Essay (112)

One day an American Indian was visiting an acquaintance he had made who lived in New York City. The acquaintance was giving the Indian a tour, and as they strolled down Wall Street the Indian stopped as if listening intently. “What is it?” asked the businessman, who only heard traffic and pedestrians. “A cricket, in that alley” pointed out the Indian. “Impossible!” declared the businessman. “I don’t hear it.” “Lend me some change.” said the Indian. So the businessman handed him some coins. “Watch the people” said the Indian, referring to the many pedestrians going about. The Indian threw the money on the ground, causing the sound of coins striking and jingling. For a moment it seemed that everyone stopped, and people for blocks around turned to look. “You see,” said the Indian, “We are attuned to the things we value most.” Since human civilization began we have grouped together. First for safety in numbers, then for comfort, conveiniance, and the economic benefit that comes from specialization and trade. Last October, Peter Fimrite, wrote an article in the S.F. Chronicle addressing a modern concern that “Children Detach From Natural World As They Explore The Virtual One.” It is true that to some children the Natural World bears no interest; However, we should not be concerned that some kids are neither fromiliar nor interested in the Natural World because city dwellers have city ways to relieve stress, critical skills of the future are articulate speaking and an aptitiude for technology, and despite the majority there will always be country folks to be heralds and caretakers of the wilderness. We will proceed with this argument by evaluating these claims, then offering a sensible refutation of certain concerns created by the article mentioned. Last I will offer an idea for action and ponderance.

First, we shouldn’t be concerned that city children aren’t familiar with the Natural World because urban lifestyles develop their own ways of relieving stress. City dwellers have major highways and airlines to move about urbana. Since highways were completed the only reason people have to go to the wolderness is for stress relief and to use natural resources. City dwellers have come up with a multitude of ways to find enjoyment in the city. There are court sports, trendy wholisstic yoga classes, communtiy colleges offer classes for personal enrichment, book clubs, dance clubs, and of course video game diversion, aka the virtual world. According to Kevin Truitt, Principle of San Francisco’s Mission High School, “These kids are becoming so acculturated to very fancy devices . . . that they can’t grasp how going out into nature and just looking or relaxing can be rewarding. . . .” Since the point of outdoor excursions is relaxation and stress relief, isn’t it valid that some people won’t find the outdoors as satisfying as sitting at home reading a book, or playing a computer game? We should be cautious when claiming that their choices are wrong. After all, with so many people in the world, we can’t all relax the same way.

Second, the fact that some youths aren’t interested in nature shouldn’t concern us, but rather should demonstrate a shift in important cultural survival skills. The world population shows no sign of slowing growth, and as we grow the ability to speak articulately and aptitude with technology will be more valuable survival skills than starting a fire, or finding clearn water. Socializing and video games are made for developing these skills.

While Mr. Fimrite expresses concern that “Environmentalilsts are worried that the next generation won’t give a hoot about the spotted owl or other speces.” may be serious to him, his own article holds proof that such a case is weak. If, as he says, “80 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas” then that means 20% live in rural areas. Country folk will always be there because there are some who are willing to give up city conveniances to have the quiet of nature. In addition Mr. Fimrite sites a poll of 333 parents who said “30% of teenagers did not participate in any outdoor nature activity at all this pas summer.” Consider, however, that this means 70% of those 333 Urbana parents polled said their youth did explore the natural world outdoors. This indicates that many young people are going outside!

One might consider as a final thought the childrens tale of the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Some people are country at heart and find city ways queer, while city folk often find country life strange as well. City kids play video games, country kids go fishing. Kids will always find a way to play, so rest easy.

Essay 112: 5-

Though perhaps not as elegant as other 5s we’ve seen in the past, this essay, in rebutting the prompt’s claims, shows that its writer is “fully and thoughtfully addressing the prompt.” Its hook is inventive and insightful, as its conclusion—a rare feat for a 150 student. The body paragraphs develop separate and insightful arguments, utilizing quotes and ideas from the article to disprove the prompt’s claims. This writer shows enormous confidence in his/her ideas.