What would Henry David Thoreau, a transcendentalist in the 19th century, think if he were
to visit our society today? I think Mr. Thoreau would be very disappointed at the lack
of simplicity like there was in the 1800's, the lack of bonding with nature, and the fast
paced speed at which everything has advanced to. With simplicity being the main
transcendentalist idea, Thoreau would greatly criticize such advanced things as, the
television or the computer. A transcendentalist would believe in the preservance of earth
and to take life slow also. Since the 19th century, society has changed; it has seen
many technological advances, is currently moving at a much faster pace then the 1800's,
and has overgone various environmental issues.
The technological advancements since the 19th century has enabled us to complete common
tasks much easier then it was before. The computer for example, has word-processing
capabilities that enable us to produce a one page report much faster than it is to write
it out. But when the computer breaks, it creates havoc and we get very frustrated and
angry at the hunk of metal if front of us. Repair can be frustrating, costly, and time
consuming. Typing also prevents us from
adding the personal touch to short letters. The handwritten letter is much more personal
and shows your respect for the person receiving the letter. While the computer can be a
nuisance, the television also has its share of frustrations. Suppose you just got
comfortable on the couch, and you change the want to change the channel with the remote.
Now, one of two things can happen; it works or it doesn't. If it does not work, you will
have to get up every time you want to change the channel or adjust the volume. Not only
does the television have the risk of breaking, it also control over people. People
frequently make their daily schedule around their favorite television show so they can
see it. We have grown accustom to having a television in our living rooms. Is this
really necessary? I hope to see the addiction of the time many people waste away at the
television set go down because it just wastes time.
Not only is life complicated, but it is also fast-paced. People always want to squeeze
in more things in a smaller time frame. An example of the fast paced society of today is
the California speed limit that was recently raised from 55 mph to 65 because the natural
fast-paced instinct that people want to move fast in our fast moving world. Not only is
the freeway an example of the fast moving pace of today, is the shopping mall. The
shopping mall lets people shop for what ever they need with a minimal amount of driving
because the stores are located together.
The preservation of nature, another transcendentalist idea, also is not happening in our
current society. With the population growing and the housing space rapidly depleting,
new housing areas must develop. Very uncommonly are there areas for housing that require
no tree pulling or cutting to clear an area for development and building. Those trees
are what help us breath and an important transcendentalist idea. Nature is a source of
truth, relaxation, and companionship. Taking a trip out to the forest to spend a few
nights out there can cleanse the body of stress and help the person think. Trees and
plants don't just come down because of room, those trees might just as well be used for
the house that is going to be built where the tree formerly lived. Clear-cutting can
upset the balance of nature by having a large mudslide onto what ever might be below
because the roots of trees hold the dirt and debris back. Without trees and dirt on a
hillside, the hillside is much more susceptible to mudslides. In short, clear-cutting
and housing development by cutting down trees is completely opposite to the
transcendentalist idea of preserving nature.
Based on my research and studies, I had concluded that Henry David Thoreau would be
tremendously disappointed with the society today, in that since the 19th century, we have
undergone many technological advances, sped the pace of life up a lot, and we also have
become more industrialized because we have made room from cutting down trees.
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