I do believe that lack of contact with the natural world is not a good thing. In fact I think I remember seeing some articles on the subject. However, I do believe there may be reasons for living in NYC that are important to those people who choose to do so. I would hope for their sanity, they make trips to parks (where there are at least pigeons and trees), or out to the country, or wherever some form of contact with natural organic matter can happen. My guess is many do not and that does sadden me.

Carl, yes, ‘cab rides.’ Sometimes they are a good thing. Maybe I should have stated good public transportation (of which we have none here in the SW), instead.

I also never meant to invalidate the commentary. I feel it is very valid. I was merely replying to Guy’s question/statement of “How does one come to accept such sacrifices? I never understood.” and advocating we don’t need to, we should just feel compassion for them. Maybe I should also say that I believe as nature photographers, it’s our job to share what we see to those who might not even know what they are missing. At least that’s one of my personal goals.

Scene: thousands of people walking through Grand Central Station. A sparrow has gotten in there and is twittering away. No New Yorker notices. A birdwatcher rolls a quarter down the middle of the floor and every New Yorker in earshot turns toward the sound…. (Story adapted from one by Tom Brown, Jr.)

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” –Elie Weisel

I don’t need to understand anyone’s choices. But, like it or not, there are certain natural axioms our very existence as living beings depends on, and many more that determine our welfare. If we remain indifferent to their fate, we will certainly lose them and, consequently, ourselves.

Guy

Did I read that right? ….. ‘cab rides’?????

I don’t need to judge people’s choices to understand what’s missing if they give up contact with the natural world – it’s like growing up without contact with one’s parents, and is a surefire path to dysfunction. Everyone has that choice to make, for sure, and I’d never try to mandate how they live their lives – but that doesn’t disqualify or invalidate commentary.

Cheers

Carl

It would not be how I wish to live either.

I think we all make sacrifices that may seem strange to others that are living in a different environment and culture. I too can not understand how someone can willingly sacrifice the gift of the stars above or the singing of birds in the morning, but I’m sure they can’t understand how I sacrifice the modern conveniences of a big city.

BTW, the journal looks great!

Best,
Adam

Great line – Wendell Berry is one of the greatest writers I’ve read – an amazingly intelligent man. Thanks for the quote and the link.

Cheers

Carl

“Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.”
–Wendell Berry

Here is a link to the entire Manifesto:

http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC30/Berry.htm

Ain’t it something? And folks say going hiking in the mountains, around bears, and sleeping on the ground, is crazy! Those same folks sit in their car 90 minutes each way to work a job.

Cheers

Carl