ENGL 2635E Mid Term by Nadelyn Vannaseng

Sturgeon

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 06:53:09 UTC

Sturgeon compares nature vs culture throughout his writing. He states that nature and culture are very different, and are completely separate. Sturgeon also mentions how the line between what is natural and what counts as nature, is very thin. How nowadays it's hard to put something in a specific category, due to our advanced technology, biology and science. Or how we have changed nature itself. Do humans affect too much of the planet to the point where everything is man made, or artificial? His story gives prime examples from within our everyday lives, to the outside world.

Quote "...calling something 'natural' places it in an arena of truth, inevitability, and immutability, beyond the reach of social criticism or democratic change."

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 07:02:02 UTC

What Sturgeon is saying here is that historically, for something to be natural, it would have to be untouched from any humans. Without the influence of mankind it will remain pure and "natural." Once society starts to change biology or chemistry, it will start to evolve into something more. This quote suggests that when something is described as "natural," it is imbued with an inherent truth. The term "natural" implies that it is part of the fundamental order of things, that exists without human intervention or social construction. Because of this, when an idea or practice is labeled as "natural," it can be framed as inevitable, unchangeable, or outside of social critique or political debate.

Quote "...Westerners often use the idea of the natural to justify either the way things are or the way we think things should be."

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 07:12:06 UTC

From this quote, if something is "natural," it is often perceived as not needing justification or critique, because it is assumed to be unchanging and apart of universal truth. It also emphasizes that the word "natural" can be used strategically in Western thought. Allowing existing power structures to promote certain values or systems as inherently right or appropriate. It reflects how deeply embedded ideas of "nature" are shaping political and social thought, and are obscuring or suppressing perspectives or changes. It is also justifying the so called "social norms" and "gender norms." For example, women are in charge of cooking and taking care of the kids, while the men go off to work to bring home the money.

Quote "Humans are inside, coexisting, and interdependent with nature rather than outside and independent of it."

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 07:17:35 UTC

This quote really explores the idea of how we need nature more, rather than nature needing humans. We rely on nature for it's resources to continue on with our lives. This perspective calls for a shift in how we think about environmental issues and human responsibility. Instead of seeing nature as something to be controlled or used for our benefit, it suggests we should adopt a more sustainable and respectful relationship with the environment. If society can recognize that we co-exist, and are interdependent with nature, we might be more inclined to protect the environment. This allows us to think more deeply on how our survival really does depend on the Earth. Overall, this quote is calling for a more interconnected view of the relationship between humans and the world around us. How society needs more ecological awareness and responsibility in the way we live and interact with the planet.

The essays that the students have writen

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 07:32:04 UTC

From reading Sturgeon, he writes about how he asked his class to write an essay about how how their understanding of nature, and environmental values, arose from their social class, ethnicity, gender and identity. From his findings, he found that the idea of nature is very flexible and variable. Nature itself is a very complex word to define. Our social surrounds and upbringings, can shape the way we interpret the word. It also brings a question as to what is "real" nature and what isn't. Is everything we plant still natural or artificial, are the social norms in society still considered to be natural, or is it only there because we made that system. This goes on to what Sturgeon mentioned early, that the line between natural and what counts as nature is very thin. To everyone, the definition of nature can be very different.

Devall

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 07:57:17 UTC

Devall writes about how we should connect more with our ecological self. It is about accepting ourselves, having self-awareness, and not trying to influence others for what we think is right. Devall mostly rights about how we are connected to nature, how our culture is one with the planet. If we think that our bodies are apart of nature, then we can become more aware of how the Earth needs humans, what we can do to help and preserve it.

Quote "If a person can sincerely say, 'If this place is destroyed then something in me is destroyed,' then that person has an intense feeling of belonging to the place."

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 08:01:23 UTC

This quote brings a deep sense of belonging. It talks about the emotional and psychological roots we have in certain environments. When people feel deeply connected to a place, they are more likely to care about its well-being, protect it, and even fight for its preservation. This can apply to everything from a small, local community to a larger environment. Moreover, this quote shows how our identities are not just shaped by internal factors like personality or values, but also by the external environments in which we live. If a place is destroyed, it’s not just a physical loss, it can be a personal one as well, reflecting how our sense of belonging is deeply tied to the world around us.

Quote "Total identification with 'organic wholeness' is possible only after identification with some living being more immediate and tangible."

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 08:10:27 UTC

It brings the idea that our connection to nature or the world around us often starts with something specific and close to us. We can expand our awareness and give more empathy to the earth. If we can identify with other living beings, no matter the species, it can help us expand our sense of connection to the broader world. Meaning, if we can understand our deep bond with another being, we may be able to see how their life is also connected to the world. Making us appreciate the life we are given more, and not take things for grant. Overall, the quote is saying that truly grasping the interconnectedness of life on a grand scale requires starting with something that we can directly relate to and feel attached to. Such as a personal connection, allowing us to have a deeper sense of the natural world.

Quote "'What a man does to the earth, he does to himself...'"

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 08:16:25 UTC

This quote suggests that humans and the Earth are deeply interconnected. It also explains that what we do to the environment, we ultimately do to ourselves. For example, if we harm the Earth through pollution, deforestation, or climate change, we are also harming our own well-being, because our survival and life depend on well-being of the planet. It emphasizes the idea that the Earth and society are not separate, but part of the same system. Meaning any damage to the environment has direct consequences for human life. Everything we do can either impact us positively or negatively. This should make us more cautious of our actions. However, our daily routines are inevitable because of the way our society has evolved. This quote is really making one think about how we should really start treating planet Earth.

Quote "The minimal self has contracted to a defensive core concerned primarily with psychic survival and making a good impression on certain significant people....Seeing the problems of living in modern times-crime, increasing air and water pollution... in major institutions in society-the minimal self prepares for the siege, retreats to private pleasure domes and withdraws from community service or any form of commitment to the peace movement..."

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 08:23:41 UTC

The quote explains a mindset an individual may have, when becoming overwhelmed by the complexity of modern problems. Rather than facing these challenges, or working together toward solutions, the minimal self will retreat and self prepare. It illustrates how modern society will disengage, where people prioritize their own comfort and security over the well-being of others. This mindset can lead to people feeling powerless, making them unable to change larger issues. They will choose to instead focus on personal pleasures and will avoid discomfort. In general, the minimal self represents a defensive, self-centered approach to life, where people retreat from societal problems and focus on protecting their own social well-being instead of contributing to the greater good. Today's society has taught us to fend for ourselves, but not how to protect our overall community.

Sturgeon and Devall

nadelynvannaseng — 2024-12-14 08:30:28 UTC

Looking between both authors, they have similarities and differences. Sturgeon implies that it's hard to tell what is natural and what is nature. Whereas Devall, wrote about how we should start thinking about how we are already one with nature. He allows us to think on a more spiritual scale for everything. Changing our mindset will allow humanity to appreciate life more, and having this mindset will also want people to be more active in their community. Not to only think about themselves, but about planet Earth, other people, and species. Connecting more with our inner-self is what Devall writes about. On the other hand, Sturgeon wrote about how our political system and everyday lives will affect how we view nature altogether. Our social system is set up to accept any social norms or any gender norms. However, both authors did make a point that humans do need planet Earth in order to survive, and continue on with their lives. They both make a point that we need to start caring more for the Earth and it's resources, and that we need to realize that Earth doesn't need us, but rather we need the Earth.