Blog Critique, Week 2

For the critique for week 2, I will be focusing on Thomas Davis' blog on Nature.

First and foremost, Thomas explains that there are many different definitions and assumptions about words like "natural" and organic," and every person and every discipline seems to have different definitions and different perspectives. In our textbook "Key Concepts in Geography," Clifford refers to this contest of meanings and understanding of nature, which I think is useful in understanding this key concept.

Nature is a contested term that means different things to different people in different places. Generally, this contestation revolves around three main meanings: the 'nature' or essence of a thing; 'nature' as a material place external to humanity; and 'nature' as a universal law or reality that may or may not include humans. (Clifford 2009)

This debate on whether humans are a part of nature or not is quite an interesting one. Never before on our planet has any species had such an incredible and massive impact on our planet and on other species, but does that really make humans and our way of life and our evolution "unnatural?"

The perspective of the Cranesville Swamp is an important one. One one hand, should we leave it completely alone, since we are trying to preserve "natrual" landscape? But at the same time, the entirety of that land has been impacted by humans, from non-native species being planted after log harvesting, to the degradation of the original soil and original trees to the pollution in the air. If we replant trees, is that really a "natural" phenomenon? Is the human touch a "natural" phenomenon? I think it is an interesting topic to think about and there some important questions to be asked.

I liked his use of T. Hagerstrand's article on Geography and the Study of Interaction Between Nature and Society. It really shows that humans are a part of nature, and we have a responsibility. Gregory quotes John Locke (1690) in the Dictionary of Human Geography. It really shows how quickly humans have changed in our relationship with nature.

In the first ages of the world men were more in danger to be lost, by wantering from their company, in the then vast wilderness of the earth, than to be straitened for want of room to plant in. And the same measure may be allowed still without prejudice to anybody, as full as the world seems. (Locke, 1690)

This was a very well thought-out and well-researched post. The perspective of showing how we are interacting and impacting nature, but also recognizing that we are a part of nature, is an important one.

Gregory, Derek. The Dictionary of Human Geography. 5th ed. Malden: Blackwell, 2009. Print.

Holloway, Sarah L. Key Concepts in Geography. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications, 2009. Print. 

Locke, J. 1967 [1690] An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. London: Fontana.