November 24, 2014 - 17:01
I chose to read C.A. Bower's article along with Levi R. Bryant's article "Stacy Alamio: Porous Bodies and Trans-Corporeality," Both of these articles mentioned that, as humans, or, humanoids we have taken to thinking too highly of ourselves and have begun to value ourselves above our fellow earth-creatures. I understand that both articles encourage humans to realize the effects their actions have on all the organisms and micro-organisms in and around them, but my question is, to what extent would these authors believe that is feasible? In Kolbert's book she talked about how micro-organisms were carried on people who traveled and sickened bats in remote places. How would these authors suggest that we stop ourselves from contaminating or damaging other species? Not travel? Hose down in each new country? How much of people’s lives should be dedicated specifically to considering or damaging effects? What actions do we have that are not damaging to other species?
I also was struck by the mention of indigenous people in both articles, which made me think about their ways of life. I’m not sure how to phrase this, but the mention of indigenous peoples’ ways of life reminds me of a book I read once, by Chinua Achebe “Things Fall Apart.” It was a beautiful book that explained the intricacies and cultures of a native African tribe, and the destruction that happened to the people and community once it was interrupted by the coming of white missionaries. It makes me think of ecosystems, and also of how much better their native way of life worked for that community, and why we’ve bothered to “advance,” when advancing it seems, has only spread destruction.
Also, the Quechua people are the coolest—remind me to talk about their terraces. It’s 5, gotta post.