierd and was conscience of the other people staring at us. After this quickly faded though i found the experience soothing and relaxing. I found myself making my own beats that fitted in with the others. I had a voice but it was part of something greater in my mind. The drum circle reminded me of a sort of team effort and everyone played an essential role within it. The Drum circle also was a very relaxing practice for me. I found myself lost in time and when we were finished i could not believe class was over. It did not feel like we played for that long at all. The leader mentioned that we had created sacred time and space, and i could not agree more. The moment was definitly unique and special and i did learn alot from the experience. It is amazing how our primitive side can prove to be the most relaxing and fullfilling aspect in our daily lives.

Kenneth Tappan- Ansel Adams

When we went to visit the Ansel Adams exhibit at the PFAC i was intrigued at the marvelous photos of nature. As we talked about them I learned that Adams manipulated them to look like what he envisioned. I found this to be very interesting. I thought to my self that humans have constantly changed and manipulated nature to benifit themselves and Ansel Adams was no exception. I wonder why he chose to change how nature looked, im sure they were awe striking vistas to begin with. In my opinion man deep down wants to conquer the wild world and we want to reign supreme when it comes to life. We have always considered ourselves to be superior life forms. This, however, is not the case. Life itself is a miracle all you have to do is look at other planets to see that. Why do we humans feel the need to change what is already working. Nature works perfectly and many times we cannot understand how and why it works so well, but yet we have always felt the need to make changes in out environment.

Caitlin Nelson

We've been talking in class recently about the differences between walking and driving places. When you walk somewhere you are allowed the opportunity to interact with those around you, you are really part of the community. When you're in your car its just you, there is no interaction, and usually when it is it is one of anger. It made me laugh in class when we were talking about how when you are driving suddenly everyone becomes your adversary. And it is sadly true, I do get angry at the people on the road, constantly. I don't like how slow they turn, or they cut me off, or they are the jerks who don't merge when they should and cut in front of everyone, or they're driving slow in the fast lane, or tailgating you etc. I definitely have a temper when I drive, it brings out a side of me that I don't ever see unless I'm driving. I tend to be a pretty easygoing, not easily angered person, but when i get on the road its a different story. Although I think its important to include that I have never flicked anyone off, nor have I directly yelled at them, I usually just slam my hands on the steering wheel and yell profanities at them that they will never hear. Anyways, the important thing is that my car isolates me from people so much that suddenly I forget to think about things from their perspective, I even forget that they're people...I just see a car and vent my anger towards it. I would never dream of acting the way i do in my car when I'm mad, out in public. But because I am in my own world I can act however I want.

Caitlin Nelson - reading

I actually would like to respond to your paper that you read us in class. I really enjoyed listening to it, and it was really well written. Ever since you read it to us every time I get onto the interstate I attempt to read the sign of prohibitions. And I guess when I think about it, it does seem odd that people would be strictly prohibited from walking where they please, especially when it is such a big area. I think that if a person wants to take the risk to walk down the interstate it should be allowed, but then I guess at the same time that is dangerous not only for them but also for the drivers on the road. It's hard to draw a line between what is fair and what is not fair, and still balance it with what it overall the best and safest decision for everyone. We really don't walk anywhere anymore, I honestly wish that it was more practical for me to walk or ride a bike to places. It would be enjoyable and it would save me gas money. However, most places aren't built with the thought of people walking in mind. It would be impossible for me to get from my house to work on time, because it would take an hour or so to get there. Everything is so spread out whereI live that it just isn't practical. The other issue I have with walking is that it isn't always the safest choice, at least for females. I know it sounds paranoid, but it is rooted in truth. A female walking alone down a road does make her somewhat vulnerable. Who knows if one of the people honking might suddenly take it to the next level and try to pick you up. There are creepy people out there, and the world is not as safe as it used to be. So although walking places would be the ideal choice a lot of the time, it is not necessarily the safest choice.