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.

Alexis Baer                                                                                       about 150 words

anb8@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD: Writing Science

“We Have Never Been Modern”
by Alexis Baer

Bruno Latour begins his essay by focusing on a newspaper article that recognizes multiple negative events that begin to rapidly occur. Such topics mentioned include flawed dualisms, religion, culture, technology, law, and the economy in order to further support his argument of separation throughout the writing. Latour’s main points he tries to get across consists of his modernization views and the hybrid of combining nature, that is based off scientific studies, and society together. Modernism is the altering of traditions to form a new way of society using new ideas and thoughts. As Latour explains it; he believes that modernism is the challenging divide between translation and purification. Individuals must consider these different perspectives of such topics as well as forming and changing their own opinions. Although Bruno Latour does give a valid argument, his statements do not quite connect or resemble my object.

Alexis Baer                                                                                        about 150 words
anb8@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD 105-19: Writing Science

“The Trouble with Wilderness” Reflection
by Alexis Baer

Nature is commonly known for the beauty of plants, animals, and several landscapes which was formed before humankind existed; it was completely untouched and pure. Past history has revealed individuals overlooking it’s significance on a daily basis and often resented the idea of the wilderness. Over time, the meaning of nature has greatly transitioned from something so unappreciated to something widely cherished. William Cronon’s main argument focuses on how individuals simply choose to distance themselves from “home” by developing multiple communities in either towns or cities. Preservationists feel that our environment should be properly maintained instead of tending to societies wants; often times, humans do more damage then intended or recognized. My object, the doors, connect with Cronon’s ideas perfectly because it represents a form of boundary that separates humans from the wilderness. Although a door is free to enter and exit, most people will chose to stay inside if given the option, similar to ancestors staying in their civilizations.

Alexis Baer                                                                                        about 150 words
anb8@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD: Writing Science

“The Cyborg Manifesto” Reflection
by Alexis Baer

Writer, Donna Haraway, is a woman who strongly supports, promotes, and defends feminism against numerous inequalities. When the “The Cyborg Manifesto” was created, her main concepts included boundaries between human and animals, the use of technology increasing artificiality, and the physical and non-physical. Haraway explains the “cyborg” to the audience as a political myth that human fault has essentially created due to advances in modern technology. This creature is constantly being used as a metaphor; besides the humankind population and technology, it also incorporates different cultures, emotions, nature, race, gender, and science modification. One of Haraway’s points in the essay involves today’s generation slowly becoming more similar to “chimeras”, this allowed me to realize that humans are becoming conditioned and trained to certain traditions where nothing is or seems to be natural anymore. A few of her arguments can be applied to the objects we have chosen because they represent the boundary between the natural and artificial.

Alexis Baer                                                                                       about 250 words
10 MacVittie Circle
Geneseo, NY 14454
anb8@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD 105-19: Writing Science

Focusing In
by Alexis Baer

The door itself is metallic gray with a rectangular appearance that includes worn out hinges and cables. From a distance, only parts of the image of the outside world is visible with faded fingerprints, stickers, and scratches that are attached to the windows. Moving closer with each step allowed the image to continuously grow until the entire view was both completely visible and clear. To the left is a fire alarm attached to the wall and to the right hangs a few posters/flyers containing Geneseo catering and crew information. Behind these doors lies a very small portion of campus; the gazebo, students, stairs, buildings, and various other objects. As I stand on the opposite side looking outward, I begin to form an opinion on the simplistic meaning of doors in general. Individuals might walk through a doorway several times a day and think nothing about it except for the fact that it’s solely a passageway to exit one room and enter another. In my own opinion, windows resemble a boundary between wilderness and humans due to the fact that it blocks an individual from leaving, essentially no way outside. Also, doors can potentially be considered a boundary due to its ability to lock and restrain individuals to one area for a certain amount of time whether it be voluntary or involuntary. Opening a door and walking out may signify a different mindset, future opportunities, a fresh start, new adventure, or possibly even a sense of freedom. I believe that the simple things in life are completely overlooked but overall, they might just have the most meaning