Urban Nature Series Part 1: Dualism

Nature.

What are you thinking of, as you read the word I singled out?
What was the first picture that came to your imagination?

Depending on where we live and what kind of natural environments we are exposed to, the images may differ. You might be thinking of a tropical rainforest with monkeys swinging off the branches of vine-embraced trees. He might be thinking of a pristine beach with a sparkling blue ocean extending to infinity. She could be thinking of glistening snow-capped mountains and pine trees bent by the wind. 

I wouldn't know.

But, one thing that I know for sure is that you do have a mental picture of what nature is. So do I.

The next question: now, did you see yourself anywhere in those mental pictures?

Probably not. I did not instinctively put myself in those pictures.

We - by default - exclude ourselves from "nature". Why?

Nature of Illusion: Understanding Positive Illusion in the Rhetoric of Man versus Nature

From the story of creation in Genesis to industrial revolution, from Mao Zedong’s “ren ding sheng tian” (man must conquer nature) to the recently growing popularity of sustainable development, we have been trying to find a place for nature in our world. Many stories involve the idea of man conquering nature, of man fighting a battle against nature, in one way or another. Why is the idea of war, conquest and battle always morbidly fascinating throughout the history of mankind?

The Indoor Man contemplating to step out into nature
"Four Seasons: Summer" by Melissa