This:
http://gluttonyisabliss.tumblr.com/
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Nature's Ugly Ducklings
I would to say a few words here on the subject of beauty. Though not the superficial human kind.Rather, I think it prudent to reconsider our standards on what we consider beautiful in the natural world.
This subject holds particular relevance for me not only because I recently read Plato's Symposium and dealt with the concept of Platonic forms, but because this year I've encountered a tremendous variety of new ecosystems. From the oak woodlands of northern California through to the state's agricultural heart. Then to high deserts of Arizona and finally back up to the Blue Mountains of Walla Walla County. My travels have taken me all the way up and down the west coast; each location carrying its own personality and characteristics. My issue, simply put, is how are we to value them? Our answers, even casually considered, can have immense ecological implications.
The fact of the matter is that forests are the poster boys of the natural realm. They get the most love, protection and consideration. It is generally agreed upon that the destruction of woodlands, except out of necessity for timber, is a deplorable act. And while the timber industry certainly has its issues, I'm not so concerned with them here. Trees have status. What I'm more concerned with currently are ecosystems like prairies, deserts and tundras. Places that don't garner much fanfare. They are often seen as barren and unattractive, devoid of any real worth. While these are blatant misconceptions, they leave our less aesthetically pleasing locales open to exploitation. The public isn't moved to preserve a plot of what they see as dead grass. Yet these attitudes are a result of poor ecological education. And they were the bane of Aldo Leopold's existence.
Simply because the complexities of these systems are hidden, doesn't preclude their existence. When I first came to Walla Walla, I thought the area outside of the Whitman campus to be one of the most unattractive places I had ever been. Besides Bakersville, CA of course. But now that I'm settled in here, and enrolled in a natural history course, I'm beginning to perceive the fine balance that exists in this valley. It's beautiful in its own right and certainly worth preserving. Its this diversity of life that keeps our world healthy. Even those unsightly weeds have a place in evolution. As insignificant as they seem, displaced native grasses and weeds can have extremely adverse effects. Their absence invites in non-native species which can disrupt well-established ecological cycles.
I could go on like this for quite some time, but the moral I wish to convey is simple enough and need not be lost in specifics. Essentially, evolution has established delicate ecological relationships within each of these environments. Some are less aesthetically pleasing to human beings, and thus suffer our erroneous wrath. Mankind needs to take greater care to recognize the true value of generally unremarkable things like prairie grasses or ocean bottomfeeders. Seen through an ecological lens, each of these places are equally beautiful. So don't simply dismiss a place for its lack of greenery. This diversity is essential after all. Nature has its ugly ducklings, so to speak, but we should learn to see through our aesthetic judgments.
And I'm not advocating we leave every track of land untouched, but rather that we engage it with knowledge of the aforementioned cycles. We human beings are a part of nature after all, and we need to better execute our role as participants in the natural world.
This subject holds particular relevance for me not only because I recently read Plato's Symposium and dealt with the concept of Platonic forms, but because this year I've encountered a tremendous variety of new ecosystems. From the oak woodlands of northern California through to the state's agricultural heart. Then to high deserts of Arizona and finally back up to the Blue Mountains of Walla Walla County. My travels have taken me all the way up and down the west coast; each location carrying its own personality and characteristics. My issue, simply put, is how are we to value them? Our answers, even casually considered, can have immense ecological implications.
The fact of the matter is that forests are the poster boys of the natural realm. They get the most love, protection and consideration. It is generally agreed upon that the destruction of woodlands, except out of necessity for timber, is a deplorable act. And while the timber industry certainly has its issues, I'm not so concerned with them here. Trees have status. What I'm more concerned with currently are ecosystems like prairies, deserts and tundras. Places that don't garner much fanfare. They are often seen as barren and unattractive, devoid of any real worth. While these are blatant misconceptions, they leave our less aesthetically pleasing locales open to exploitation. The public isn't moved to preserve a plot of what they see as dead grass. Yet these attitudes are a result of poor ecological education. And they were the bane of Aldo Leopold's existence.
Simply because the complexities of these systems are hidden, doesn't preclude their existence. When I first came to Walla Walla, I thought the area outside of the Whitman campus to be one of the most unattractive places I had ever been. Besides Bakersville, CA of course. But now that I'm settled in here, and enrolled in a natural history course, I'm beginning to perceive the fine balance that exists in this valley. It's beautiful in its own right and certainly worth preserving. Its this diversity of life that keeps our world healthy. Even those unsightly weeds have a place in evolution. As insignificant as they seem, displaced native grasses and weeds can have extremely adverse effects. Their absence invites in non-native species which can disrupt well-established ecological cycles.
I could go on like this for quite some time, but the moral I wish to convey is simple enough and need not be lost in specifics. Essentially, evolution has established delicate ecological relationships within each of these environments. Some are less aesthetically pleasing to human beings, and thus suffer our erroneous wrath. Mankind needs to take greater care to recognize the true value of generally unremarkable things like prairie grasses or ocean bottomfeeders. Seen through an ecological lens, each of these places are equally beautiful. So don't simply dismiss a place for its lack of greenery. This diversity is essential after all. Nature has its ugly ducklings, so to speak, but we should learn to see through our aesthetic judgments.
And I'm not advocating we leave every track of land untouched, but rather that we engage it with knowledge of the aforementioned cycles. We human beings are a part of nature after all, and we need to better execute our role as participants in the natural world.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
My Current Obsession #2
Today was a beautiful, sun-drenched day in Walla Walla. A very unusual occurrence in late January. Temperatures graciously rose into the low 50's for our enjoyment. And let me tell you, I got as much enjoyment out of those rays as I possibly could. Because the immediate forecast ain't looking so lovely.
The reason I tell you this, however, is because my current obsession is a band relevantly named Dragged Into Sunlight. And that's just how I felt today. Finally escaping my residence hall for a run, some soccer, frisbee and even a litte tree-climbing session. With today's events, I'm actually a little sorry to be back behind this computer screen.
But alas, I hope you appreciate being dragged into the sunlight as well. Literally and metaphorically speaking.
Nothing quite like some blackened death/grind to brighten your day.
The reason I tell you this, however, is because my current obsession is a band relevantly named Dragged Into Sunlight. And that's just how I felt today. Finally escaping my residence hall for a run, some soccer, frisbee and even a litte tree-climbing session. With today's events, I'm actually a little sorry to be back behind this computer screen.
But alas, I hope you appreciate being dragged into the sunlight as well. Literally and metaphorically speaking.
Nothing quite like some blackened death/grind to brighten your day.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Home on the Range
I want to talk a little bit about a new trend that's gaining momentum in today's world. Despite the fact that it's not really a trend at all: Modern Homesteading.
Once upon a time this was simply a way of life and required no title. People knew how to live off the land; how to raise their own food and protect themselves from the elements. Unfortunately, we are so out of touch with our basic skills that the prospect of churning your own butter almost constitutes an act of rebellion. Not to mention as primitive and peasant-like. Humans today feel as though they automatically inherit the right to pre-packaged dairy goods simply by virtue of their anatomy. People aren't willing to earn it anymore. Except those riding the wave of modern homesteading. But let's clarify momentarily: I am in full support of this movement. My only qualm is that ideally it need not even exist. I suppose it merely speaks to the immense alienation of man from his original environment and mode of existence.
I'm certainly no one to point fingers, being a complete product of technology and expedience; a concession must make time and again. But all the same, it pains me to see mankind reduced to a collectively of nearly helpless individuals. Please don't take it personally. I'm sure you're all terrifically multifaceted individuals, but as a whole our race is reliant upon the proliferation of industry and specialization.
As such, it has become necessary to create a support network for like-minded homesteaders to share and pass along knowledge. Websites like Motherearthnews.com have stepped in to occupy the now vacant role of informative elders. The skills to live independently are no longer passed down through generations. The advent of the white picket fence has effectively kept them at bay. Nonetheless, a reclamation is being mounted. Individuals are awakening to the realization that things are not right in the world, and by no means sustainable. They are taking back self-sufficiency one step at a time.
And I want to be right there with them. Let's make honest labor sexy again.
Once upon a time this was simply a way of life and required no title. People knew how to live off the land; how to raise their own food and protect themselves from the elements. Unfortunately, we are so out of touch with our basic skills that the prospect of churning your own butter almost constitutes an act of rebellion. Not to mention as primitive and peasant-like. Humans today feel as though they automatically inherit the right to pre-packaged dairy goods simply by virtue of their anatomy. People aren't willing to earn it anymore. Except those riding the wave of modern homesteading. But let's clarify momentarily: I am in full support of this movement. My only qualm is that ideally it need not even exist. I suppose it merely speaks to the immense alienation of man from his original environment and mode of existence.
I'm certainly no one to point fingers, being a complete product of technology and expedience; a concession must make time and again. But all the same, it pains me to see mankind reduced to a collectively of nearly helpless individuals. Please don't take it personally. I'm sure you're all terrifically multifaceted individuals, but as a whole our race is reliant upon the proliferation of industry and specialization.
As such, it has become necessary to create a support network for like-minded homesteaders to share and pass along knowledge. Websites like Motherearthnews.com have stepped in to occupy the now vacant role of informative elders. The skills to live independently are no longer passed down through generations. The advent of the white picket fence has effectively kept them at bay. Nonetheless, a reclamation is being mounted. Individuals are awakening to the realization that things are not right in the world, and by no means sustainable. They are taking back self-sufficiency one step at a time.
And I want to be right there with them. Let's make honest labor sexy again.
Friday, January 14, 2011
My Current Obsession
So I've been lax as of late. But that's because I've been making the most of California's moderate climes before I must return to the frostbitten wastelands of Washington. More on some of those experiences later. Currently, however, I'm going to institute a new periodic column. As the title indicates, it will be composed of whatever I am currently obsessed with; be it an idea, a website, or just mushrooms.
This week's obsession happens to be an album. Ghost's Opus Eponymous. Who ever said that lyrics about Satan and human sacrifice couldn't have a sexy hard rock swag to them?
While Ghost has nothing to do with the environment, I couldn't help but share their infectious Satanic grooves with my very small constituency. This is one of the most addicting albums I've listened to in recent times. The tremendous juxtaposition of the lyrics against its actual delivery is simply something you don't come across in today's world of strictly drawn genre lines. Maybe its charm will wear off soon, but for now I'm content to spin Opus Eponymous on repeat. These Swedes have me hooked.
And look, Ghost doesn't even need lyrics to write fucking awesome songs:
This week's obsession happens to be an album. Ghost's Opus Eponymous. Who ever said that lyrics about Satan and human sacrifice couldn't have a sexy hard rock swag to them?
While Ghost has nothing to do with the environment, I couldn't help but share their infectious Satanic grooves with my very small constituency. This is one of the most addicting albums I've listened to in recent times. The tremendous juxtaposition of the lyrics against its actual delivery is simply something you don't come across in today's world of strictly drawn genre lines. Maybe its charm will wear off soon, but for now I'm content to spin Opus Eponymous on repeat. These Swedes have me hooked.
And look, Ghost doesn't even need lyrics to write fucking awesome songs:
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Speaking of Slow...
Now that winter is upon us, it's the perfect time to curl up and listen to some glacially-paced, crushing doom/sludge metal. Or basically anything heavy and slow. Here are just a few fine selections that will deepen your wintry despair:
Thou- Summit
Grief- Come to Grief
Harvey Milk- A Small Turn of Human Kindness
Isis- Wavering Radiant
Gojira- From Mars to Sirius
Buried Inside- Spoils of Failure
Ahab- The Divinity of Oceans
Lesbian- Stratospheria Cubensis
Opeth- Still Life
Triptykon- Eparistera Daimones
Insomnium- Across the Dark
Swallow the Sun- New Moon
Mar de Grises- Stream Inwards
Sleep- Sleep's Holy Mountain
Thou- Summit
Grief- Come to Grief
Harvey Milk- A Small Turn of Human Kindness
Isis- Wavering Radiant
Gojira- From Mars to Sirius
Buried Inside- Spoils of Failure
Ahab- The Divinity of Oceans
Lesbian- Stratospheria Cubensis
Opeth- Still Life
Triptykon- Eparistera Daimones
Insomnium- Across the Dark
Swallow the Sun- New Moon
Mar de Grises- Stream Inwards
Sleep- Sleep's Holy Mountain
Monday, January 3, 2011
This Year's Goal: To Slow Down
Some of you may have already heard about the whole Slow Food or Slow City movement, but I think it's necessary that we extend those ideals into a Slow Economy. An economy in which money is kept circulating locally, supporting local entrepreneurs, struggling artisans and honest laborers. I'm sure I've extolled these virtues somewhere along the line in this blog, but I feel it's worth reiterating for the new year. It's time to permanently alter our perspectives.
Things don't have to happen so quickly after all, it tends to suck the life out of the simple pleasures. Compare our existences with that of our great-grandparents. The differences are striking. They were much happier with much less. I don't think the perceived progress of today's society is necessarily a good thing. There's less self-reliance and a whole lot more useless specialization. Hardly any of our youth have the practical skills to keep themselves alive outside of our cheap, plastic paradises. Recapturing slow lives doesn't necessarily entail old-time frontier living. Though I don't think that's such a bad thing.
Basically there is a need for so-called 'conscientious capitalism' in today's day and age. These practices favor more benevolent business practices and harness the productive capacity of creative individuals. When people are more emotionally invested in their products of labor and consumption, there's less call for faceless corporations that harbor impenetrable legal protections and trample public health for the sake of the dollar. How we came to rely on them in the first place is still a mystery to me. If we can escape the need for their services, I think we will all be much far more contented.
In order to bring these changes about, the most practical solution is to think of each dollar spent as a political act. One dollar = one vote. We consumers hold much more power than we tend to realize. This influence remains largely untapped. By concentrating our money in slow practices, there is no end to the benefits.
Producers will respond to our investments and preferences. How else did a company like Walmart become one of the largest distributors of organic milk? They strive to appease us. If we're content consuming cheap, unhealthy products, then they're fine producing them. So the next time you're in the grocery store, or any store really, think about who and what you're supporting. Is it a local farm, or an Iowan monocrop? A Chinese import or a handcrafted piece of art? It's high time we started considering these factors in our economic decisions. Our health and the health of the environment is often neglected because they don't carry strict monetary values. By changing the speed at which we operate and expect things, we can rectify the problems, freeing ourselves from reliance on greedy corporations and the like.
Just bear some of this in mind for the new year.
Things don't have to happen so quickly after all, it tends to suck the life out of the simple pleasures. Compare our existences with that of our great-grandparents. The differences are striking. They were much happier with much less. I don't think the perceived progress of today's society is necessarily a good thing. There's less self-reliance and a whole lot more useless specialization. Hardly any of our youth have the practical skills to keep themselves alive outside of our cheap, plastic paradises. Recapturing slow lives doesn't necessarily entail old-time frontier living. Though I don't think that's such a bad thing.
Basically there is a need for so-called 'conscientious capitalism' in today's day and age. These practices favor more benevolent business practices and harness the productive capacity of creative individuals. When people are more emotionally invested in their products of labor and consumption, there's less call for faceless corporations that harbor impenetrable legal protections and trample public health for the sake of the dollar. How we came to rely on them in the first place is still a mystery to me. If we can escape the need for their services, I think we will all be much far more contented.
In order to bring these changes about, the most practical solution is to think of each dollar spent as a political act. One dollar = one vote. We consumers hold much more power than we tend to realize. This influence remains largely untapped. By concentrating our money in slow practices, there is no end to the benefits.
Producers will respond to our investments and preferences. How else did a company like Walmart become one of the largest distributors of organic milk? They strive to appease us. If we're content consuming cheap, unhealthy products, then they're fine producing them. So the next time you're in the grocery store, or any store really, think about who and what you're supporting. Is it a local farm, or an Iowan monocrop? A Chinese import or a handcrafted piece of art? It's high time we started considering these factors in our economic decisions. Our health and the health of the environment is often neglected because they don't carry strict monetary values. By changing the speed at which we operate and expect things, we can rectify the problems, freeing ourselves from reliance on greedy corporations and the like.
Just bear some of this in mind for the new year.
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