The current PBS special "Why Dogs Smile and Chimpanzees Cry" tells the story of a group of chimpanzees who, after living for 15 years in a university science building, were finally moved to a new outdoor facility. One chimp in particular, upon looking out onto the large sunlit play area, ran first to his keeper to sign the words "Thank you" before venturing out to explore his new home. That moving scene reinforced my empathy for captive animals of such intelligence and sensitivity, an empathy that’s sometimes painful to experience. I know you animal-lovers know what I’m talking about.
But beyond that, the chimp was expressing a love of nature and the outdoors that I believe is innate in all of us animals, humans included. It’s what makes working indoors – for me – such a trial to be endured. It’s what I imagine was the hardest part of being in prison for our gardener friend, Martha Stewart. It’s what forces me, when the weather is gorgeous like it is now, to spend every single minute I can enjoying it, rather than, say, going to a movie or even grocery-shopping. And what I don’t understand is why everyone doesn’t feel that way. How about the couch potatoes or the kids who play video games on a beautiful day? Is love of nature and the outdoors something that’s bred out people in our culture? Maybe I should be asking the coach potatoes, not other gardeners; you’ll all just agree with me, right?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Your right – we’ll all agree with you. I suppose those who don’t like “outside” find it uncomfortable (too hot, too cold, sun in the eyes, bugs, windy) or boring (no t.v., no playstation, no internet).
Oh – and I have to mention my one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies, Logan’s Run:
After Jenny Agutter and her Logan have escaped from the bubble and experienced “outside” for the first time, she becomes hungry and cold and is then frightened by a lizard, prompting her to say “I hate outside!”
I would imagine anyone who’s lived inside a bubble would say something similar once the novelty of “outside” wore off.
Your post reminds me of something I read recently about elephants at zoos. Some zoos are considering removing their elephants permanently because it’s so terribly unhealthy for such large animals to spend their lives in such small enclosures. You can say that about many animals at zoos but the larger they are, of course, the worse it is. Most zoo elephants have leg and foot problems that are not common in those living naturally. I wouldn’t be sorry to see ALL zoos go away. I’m just not sure that the joy it brings to humans is worth the pain it brings to the animals.
about why people don’t enjoy the outdoors: My guess is that you, and other gardeners, have created a place where you are fully engaged and fulfilled and creative. For those who don’t garden, being outdoors can be pleasant but not necessarily engaging or fulfilling or creative. In contrast, when gardeners are outside they’re busy, busy, busy. I’m not defending couch potatoes (and don’t consider myself one) but even couch potatoes can be busy, busy, busy too. Those watching TV are engaged. Unfortunately for them this kind of engagement is so passive that it almost certainly isn’t producing anything positive. Now couch potatoes who read are at least using more of their brains. Oh hell, I don’t know. I’m just glad that you find such joy in gardening. And what you create is enjoyed by all who see it so it’s a giving avocation, not a selfish avocation. Enough!