Something to think about . . .
- Thread starter Optimistic Paranoid
- Start date
Gallowbraid
Adventurist
Interesting read.
I've witnessed people doing some of the very things the author calls out in the article. I've watched a pair of 20 something year olds exit their Honda Civic in the Smokey Mountain National Park in an attempt to sneak up on an Elk and her young. People jumping fences in restricted areas to take selfies just on the other side of a sign calling out a vegetation restoration area. Just like anything else in life many people have good intentions but ultimately are doing things for their own gratification without thinking about the long term effects. My favorite instance of this (while not a damaging act) was a woman and her husband who were at an overlook in the Sequoia National Forest at the same time I was. She wasn't able to get "the shot" she wanted and turned to her husband and said "You know, the Park Service should really cut down all these trees so we could get a better view." She obviously doesn't get it...
I read an article several years ago that talked about how the constant access to cameras through cell phones and digital cameras has actually changed how our minds work. Often times people can no longer recall specific details of places they've visited because the brain no longer deems it "necessary", we've trained our minds unconsciously to rely on photos. Ever since reading this article (and realizing it held truth for me) I've made it a point when visiting memorable spots to simple be still and soak in the sights, sounds, smells and the "feeling" of a place before taking any photos. I've also tried to cut back dramatically on the number of photos I take.
I've witnessed people doing some of the very things the author calls out in the article. I've watched a pair of 20 something year olds exit their Honda Civic in the Smokey Mountain National Park in an attempt to sneak up on an Elk and her young. People jumping fences in restricted areas to take selfies just on the other side of a sign calling out a vegetation restoration area. Just like anything else in life many people have good intentions but ultimately are doing things for their own gratification without thinking about the long term effects. My favorite instance of this (while not a damaging act) was a woman and her husband who were at an overlook in the Sequoia National Forest at the same time I was. She wasn't able to get "the shot" she wanted and turned to her husband and said "You know, the Park Service should really cut down all these trees so we could get a better view." She obviously doesn't get it...
I read an article several years ago that talked about how the constant access to cameras through cell phones and digital cameras has actually changed how our minds work. Often times people can no longer recall specific details of places they've visited because the brain no longer deems it "necessary", we've trained our minds unconsciously to rely on photos. Ever since reading this article (and realizing it held truth for me) I've made it a point when visiting memorable spots to simple be still and soak in the sights, sounds, smells and the "feeling" of a place before taking any photos. I've also tried to cut back dramatically on the number of photos I take.
Edward Abbey predicted all of this in his novel "Desert Solitaire". It should be mandatory reading for anyone with a love of the outdoors and our Parks.
Our community here at American Adventurist expects it's members to follow rules and regulations in the back country, and to Tread Lightly at all times.
This means staying on the trail, obeying posted signs and doing the right thing even when no one is looking. We lead by example.
Our community here at American Adventurist expects it's members to follow rules and regulations in the back country, and to Tread Lightly at all times.
This means staying on the trail, obeying posted signs and doing the right thing even when no one is looking. We lead by example.
dr1665
Adventurist
I concur with the piece. At the same time, how do we prevent the slovenly reprobates from ruining everything?
Education is key, but education is proving less and less a priority in American culture. Look at the anti-science bent of our "representatives" in Washington. They might as well be saying, "I'm not a park ranger, so..."
I like to think the Adventurist community is better than this. So how do we educate the consumers who think the great outdoors is just another commodity?
Education is key, but education is proving less and less a priority in American culture. Look at the anti-science bent of our "representatives" in Washington. They might as well be saying, "I'm not a park ranger, so..."
I like to think the Adventurist community is better than this. So how do we educate the consumers who think the great outdoors is just another commodity?
The problem is these same tourists that are doing ridiculous things often consider themselves "environmentalists" of some sort or another when they return to their urban lifestyle.
A few pictures of tire ruts through a pristine meadow...or say...the latest Toyota Tacoma commercial (not to bag on Toyota, just they are the latest commercial out) and an "environmentalist" with a petition in front of a grocery store, and the next thing you know we have new legislation with even more closures or restrictions. The tourist who crossed the line/trampled vegetation/caused an animal to be put down, etc, never have the thought that they might be doing something wrong occur to them.
A few pictures of tire ruts through a pristine meadow...or say...the latest Toyota Tacoma commercial (not to bag on Toyota, just they are the latest commercial out) and an "environmentalist" with a petition in front of a grocery store, and the next thing you know we have new legislation with even more closures or restrictions. The tourist who crossed the line/trampled vegetation/caused an animal to be put down, etc, never have the thought that they might be doing something wrong occur to them.
WUZombies
Adventurist
The smoky mountains is the biggest grab bag of stupid behavior I've seen at any park. Staggering really. Besides the herds of no-skill motorcycle riders (as a former motorcop I have serious prejudice about rider skill), what stands out in my mind was a photographer shooting early morning portraits in a perfect meadow, with the subject couple perfectly framed with the rising sun...about 20 yards past the "do not enter field" sign.
Morning sober edit: still annoyed. Out of the roughly 1,000 people on motorcycles I saw that week there was one I saw that was truly a rider. We chatted for a bit in Chataloochee Valley (even with a bit of a language barrier) while I took some non-selfie photos of elk with a long lens. He is from India and is riding his way across the U.S. Exploring parks along the way. His BMW is nearly 20 years old and looked to have about 1,000,000 miles on it, which this man earned as the wheels turned. After chatting I rode off on the dual sport I was borrowing from a buddy and this guy made a full lean u-turn that would make any motor instructor proud.
My positive view may have included a lack of overpriced branded merchandise, vest, patches, bandannas and leather cigarette pouch, instead wearing practical and well worn clothing that made sense for someone on so epic a journey.
Morning sober edit: still annoyed. Out of the roughly 1,000 people on motorcycles I saw that week there was one I saw that was truly a rider. We chatted for a bit in Chataloochee Valley (even with a bit of a language barrier) while I took some non-selfie photos of elk with a long lens. He is from India and is riding his way across the U.S. Exploring parks along the way. His BMW is nearly 20 years old and looked to have about 1,000,000 miles on it, which this man earned as the wheels turned. After chatting I rode off on the dual sport I was borrowing from a buddy and this guy made a full lean u-turn that would make any motor instructor proud.
My positive view may have included a lack of overpriced branded merchandise, vest, patches, bandannas and leather cigarette pouch, instead wearing practical and well worn clothing that made sense for someone on so epic a journey.
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