Very nicely put Robin.
On Jan 12, 2012, at 10:44 AM, Robin wrote:
> I wrote:
>
> > "Surely by now people realise that nothing called
> > "nature" can possibly exist outside a cultural context?"
>
> So John Hartog wrote:
>
> > What does that even mean?
>
> I take a walk in a local forest and decide to make a recording. The fores=
t did not exist before it was constructed by humans, in the literal sense t=
hat almost no primeval / original forest remains in Europe. All such places=
I might choose to occupy are a result of agricultural practices. The walk =
is along a designated path. Even if I vary from this, the floor of the fore=
st is very unlike that in an untamed woods, being largely cleared of detrit=
us. If I am very adventurous, I might explore deep thickets that relatively=
few people have traversed, but even there I might be surprised to find dis=
carded refuse and (as all in this group are aware) the sonic traces of over=
head aircraft, distant automobiles, water craft, and so on.
>
> In my attempt to escape all this and seek a "peaceful", "untouched", "vir=
gin" experience I must remove myself further, but even then can only accomp=
lish my task if I am willing to forget that these concepts are a product of=
particular aesthetic preoccupations, philosophies and artistic movements o=
f the past. The very idea of "taking a walk in nature" is a construct.
>
> As is the idea of "noise", by the way. One listener's annoyance is anothe=
r listener's salve.
>
> > Reality cannot exist outside of a cultural context.
>
> I am not sure how this argument is furthered by making it so general that=
it cannot possibly be addressed. I believe your gambit it congruent with t=
he "straw man" fallacy.
>
> > The word "nature" might however have a specific meaning
> > in the context of this group.
>
> The variety of responses in this thread demonstrates otherwise.
>
> I come to a social milieu such as the one provided by this group precisel=
y so my expectations might be challenged. Here I can see/hear from other pe=
rspectives. I am as happy to hear your coyotes echoing through Oregon as I =
am Mark's icebreaker. Both are part of fictional worlds that have only some=
vague relationship to lived experience. And none whatsoever to mine. Which=
is precisely why they are worth listening to.
>
> -- robinparmar.com
>
>
Danny McCarty
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