Being raised in
Siberia, Russia, I have a different standing about the ethical attitude towards
nature.
But before I explain
a cultural relationship similar to Cronon’s essay, first allow me to expand on
civil measures of my home city.
Let’s take Tucson for
example, which has a very strict zoning policy similar to the majority of
larger cities in America. Part of the zoning regulations (City of Tucson Code)
requires that 80% of the desert terrain remain untouched due to the booming
economy and the immature spending of local construction companies. Some areas
are completely gated, forbidding the tampering of land and exploiting
indigenous fauna.
In America, strict
laws are instituted to ensure that wildlife and nature persists. But in my
city, Irkutsk, there are no laws or federal regulation that protect the
surrounding flora and fauna; it is dependent on the cultural and ethical
teaching of the civilians to protect it.
Culturally, the
Russian outlook towards nature is “use it as you must”, but when larger
projects call for native material, the contractor will generally outsource from
a neighboring country (soviet union remains). Generally everyone in Russia owns
a summerhouse that is located far from the city, clustered together with other
similar-use homes. It is like every working town has a vacation town right next
to it. Oftentimes, you’ll even find the same neighbors. It is moreover a
cultural attitude towards the natural way of life: you work and survive in a
booming industrial capital but you live within nature, miles away from the city,
tucked into the most remote woodland. And there is where the ethical values of
human involvement play. That is where your vacation, celebration, camps,
leisure and luxury reside.
A typical russian dacha (summerhouse).
I am lucky to study
in America.
But when I think of my home, I do not picture a city, roads, skyscrapers
or smog, I generally think of never-ending forests, ice-cold lakes and the nurturing
wilderness around me.
I can relate to what you are saying in your blog post. I was not born and raised in the USA either. I was born in Korea, and later moved to California for high school. I lived in Busan, and although today it is very modern and on par with places such as New York with huge buildings, it wasn't always like that. The way remember it was very quiet and peaceful. Recently I revisited my hometown to see drastic changes. Similar to Tucson, there is always construction going on, roads being rebuilt, buildings being built and etc. It always puts the question in my head as of when are they going to stop trying to expand. It takes away the habitats of wildlife as well as natural resources that may never be replenished within my lifetime. Overall great blog post! I can definitely see what perspective you are coming from, and I can relate to some of the comments you made as well.
ReplyDeleteHaving only lived in Tucson, I can only dream of living in a place where you grew up. It sounds really beautiful and tranquil. I guess the closest thing I have to something like that would be my parents house. Even though they live in Tucson they live on the very far Eastside whereas I live right by the U of A. There's always traffic, sirens, lights, dogs barking. Always something to be heard. Where my parents live you can see the stars, hear crickets chirp, coyotes howl. I was over there Saturday night sitting in their backyard and I heard a pack of coyotes wandering around behind their brick wall. It was the best thing I have heard and felt so good to be out there. I guess that is the only way I can relate to where you grew up. It may still be considered the "city" but after reading your post that is what came to mind.
ReplyDeleteGreat writing. :)
I have only lived in two cities so I appreciate your perspective from a different area in the world. I enjoy that you like his school because I have lived here my whole life and the views you have on our nature are exactly how I have looked at them since I moved here.
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