WR prompt #5: Leopold’s take on CONSUMERISM…

www.chrisjordan.com/images/current/1121878289.jpg

I’d like you to consider this prompt in light of our conversation Tuesday about the similarities and differences between Leopold “sketches” and Trumpey’s lectures. Remember that there were as many overlaps of core concepts and attitudes as there were distinctions.

In lecture we have been talking about the “production based and consumer oriented” nature of our global society.* Find a quote from Sand County that illustrates Leopold’s opinion on this topic. The text is FULL of his observations infused with either implicit or explicit commentary on consumerism (see examples below). Summarize the context of the quote, explain Leopold’s main points and tone. Reflect on your individual experience in our production-based/ consumerist society. Give an example from your personal experience/ observations that relates to the quote you chose.

Things to think about: There are many ways you could approach this depending on which quote you choose. Think about his discussion of the paradox of conservation (100-101) or how not “thinking like a mountain” actually leads to poorer situation for the consumer (129-133).

Examples:
• “The high priests of progress knew nothing of cranes, and cared less. What good is a species more or less among engineers? What good is an undrained marsh anyhow?” (100)
• “To build a road is so much simpler than to think of what the country really needs” (101)
• “…but if I were (an economist) I should do all my pondering lying prone on the sand, with Draba at nose length” (103)
• “everything on this farm spells money in the bank…even the pigs look solvent” (119)
• “…Thoreau’s dictum: In wildness is the salvation of the world” (133)

Last thing: No more slacking on citing your sources in the other WRs!!! (I know most of you have been doing this, so disregard). This was a clear requirement of all written work in this class (it’s for your own good- trust me☺) and I have to take off points when you don’t list your citations.

*(note: this is no longer just a critique of “Americans” or “American society” but a pervasive global trend).

Leopold, Aldo. Sand County Almanac, and Sketches Here and There. New York: Oxford UP, 1949.

Trumpey, Joseph. Art Design Perspective 3: Technology and the Environment. Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor, MI. 5 and 7 Oct 2009. Lecture.

world changing response 4

Public health is a huge issue in todays society. It is important for us as individuals to understand health, in order for our communities to be safe environments.It is interesting to note that the country of Sweden has the lowest rate of teen pregnancies, and is also commended for achieving such a low rate in the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. it is stated that Sweden has put sexual heath education as one of their priorities in an educational setting. They teach, and believe that "personal relationships", and "sexual identity" are important aspects of everyday life. There is much emphasis on sex, and therefore the youth of Sweden are well educated, and have come to make healthy decisions. Why dont we take from them these ideas, and start instituting the deeper sexual education in our schools? This will only help prevent teen pregnancies, and lower the rate of STD's. The more that we know on the subject, can only help us in the long run. Why is a country that is so defined and developed (USA), so behind when it comes to the teaching of sexual identity? I believe that if we grow up around these ideas and beliefs, the youth of america will be less "rebellious" when it comes to sex, causing people to be more aware and more careful. I feel that the US is way to concerned about the issue at hand, yet nothing is being done about it, in efforts to better the public health of our society.

World Changing Response 3

One way we can change our technologies to better coincide with nature is to mimic it.  Instead of fighting nature, work with it and allow its preconceived ways to influence ours.  For example, scientists at Lewis and Clark College and the University of California, Berkley have designed an adhesive to mimic the sticky feet of geckos’.  It does not leave a chemical residue, and is not only suitable to replace tape or glue, but also screws, nails, and much more.  This could “enhance our ability to design for disassembly, an important part of Cradle to Cradle [sustainable products] thinking” (Steffen 101). By using tools and ideas from nature, we are more apt to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

 

 

Steffen, Alex. World Changing: A User's Guide For the 21^st

 Century. New York, NY: Abrams, 2008. Print.

Weekly Response 4

Levester­­ Williams

ADP III: Technology and Environment

October 3, 2009

Milk It, Baby!

Fragments of nature have been imbued within our speech in the form of idiomatic expressions. Each expression has its own connotation and denotation within our culture by designating each expression to fit a particular situation in our lives. Within the realm of nature, we express ourselves clearly. The idiomatic expressions that I chose are sub rosa, which is Latin for “under the rose,” and cum grano salis, which is Latin for “with a grain of salt."

The Latin idiom sub rosa means confidentiality in our terms. Before I researched its origin, I thought this phrase was place in a context where corruption could be found. Since roses have thorns under the petals, I falsely conceived that “under the rose” specifically meant to keep a corrupted act a secret. In great literature such as classics by William Shakespeare’s Hamlet where Denmark is stated to be “an unweeded garden / That grows to seed” (Shakespeare 11), thorns are associated with corruption.

Actually, in Egypt, the rose is the emblem that is associated with the ancient Egyptian god Horus, the god of silence. The Greeks adopted the Egyptian god and called him Harpocrates. With a misinterpretation of the posture of the god’s statue, the Greeks incorporated the expression “sub rosa” to correspond to the statue holding its one finger up to its lips, as if to declare “secrecy”, but in actuality it is sucking its finger. Therefore, the Greeks incorporate it into their mythology by exclaiming that Cupid, the son of Aphrodite, gives a rose to Harpocrates as gratitude for upholding a secret from Aphrodite. The roses adorn the ceilings of the forum of the Greek council’s rendezvous and discuss in “secrecy.” Also, in the Roman banquet, roses adorned the ceilings as to apprise all that what is spoken sub wino, Latin for “under the [influence of] wine,” is sub rosa (“SubRosa”). The meaning of sub rosa has not been changed over time.

The Latin idiom cum grano salis means to accept things while being alert of its genuineness, “to take [something] with a grain of salt.” However, this expression is transmuted over the ages since it original context is actually to take salt to facilitate the consumption of something. I speculated that this phrase derives from Colonial times where blacks were slaves. I assumed they added much salt to their food since whites gave only the “detestable” parts of an animal to the slaves; therefore, slaves heavily salted the meat being skeptical about it taste. In actuality, the phrase originally derives from Pliny’s Natural Historia where a grain of salt is added to a recipe to consume the antidote to negate the effects of all poison. The meaning of cum grano salis probably changed since our culinary aspect has changed dramatically. Our variety of food has changed since we are in a country where new food items are being introduced. Being a preservative and having the ability to brng forth taste, salt add much favor to a bland food. Therefore, people may be skeptical about eating a food, so they might add a “grain of salt” due to skepticism, not facilitation as in its origin ("Take").

Works Cited

"SubRosa Magick - Origin of Sub Rosa." SubRosa Magick - Join Us Under the rose! Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .

"Take with a grain of salt." The meanings and origins of sayings and phrases http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/take-with-a-grain-of-salt.html. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .

William, Shakespeare,. Hamlet. New York: Dover Publications, 1992. Print.

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Response 3

It is difficult to comprehend where the items I own originate.  There is a certain ignorance that goes along with not coming to terms with how we get various products.  I feel as though if more people were aware of where electricity comes from or where we are really getting our fruit from, we would be able to change environmental, production, and pollution issues.  The main problem is the fact that we purchase goods that are from across the world.  Not only is this impractical, but it is creating unnecessary pollution.  It does not make sense to buy foods that were grown South America.  We do not know where they come from or even what these foods are being grown in. 

As Leopold points out “there are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm.  One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace” (Leopold 6).  Of course it would be a great idea for our food to all be grown locally, to have clothing made by the community, and electricity generated through alternative power sources.  This would also, in turn, help the economy of the local community.  There would really only be positive outcomes through practice of this simple concept.  However, there would have to be drastic changes in how the nation imports and exports materials.  As well as vastly change the basic outline of the economy.  Therefore, Leopold’s statement is definitely relevant to today’s world.  The only concept that I would disagree with is the fact that everyone should own a farm.  If we were to grow everything locally I do not think that it would be necessary for every household to have a farm.  Just certain people in the community should take care of produce. 

In my life I can honestly say I know very little information as far as where my clothes, food, heat, and energy sources originate.  It is difficult to even the way I go about purchasing items.  I have very little resources to be able to buy my food locally or have an alternative energy source for my home. The only way to truly make an difference is to have the government make these drastic changes.  As I like the idea of leading an agricultural life, I do not know if it will ever 

WR Prompt #4: Milk it, Baby!

Yes, yes I DO want you to get the most out of this class, out of college, out of life in general... BUT... That's not what this post is about.

This week's prompt is a little different. Consider the common expression "milk (something) for what it's worth"/ "She's milking this situation"/ "Go for it baby, milk it!"

Our contemporary speech is littered with verbal phrases/ metaphors/ parables etc. whose roots are agrarian and yet we use them in non-farm-related contexts.

Your assignment is:

1. Find 2 idiomatic expressions whose origin is in agriculture ("don't count your chickens til they're hatched") OR that has a relationship to the environment (to "turn over a new leaf"). My hope is that you will come upon these in your everyday life. You'll find that to find TWO is actually a piece of cake. The trick is in #2:

2. You are not allowed to repeat someone else's phrases. Check the blog before you post. I'll be making a list so that we can all "reap the benefits" of a concerted effort. This is both to see what you are able to come up with as well as an incentive not to procrastinate; the "early bird" will have it easy.

3. Once you have your two expressions, restate in your OWN WORDS what you think they meant when they came about (imagine in what context they were used- Ask yourself Who, What, When, Where, Why and How).

4. Do some research (wikapedia is fine) to verify your speculation (#3). You might be surprised at the origin of certain sayings. For ex."Come Hell or high water" comes from cattle ranching, in particular "the driving of cattle to railheads in the mid West in the latter part of the nineteenth century. In 1939 Paul Wellman published a book with the title Trampling Herd: the Story of the Cattle Range in America in which he wrote: “ ‘In spite of hell and high water’ is a legacy of the cattle trail when the cowboys drove their horn-spiked masses of longhorns through high water at every river and continuous hell between.” (http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-com1.htm)

4. Put them in the context of today's use. Discuss how it differs (if at all) from its source. Give your reasons for why you think the expression caught on in vernacular setting and why/ how the meaning evolved.

These instructions may seem long, but the ultimate result will be fairly quick compared to other weeks. As you all have already started seeing differently (i.e. thinking about your role in relationship to global systems, noticing what you previously overlooked, etc.), now I'm asking you to listen carefully to what you and others say. Our cultural heritage is rich in remnants of our past and they are not only important to informing our future choices but in teaching us to pay attention to our roots.

ps. (as if this wasn't long enough) I just wanted to mention that I'll add bonus points to anyone who surpasses the minimum requirement of coming up with 2 idioms or who comes up with idiomatic expressions from other languages (with the corresponding translation and cultural explanation, of course) -Reed

World changing response 3

Its very interesting that “living in a compact space” is very desirable these days. It may have to do with the fact that our economy, which seems to be spiraling downwards faster and faster by the second: forcing people into smaller dwellings. Or it could be the new fascination with a smaller, more intimate living environment. In the section “Living Well in a Compact Space” there is a sub-category called “Convertible Kitchenettes”. This particular section somehow stuck out to me. I believe that this idea is both positive and negative. Although this idea may in fact help consolidate and make a smaller area more livable by conserving space and keeping things more organized. It is also interesting to note that this idea/design also confuses me somewhat. I find that this design sort of eliminates the idea of having separate areas in the home designated for relaxation, and a “kitchen”, where “housework” seems to be the main activity associated with that area. When does trying to make life easier and more convenient end? When can we as a people take what we have and make the best of it (small homes included), without trying to destroy the simple functions and ideas that we are already so accustomed to?  Why can’t we just keep certain things separate? Consolidation and the ideas that most designs these days are intended for the use of multi-tasking are the two reasons that I believe  to contribute to making out society lazy, and less appreciative of life itself.