Have you watched Jack Hargreaves TV programmes from the 1980s eg "Old Country" . They are a marvellous celebration of the old country ways and knowledge. Ive watched lots on You Tube. . A wonderful man.. I remember one programme where he went in his horse drawn caravan along the old high roads and explained what a high road was... SO fascinating.. you probably know his stuff already but if not you will LOVE it (and it will break your heart) xxxxxx
This reminds me of the loss of the great American prairie and all the wonderful and varied inhabitants of it. Plants, animals, birds, insects, the soil itself. I studied Botany and Plant and Soil Science at Southern Illinois University from 1978-1981 and even then it was down to a few hundred acres. All the species that comprised that great region are gone in the name of mechanized giant monoculture of wheat, corn and soybeans. Hundreds of millions of acres across the whole middle section of our country have been destroyed by greed for grain that mostly goes to beef cattle production for cheap beef. For cheap fast food.
Why? Because in part, prairie grasses produced beautiful deep fertile soils that could produce higher yields per acre of whatever was grown.
The same thing is happening here in the Palouse region of eastern Washington state but they have been better at managing areas for the native species.
But ultimately, there is habitat loss worldwide because of humanity’s demand for more….
I totally agree. I too grew up in the countryside and the feeling of loss has just grown year by year. But I think we are caught up in modernity and relations of power which trap us into patterns of behaviour which entrain us into things that seem inevitable, but they are really not.
I have written something myself recently on what I call the 'leviathan' phenomeon, people get either caught up in these monoliths, or are on the outside screaming against them. Both of which are pointless.....
This is a great comment. The excuse "this is all inevitable" is infuriating, and is an attitude that is content to just sit and watch as more and more beauty and value is extinguished from our common heritage (and common responsibility to steward and protect). The challenge, I suppose, is how to pull the mask back on this fraud and expose it for what it is in a manner which makes sense to those around us who have fallen for its lies.
And your 'leviathan' phenomenon reminds me of one of Paul Kingsnorth's phenomenal essays, 'Learning What to Make of It', where he notes a similar dynamic of screaming activism basically being worthless (or even harmful to the cause). That essay sure did shake me up and radicalise me against merely verbal activism.
No, I haven't Jonathon (although I faintly remember seeing something similar before) It looks utterly marvellous, and the illustrations wonderful. I'll have to look out for it.
"A deep feeling that things aren't as they should be" - indeed. And the feeling is growing stronger by the day. Surely something must eventually give? Surely we will eventually see the value in all we are losing? One can hope.
And often, once a thing is lost, it’s as if it was never there to begin with… combatting our own shifting baseline syndrome is such an important piece to the puzzle.
This particular tree reminds me of learning about the erosion happening on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls. The river keeps spreading because of ecological mismanagement, and hundred year old trees keep falling in, disappearing as if they were never there. We were told of one particular tree - much beloved by the local community - and that when that tree falls in, maybe people will finally do something.
Indeed, I had a paragraph on Shifting Baselines that I had to cut from the draft, but it is an integral consideration. Combatting the phenomenon in people's imaginations and lived expectations is surely one of the greatest challenges (and needs) of modern day conservation.
There are few things more tragic than losing something permanently that one never knew existed in the first place.
Thanks Patrick! Your comment to me on Twitter concerning getting people involved practically in nature enabled me to put some much needed 'hope' into this piece.
Right, the real loss isn’t only fields or animals, it’s the meeting of heaven and earth being broken.
Rain and sun from above once met soil and seed below to bring forth beauty and abundance. When that union is traded for utility, inheritance turns into wasteland. But mourning alone won’t do - we need to plant!
Luckily, this feeling of loss can summon us back to nature. Somehow our generation feels the need stronger. Sees more clearly how every meadow and oak tree speaks of purpose beyond profit.
Have you watched Jack Hargreaves TV programmes from the 1980s eg "Old Country" . They are a marvellous celebration of the old country ways and knowledge. Ive watched lots on You Tube. . A wonderful man.. I remember one programme where he went in his horse drawn caravan along the old high roads and explained what a high road was... SO fascinating.. you probably know his stuff already but if not you will LOVE it (and it will break your heart) xxxxxx
No I don't think I have Caroline. But, you have convinced me that I ought to!
This reminds me of the loss of the great American prairie and all the wonderful and varied inhabitants of it. Plants, animals, birds, insects, the soil itself. I studied Botany and Plant and Soil Science at Southern Illinois University from 1978-1981 and even then it was down to a few hundred acres. All the species that comprised that great region are gone in the name of mechanized giant monoculture of wheat, corn and soybeans. Hundreds of millions of acres across the whole middle section of our country have been destroyed by greed for grain that mostly goes to beef cattle production for cheap beef. For cheap fast food.
Why? Because in part, prairie grasses produced beautiful deep fertile soils that could produce higher yields per acre of whatever was grown.
The same thing is happening here in the Palouse region of eastern Washington state but they have been better at managing areas for the native species.
But ultimately, there is habitat loss worldwide because of humanity’s demand for more….
I totally agree. I too grew up in the countryside and the feeling of loss has just grown year by year. But I think we are caught up in modernity and relations of power which trap us into patterns of behaviour which entrain us into things that seem inevitable, but they are really not.
I have written something myself recently on what I call the 'leviathan' phenomeon, people get either caught up in these monoliths, or are on the outside screaming against them. Both of which are pointless.....
This is a great comment. The excuse "this is all inevitable" is infuriating, and is an attitude that is content to just sit and watch as more and more beauty and value is extinguished from our common heritage (and common responsibility to steward and protect). The challenge, I suppose, is how to pull the mask back on this fraud and expose it for what it is in a manner which makes sense to those around us who have fallen for its lies.
And your 'leviathan' phenomenon reminds me of one of Paul Kingsnorth's phenomenal essays, 'Learning What to Make of It', where he notes a similar dynamic of screaming activism basically being worthless (or even harmful to the cause). That essay sure did shake me up and radicalise me against merely verbal activism.
I recently picked up "Country Notes of an Edwardian Lady" by Edith Holden at a second-hand store. Magnificent. Have you seen it?
No, I haven't Jonathon (although I faintly remember seeing something similar before) It looks utterly marvellous, and the illustrations wonderful. I'll have to look out for it.
Never seen anything like it. You’ll love it.
Captured the sentiment well. I feel the same haunting loss and nostalgia. A deep feeling that things aren't as they should be.
"A deep feeling that things aren't as they should be" - indeed. And the feeling is growing stronger by the day. Surely something must eventually give? Surely we will eventually see the value in all we are losing? One can hope.
And often, once a thing is lost, it’s as if it was never there to begin with… combatting our own shifting baseline syndrome is such an important piece to the puzzle.
This particular tree reminds me of learning about the erosion happening on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls. The river keeps spreading because of ecological mismanagement, and hundred year old trees keep falling in, disappearing as if they were never there. We were told of one particular tree - much beloved by the local community - and that when that tree falls in, maybe people will finally do something.
Indeed, I had a paragraph on Shifting Baselines that I had to cut from the draft, but it is an integral consideration. Combatting the phenomenon in people's imaginations and lived expectations is surely one of the greatest challenges (and needs) of modern day conservation.
There are few things more tragic than losing something permanently that one never knew existed in the first place.
Great piece, Hadden. Really enjoyed that
Thanks Patrick! Your comment to me on Twitter concerning getting people involved practically in nature enabled me to put some much needed 'hope' into this piece.
Right, the real loss isn’t only fields or animals, it’s the meeting of heaven and earth being broken.
Rain and sun from above once met soil and seed below to bring forth beauty and abundance. When that union is traded for utility, inheritance turns into wasteland. But mourning alone won’t do - we need to plant!
Luckily, this feeling of loss can summon us back to nature. Somehow our generation feels the need stronger. Sees more clearly how every meadow and oak tree speaks of purpose beyond profit.