Wendell Berry discusses the "rational" and "sympathetic" mind in terms of decision making or coming to a conclusion. Although both are based off feeling, only one accounts for the feelings for everyone. Rational means that the person uses logic at the time to make a quick decision that doesn't typically take into account its effects on others. On the other hand, Sympathetic minds use both logic AND reason when attempting to draw a conclusion. Therefore a sympathetic mind looks for a more well rounded and universally efficient solution to a situation.
An example of Reece's sympathetic mind comes into play when he discusses pollution on the mountain and comparing it the mudslides that happened in California. Every mudslide in California recieved national attention while each slide caused by valley fills in Appalachia are ignored. He recognizes that in one way or anything, just like in California, these mudslides are important for all of us to be concerned with, not just the immediate people close to the situation. Because its not just an isolated incident, its a way of life that produces this. Another example comes when he gets the inspectors to realize there is an issue with the water. He didn't exactly have much authority in the situation, but he knew something needed to be said as he was acting on behalf on the best interests of everyone's health.
I have chosen to look at Reeces quote on page 231 about America not signing the Kyoto Protocol. Reece then asks "Why are we as Americans so stubbornly immune to to understanding the world as something miraculous, as something imbued with spirit, as something worth preserving?" I found it gut wrenchingly clear once I read that that he is absolutely right. His words "stubbornly immune" I feel were very effective in that those two words can describe America so well in so many different senses of the words. Even when we recognize there is a problem we are too stubborn to do something. People talk and talk, but no one actually does something. We are too stubborn, or just plain lazy. And its true, we are too concealed in our own worlds that have been bestowed upon us by cell phones, internet, and the incessant pursuit of money that we forget that none of this would be possible if it weren't for the natural gifts of the earth. I think its time to realize that we realize that earth itself is a gift, and that we return the favor with a natural and genuine display of respect.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I like the quote you picked. It shows how Americans mainly have a "rational" mindset. They are thinking short term at their immediate issues. Many people bring up these issues but fall short and don't do anything about it because it is not harming them.
ReplyDeleteI feel that America is based on the idea of growth and development. From the time this country was founded to the present time is not a very long time at all, and look at all that has been accomplished. We consider ourselves one of the world's super powers. How did me achieve this status so fast? By making our economy and development run on the idea of consumption. Something like the Kyoto Protocol does not fit in with our way of life. When the Protocol came out it was not such a far stretch to achieve the terms of the protocol, but now in order to meet the terms, we would have to spend so much money to catch up with other countries who signed the protocol when it originally came out.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your quote and found it to be a quote that goes well with the overall message of Lost Mountain. I how ever disagree with you that Americans for the most part are lazy and that's the reason that nothing is being done to help stop strip mining. You can see within Lost Mountain the many steps that people are trying to take towards ending this potentially harmful process. I have found that the reason nothing is being done is that we have not been able to find alternatives that compare to the easy and affordability that comes with strip mining, and once we do find alternatives this process will be ended.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about the mudslides and how differently they are looked at. California's mudslides get every one attentions, yet the ones occurring from coal companies destroying the environment to get coal are barely even heard of. I never even knew that much about this topic until I read this book but I am astonished that this is not worldly news. This is a horrible thing that is happening, people are dying from these mudslides and rocks falling. Peoples homes and land are destroyed and they are left with nothing, just because we need to coal and we want to only get it the cheap way. unbelievable.
ReplyDelete