Insincere Intentions - assignment 4/22

Earth Day Observances was not a very enjoyable essay to read. I believe the reason for this was because of the way the story was told. It was more of a report than an entertaining story. None the less, Joseph Lelyveld brought up some controversial issues. I agree that politicians’ only interest in saving the Earth is to only benefit their self-image and to increase their popularity. By reading the preface, it seems that this political pressure has actually helped pass more environmentally friendly laws. Putting this pressure on law makers to support environmental issues may be the best way to preserve the Earth.

The Mystery of Flight - assignment 4/20

As I read through Jack Turner’s, The Song of the White Pelican, I was surprised to be fascinated by pelicans. Turner obviously had researched and studied these animals for quite some time. The little facts about pelicans kept the story moving and gave it its flow. Relating the pelican to other animals like the sea gull made it easier to comprehend the story. I found it interesting to read about biologists’ view on whether animals could possess human-like emotions or not. I believe that, although we are more advanced than animals, sometimes we are more similar than you might think. Just because we classify some feelings as “human-like” emotions, does not mean that animals do not have any emotions similar to ours.

Calling for Awareness of Nature- assignment 4/13

Aldo Leopold brought up some controversial issues such as soil conservation in, A Sand County Almanac. I did not care for the way he explained the issues. He heavily supported only one side of the issues and did not give much for suggestions on how to resolve the issues. The essay had a hard time catching my attention because of this lack of argument. I believe if Leopold would have debated the issues more, the essay would have been more exciting to read.

first paragraph of personal essay 3/28

I opened the door and stepped over the threshold of my new home, taking in the scenery before me. The smell of autumn was in the air with a gorgeous variety of leaves, which had just begun to fall, coloring everything I could see. Where do you go on your first run in a new city, a new home? “Let’s try heading north,” I thought as my feet started my exploration of Ames.

Finding Life Naturally - assignment 3/23

I found Buffalo for the Broken Heart very intriguing to read. Dan O’Brien did a fantastic job of telling the beginning of the story and to fill the reader in with all the important details. At first, his style of telling the story can be hard to follow. He seemed to jump around a lot, but as I read it came apparent that every piece of his story would fit together perfectly by the end of the chapter. It was very interesting to learn about the Great Plains’ history of the buffalo. I did not know buffalo had such an impact in shaping the prairies. Through natural selection and evolution, the buffalo in effect dictated the growth of the plains. Another aspect of O’Brien’s writing I liked was how he would say something that had a deeper meaning. An example of this was, “I liked where I’d found myself and didn’t want to fall back through the looking glass.” Statements like this evoke his readers to think beyond the face value of his writing.

Rebuiding a Loss of Nature - assignment 3/9

I really liked Medell Berry’s The Making of a Marginal Farm because I felt I could relate to the story and it was somewhat inspiring to read about what someone can accomplish with a lot of hard work. I lived on a farm and know that in farming, the most successful farmers are usually the ones who work the hardest. It is amazing that Berry and his wife were able to transform practically worthless land into decent farming land. It goes to show that hard work is often well rewarded. I think another point Berry was trying to make in his essay was how people need to take care of the land or it deteriorate to nothing. If we ruin the land, it will be nearly impossible to rebuild it back to its original quality like Berry did. It would be much easier to take the steps to preserve the land now.

Stomping Out Society - assignment 3/9

Gary Snyder’s, Smokey the Bear Sutra, has quite a different tone compared to the other excerpts in the book. His tone is very demanding and he does not leave room for anyone to argue against him. I did not care for this excerpt because I felt he was telling me what to believe and I could not relax and enjoy the reading. I especially did not like the line, “…the countless men oppressed by a civilization that claims to save but only destroys.” It seems like Snyder is implying that civilization is completely evil. I know that society has had some negative effects on nature, but I believe that in general society is a good thing. Snyder only comments on the bad things civilization has done and does not say anything about the good.