Adair Rader- Thoughts on Nature

 In class last week we discussed the reality of nature. This discussion, based on our readings from "Somewhere I Have Never Traveled", completely changed my perspective on the word and concept of "nature". In every day speech, we use the word nature to refer to the space outside of buildings, typically places that have not been altered by human beings. There is a conceptual distance between the lives we lead inside, and nature. We think of nature as being distanced from us. 

However, that is not the case. Nature surrounds us constantly. Our houses, schools, and roads are all built on nature. We exist in buildings with temperature control and electricity where nature once was. Journeys through nature are healing because we are designed for nature. 

Scientific evidence supports the healing properties of walking barefoot over grass, for example. We spend so much time staring into computer, restricting our peripheral vision. It is as if the screen becomes our world. Yet, when we walk through wilderness, we engage our panoramic vision which reduces symptoms of stress. 

It came seem that nature is distant from us in the industrial developments we live in, but if we step outside, we return to nature and the environment designed for us. 

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