Wendell Berry discusses two different mindsets, Rational and Sympathetic. He discusses a rational mind as the people that are not worried about the environment as much as they are about the profit they are making and the economy they live in. He goes on to talk about how the sympathetic minds are the people that are all about the environment and the wild. He explains that rational people to “think like the mountain,” or in other words look at the entire environment as a whole. He, you could say is a rational mind by the way he discusses it and makes it out to be a more healthy way of living.
Reece shows his sympathetic mind by showing his frustration on page 184 by saying, “It’s already f***** up anyway. Why not mine it.” He is saying that this is the way these ignorant people think. He discusses how the ignorant people already trashed the mountain and then further believe since it is already trashed why not mine it. By showing his frustration this is a clear time where Reece shows his sympathetic mind. Another time he shows his sympathetic mind is when Peter Edelman was giving his speech, he was discussing the benefits of the level land and how he believes the way they are mining is a great way and hope to be doing it ten years from now. Reece then writes how he could have mentioned forest fragmentation, species loss, flooding, and the sham of reclamation. He is showing here how he is thinks first about the environment rather than profit or the economy.
There are many great quotes that Reece said in the conclusion but the one that keeps coming back to me is, “In America today, the environment is almost a wholly other. We are over here, and it is over there. We are in the air-conditioned mall; it is hot and crawling with bugs. And anyone who prefers the out-there is an environmentalist, that oddly dressed guy who thinks this diminutive planet might be worth saving (p.230-231).” I also agree with Reece on this quote because Americans do think in this manner about the environment. Americans feel as if they could not live without air-conditioning in their houses because it would not comfortable. If Americans were to switch lives with people in a 3rd world country, we would quickly see how spoiled and dependent on clean water and air-conditioned building Americans are. This is not to say it is wrong because anyone that is raised with the privileges Americans have would all feel deprived going to other a 3rd world country and living without the necessities we have here in America. I do believe that Americans can give some of there living styles up for the better of the world’s environment.
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I don't think Reece is endorsing the view of the Appalachian people you discuss above. He says it is used as an excuse to mine. It's a kind of blame the victim move by the advocates of strip mining.
ReplyDeleteOn the quote: I fear that if saving the environment depends on Americans giving up their privileged lifestyles, we are certainly doomed! That hypothesis leads to some interesting questions of what a realistic fix might be. I have lived in the third world. It's a good thing to go do and learn from, but it did not make me want to live without hot showers, AC, central heating, cars, roomy houses, computers and electric guitars.
I liked the quote you used from the last chapter. And I completely agree that we can give up some lifestyles to help the worlds environment. Even small changes could help
ReplyDeleteI agree with your quote. People are very stubborn with their lifestyles. It is not completely their fault because they were raised with these privileges. The question is are we going to become aware of these issues and change our habits?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the quote. When i went to Hong Kong to visit family a while back, it was really hot outside. From the moment you stepped outside you would immediately start sweating. It sucked. Most homes couldn't even afford to have air conditioning unless they were middle to upper class. They would use fans instead but that still wouldn't beat the intense heat. When there were air conditioners, it wasn't central air, it was a space air conditioner which helped a lot. From this experience, I am thankful for air conditioning but it's not on my mind all the time. It's stuff like this that reminds me to be thankful for what i have.
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