Biophilia Essay

Mrs. Andrews

Freshman Seminar

Analysis Paper

October 31, 2014

                                                      Nature Keeps the Crazy Away

    Why has this sudden outbreak of mental disaster surged through the world and infected everyones mines, stealing their sanity? Ever since the burst of technology happened people have been spending more time in front of a screen and less time out in te real world of nature and serenity. In an interview by Steve Inskeep, Richard Louv argue that the human need to spend time in the natural world to maintain mental stability. Louv’s argument proves to be credible, convincing, and certain to make the readers think twice about their consuming of technology compared to their time spent surrounded by nature.

    In the interview Louv discusses how time spent outside  should not only be alone quiet time but time spent with family and friends. He recalled on a memorable experience while fishing with his mother, seeing a competitive side of her. He states “Those things are hard  to forget.” There are certain special memories that are engraved in individuals brains and will forever leave a mark of happiness in their hearts. These moments will not come as easily with watching T.V. or playing video games or playing “flappy bird” on an iphone. That are all short term and can catch people off guard quickly as  they wonder where the time went and how they got so behind on work or how they forgot to meet their friend at the park. This is why it is so important to look up from the devices and emerge into nature to clear the mind of all the ruckus it has been carrying around.

    The importance of experience nature is not to simply help people. It is for people to give back to nature. Everything we have on earth had to come from somewhere and humans certainly do not have the magic that nature does. Thomas Berry who wrote the book “Evening Thoughts”, writes a chapter called “The Place of the Human”, which helps support Louvs theory that people need nature. In this chapter her first discusses the seven “transcendences” to which he believes that people fall under. The transcendences are what causes people to lack appreciation on the natural world. They go as follows: monotheistic creative deity, he spiritual nature of the human, our belief in redemption, transcendence of the mind, technology, and the historical destiny for humans. To sum it up, Berry argues that people have been raised to believe in a god that created everyone and made a place called heaven where everyone can live in harmony after they surpass this world. The earth is greatly under appreciated. And of course technology has not helped.  

    Near the end of the chapter Berry talks about the illusion of the “Wonder World.” He states “This automobile, that bar of soap, this or that trinket will bring you to Wonder World. What we are really getting is  a Waste World.” People are constantly in over their head about what the except to be given in this life and fail to notice what they already have.

        Another author that would support Louvs claims is a man named Edward O. Wilson. He wrote a book called “Biophilia” and it this book there is a chapter called “The right place”. In this chapter he states “If certain human feelings are innate, they might not be easily expressed in rational language. A more promising approach is to explore the nature of the environment in which the brain evolved.” This quote perfectly Louv statement that nature will keep humans mentally stable. If one starts to lose control of their mind, they should bring their mind back to its natural biological environment. He continues to support this claim by saying “It is that certain key features of the ancient physical habitat that match the choices made by modern human beings when they have a say in the matter.” This quote puts one last arguments on how peoples lives revolve around their biological background even when we are living in modern day society. Wilson also illustrates the perfect setting for the human. Under a tree and on a hill that overlooks the sunset and the “beauty of the contrast between the golden carpet of buffalo grass and the pale green of the mesquite trees dotting its surface.”

    To help support the biological connection to the earth, authors Brian Swimme and Mary tucker deepen the relationship between humans and the earth in their book called “Journey of the Universe.” With a unique outlook, the authors compare people to the start and state “the stars are our ancestors.” They argue that both people and start attract and repel even though human are emotional and stars feel the reaction chemically. In addition, both stars and humans started from a single cell and turned into something complex. The authors all clearly argue why nature is important and give the readers various reason why nature is crucial to the well being of individuals. In order to maintain mental stability, people need to visit home once in a while, and I am not talking about the once with a man made roof.

                    Works Cited

Berry, Thomas. Evening Thoughts: The Place of the Human. February 16, 2011.

Swimme, Brian. Tucker, Mary E. Journey of the Universe.Yale University Press, 2011

Louv, Richard. Interview By Steve Inskeep. Saving Kids from A Nature Deficit Disorder’. May 25, 2005. http://www.npr.org/templates/story.php

Wilson O., Edward. Biophilia: The Right Place. January 1986.