Matt Klein                                                                   approximately 350 words

mgk6@geneseo.edu

INTD 105-19: Science Writing

William Cronon and the Geneseo Arboretum

By Matt Klein

In The Trouble with Wilderness, William Cronon refutes the modern concept of environmentalism and illustrates the true (but overlooked) interconnection between humanity and nature. If Cronon were to explain the Geneseo Arboretum in terms of his argument, he would describe the separation of the Arboretum from the rest of the campus. The Arboretum is celebrated as a natural sanctuary, a quiet place to go to retreat from college life. In the language of Cronon, the Arboretum is a frontier, a place to “escape the confining strictures of civilized life”. Cronon, however, would not believe the Arboretum to be necessary in this regard. Since the Geneseo campus is covered in nature, one should not have to go to the Arboretum to find it. Furthermore, Cronon would rebut the idea that the Arboretum shows the wild in its natural state. He would be sure to point out the many ways the Geneseo community has influenced the park. In this line of argument, Cronon is not incorrect; it is true that nature can be found everywhere and that the Arboretum is far from a pristine wilderness. However, speaking from the perspective of a Geneseo student, I do not believe these factors matter when it comes to how myself and others perceive the Arboretum.

Though the frontier of the nineteenth century has passed, the qualities of the frontier live in the parts of nature we attempt to preserve. It is true that in “preserving” nature we influence it and make it unnatural, but that does not mean that it cannot offer an escape from the even more unnatural world we leave behind when we enter. The ivy-covered buildings and beloved trees of the Geneseo campus, though also part of nature, are unable to offer this relief due to their proximity with the daily hive of human activity. Thus it is the separation of the Arboretum that provides the peaceful and calming experience that visitors are searching for. It is not that the nature at the heart of Geneseo lacks the autonomy and Otherness Cronon describes; it is simply easier to observe the autonomy an Otherness when distanced from familiar life.

Hunter Cowles                                                                                               250 words

INTD: Science Writing

In William Cronan’s article, “The Trouble with Wilderness,” Cronan constantly criticized the fact that a vast majority of our protected land (places such as national parks and wildlife reserves) are  actually stolen land from the Native Americans. Cronan said “The movements to set aside national parks and wilderness areas followed hard on the heels of the final Indian Wars, in which the prior human inhabitants were rounded up and moved onto a reservation”.Cronan felt it is unfair that we get to decide what happens with this land  since it wasn’t even ours to begin with.  Cronan would most likely have a very similar opinion towards our own campus since it was Native American  territory. Although our campus wouldn’t be categorized as the “complete wilderness”  that Cronan refers to several times in his article, a lot of the concepts are transferrable. The idea that the ivy on the Sturges Hall walls is constantly manicured and maintained , ties into Cronan’s beliefs that there is nothing natural about modern society’s perception of wilderness. Much like the national parks mentioned in Cronan’s article, our campus is also built on land stolen from the natives. Most people fail to realize what a significant impact Native American culture has on Geneseo.Cronan would most likely conclude that people are as destructive to the planet as we are to one another. Personally, I agree with Cronan since we have destroyed Native American culture by stealing their land and way of life.

Will Gerber                                                                                      About 160 Words

10 MacVittie Circle

Geneseo, New York 14454

(315) 250-9687

wrg1@geneseo.edu

Bruno Latour on The Greek Tree

By Will Gerber

If Bruno Latour were to pass by Geneseo’s Greek Tree, he would presumably take silent note of it and continue on his way. However, if he were asked to speculate on it, he would most likely talk about a boundary-defying product of hard science, power struggles, and human discourse.

Trees are a natural showcase of biology. What makes this particular tree unique, however, is its function as a medium for fraternal organizations. With limited space on the tree, campus associations must compete to make their letters the most noticeable if they want the most recruits. This dual purpose blends the human and natural sciences to the point that the tree would not fit into either category.  

Alexis Baer                                                                                       about 200 words
anb8@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD: Writing Science

Cronon and the gazebo
by Alexis Baer

Wilderness is classified into two different categories, “sublimes” and physical landscapes. Combining these two created a new interpretation for nature, one with sacredness and valuable meaning. At the end of a passage Cronon states, “The middle ground is where we actually live. It is where we – all of us, in our different places and ways – make our homes” (Cronon, 103). Cronon would agree that the gazebo is similar to “home” because it’s resembles unity that is frequently visited by a variety students on campus coming together; this structure relates to protection, admiration of nature, and is inviting. Additionally; Cronon connects this quote to forests and backyard nature because even though they come from different environments, they all are alike and should be equally preserved from destruction. Cronon also claims, “Feelings like these argue for the importance of self-awareness and self-criticism as we exercise our own ability to transform the world around us…” (Cronon, 105). I would agree with Cronon’s relationship between humans and emotions, the gazebo represents a place of self thought to escape the chaotic world. These decisions can impact not only individuals themselves, but likewise the nature around us.

Jason Gerbsch                                                             Approximately 200 words

jg33@geneseo.edu

INTD 105-19: Scientific Writing

Latour states in his essay that the term “modern” is designated by two sets of practices, translation and purification.  Having read their definitions, I can label Latour a translationist.  This is supported by the fact that he mentions creating networks, “either the networks my colleagues in science studies and I have traced…”.  Knowing the fact that Latour is most likely a translationist makes it easier to consider what he’d argue about my object.

The object in question is Sturges Hall and its ivy.  Latour would point out various connections between the building and the ivy, as well as combinations of the two with humans existing around it.  For example, biology students can study the ivy as part of research or class work, or the connection between a grounds keeper tending to the vine because he’s required to by superiors who gave the order to have the ivy planted around the hall.  After reading his essay, I’d agree with many of Latour’s connections, but I believe he would miss connections that don’t seem as connected as a grounds keeper and the vines.  My example being students indirectly interacting and connecting with the vine when they simply observe the plant when passing by.

Alec Toufexis

agt9@geneseo.edu

INTD-105-19

Cronan claims that “the tree in the garden is in reality no less other, no less worthy of our wonder and respect, than the tree in an ancient forest…” While this is an accurate statement, I don’t believe Cronan would see this in practice with The Greek Tree. By focusing on respect from an environmental standpoint, Cronan overlooks the fact that the Geneseo community tends to The Greek Tree differently than they tend to the trees in their back yards or the trees in a nearby forest.

Although sororities and fraternities decorate the tree with an absurd amount of paint to assert Greek Life dominance, it doesn’t mean the tree isn’t respected or marveled at. I would predict that if there were plans to cut down the tree, the Geneseo community would be on edge. This indicates that there is a deep emotional connection between the campus and a seemingly “cultural invention”. In this way, Cronan’s idea of respect towards a non-sublime natural object is upheld. Also, those with “a clear heart and open mind” can view The Greek Tree as an object that is just as wild as “the tree in the ancient forest”.

Rachael Natoli                                                                                                   9/18/16

rln5@geneseo.edu                                                   Approximately 160 Words

INTD 105-19: Scientific Writing

Bruno Latour commonly refers to the dichotomy between natural science and society in We Have Never Been Modern.  Latour states that “all of culture and all of nature gets churned up again everyday.” In other words, writing about natural sciences and writing about culture should not be kept separate as many issues in our world today must be thought about and dealt with in more ways than one.

If Latour were to look out from the gazebo and see the many acres of farmland that surrounds Geneseo he would agree that the topic of farming could be discussed in many aspects. On the natural science side one could talk about how many farmers use unsustainable farming techniques that corrode the soil and cause bodies of water to become polluted with pesticides. However, agriculture also has many political and social factors that are also part of the larger conversation such as, the legality of GMO labeling and food safety concerns.

Mike Emanuele

Cronon insight on object
Cronan perceives the wilderness to be a creation of mankind. He would argue that my object, the seuss spruce, is incorporated into the college’s center because it appeals to the core values he spoke about in his essay. “I celebrate with others who love wilderness the beauty and power of the things it contains. Each of us who has spent time there can conjure images and sensations that seem all the more hauntingly real for having engraved themselves so indelibly on our memories” (Cronan 84). In other words, we load wilderness with core values such as memories and give non human objects meaning. Students and professors alike relate to the tree in the sense of individuality, the tree is so unique because of it’s look and location. It serves as a symbol of how unique the college truly is. To add to Cronan’s argument, all the value we give the tree, does not mean anything. It is just another tree that functions like any other tree. It is just another piece of wilderness. It would not mean anything if it had never been discovered because it becomes nature the moment humans interact with it. Before the college started giving this ideality it was just untouched wilderness, now it has become sacred throughout Geneseo and an icon amongst college campuses. The college has determined that this piece of wilderness is worthy of staying in the college center, simply because it looks different. Now the tree is worthy of being preserved because it is some form of a token; representing coexistence with nature. Ultimately, once again debunking the false dualism between human culture and nature.

Justin D’Souza                                                                              About 210 Words   SUNY Geneseo                                                                                                             INTD 105 Science Writing

Response to William Cronon’s Argument

By Justin D’Souza

When humanity considers the “wilderness,” we tend to consider the beautiful forests as natural, while the trees that litter backyards and cities as unnatural. William Cronon attacks this idea, calling for us to “abandon the dualism that sees the tree in the garden as artificial…and the tree in the wilderness as natural.” He correctly asserts that if we stop seeing some nature as special, we can move to protect all wild things, not just certain areas that we see as godly. Here, Geneseo’s Arboretum corroborates Cronon’s theory. I would contend there exists nothing extraordinary about it, and therefore gives proof that positives can result from protecting even mundane areas.

Yet, the very same evidence that supports Cronon’s attack on our dualistic view of nature, I would argue subverts his strong feelings towards modern conservation ideology. Cronon passionately believes human only disturb nature when we try to save it. He also claims environmentalists only want to protect extravagant far off places. But the arboretum challenges that…it has not destroyed anything…nor does one view it as godly. While Cronon does wish for close to home efforts, he denies they exist…he fails to consider the good of small scale projects like this and instead chooses to critique a very generalized version of environmental protection.

Sarah Lambert                                                                                 about 200 words

sel15@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD 105-19: Scientific Writing

Latour’s Argument About The Sidewalk

By Sarah Lambert

      Throughout his argument, Latour insists that “translation,” or the “mixtures between entirely new types of beings, hybrids of nature and culture,” is a type of interpretation necessary to consider oneself modern. Latour exemplifies this motif through his own term coined, “nature-culture,” which he defines implicitly as an overarching term that refers to aspects of society and their interactions. Latour’s argument is similar to my own in that we agree that not all things can be categorized, especially when it comes to man-made things we define as ‘artificial.’

While Latour sufficiently supports his claim that this “nature-culture” exists, I cannot also accept that it is most advantageous to see the world from a “pure” standpoint. Though I concede that it is helpful to separate ideas to clarify them, I do not believe that “all [ideas] have their privileged vantage point, provided that they remain separate.”

    Though he touches upon how the sciences and politics interact on issues like global warming, Latour fails to illustrate how some interactions of the universe are nearly impossible to “purify” and “categorize.” Creation, for example, is a direct interaction between one being and the next. This specifically shows how these two things cannot ever be entirely separate because if it were not for the first, there would be no second.