Comments on: The Great Outdoors http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/66 Susan Harris's blog about eco-friendly and urban gardening, plus the adventures of a DC-based garden writer, coach and occasional rabble-rowser. Mon, 24 May 2010 11:12:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Pam http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/66/comment-page-1#comment-194 Pam Thu, 20 Oct 2005 22:02:57 +0000 http://sustainablegardeningblog.com/?p=66#comment-194 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! 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!

]]> By: Kasmira http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/66/comment-page-1#comment-193 Kasmira Tue, 18 Oct 2005 17:44:30 +0000 http://sustainablegardeningblog.com/?p=66#comment-193 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. 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.

]]> By: Kasmira http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/66/comment-page-1#comment-192 Kasmira Tue, 18 Oct 2005 17:41:11 +0000 http://sustainablegardeningblog.com/?p=66#comment-192 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). 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).

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