I hold the most archaic values on earth ... the fertility of the soul, the magic of the animals, the power-vision in solitude.... the love and ecstasy of the dance, the common work of the tribe.
Gary SnyderRead
Forests in the tropics are cut to make pasture to raise beef for the American market. Our distance from the source of our food enables us to be superficially more comfortable, and distinctly more ignorant.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the impact of deforestation for beef production and our disconnection from the consequences of our food sources.
Gary Snyder's quote emphasizes the environmental degradation caused by cutting down tropical forests to create pasture land for beef production aimed at the American market. He suggests that our geographical separation from these natural processes leads to a false sense of comfort and a lack of awareness about the ecological consequences of our consumption choices.
Themes
DeforestationBeef ProductionEnvironmentIgnoranceComfortFood Source
In practice
Example use cases
In an environmental awareness seminar discussing the implications of our dietary choices.
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We . . . must try to live without causing unnecessary harm, not just to fellow humans but to all beings. We must try not to be stingy, or to exploit others. There will be enough pain in the world as it is.
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In the belly of the furnace of creativity is a sexual fire; the flames twine about each other in fear and delight. The same sort of coiling, at a cooler, slower pace, is what the life of this planet looks like. The enormous spirals of typhoons, the twists and turns of mountain ranges and gorges, the waves and the deep ocean currents - a dragonlike writhing.
Gary SnyderRead
Wherever man exists, he finds the need to redesign, to recreate the world. A more beautiful world, purer, sweeter smelling and more colorful. A garden is probably the spot where the hopes for civilization are best captured. In fact, man defines himself by his garden. My Grandmother standing wordless fifteen minutes Between rows of loganberries, clippers poised in her hand.
Gary SnyderRead
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