Daniel Biskup                                                                              Approx. 165 words

INTD 105

djb29@geneseo.edu

Cronon’s main argument is that the concept of wilderness is a social construct invented by man. He starts by establishing what wilderness is, describing it as isolated nature untouched by man, that serves as a way to save mankind from its over, industrialized self. He then goes on to explain how this construct came about, first demonstrating biblical descriptions of a barren land void of human contact that is associated with original sin and temptation. He moves on to romantic descriptions of nature coinciding with the supernatural and even the divine, leading to the current view of beauty and adventure of the frontier that has inspired park services and conservation efforts.

My object, the greenhouse behind ISC, led me to believe man and nature to be separate, which was why I agreed with Cronon’s argument, because he states that the ideal wilderness is paradoxical because if a piece of nature were untouched by mankind, its influence on that nature would destroy the concept as soon as it entered. Man and nature are separate, but according to Cronon they always tow a fine line of coexistence.