Paul Weissfellner

Prof. Fenn

INTD 105-19: Science Writing

September 28, 2016

So What?

In my essay, I argue that the rock outside Onondaga hall brings wildness to college campuses in a way that brings the humans that encounter it into nature in a positive way. Some may claim that the rock isn’t wild at all, given its spot on an artificial college campus, and, therefore, does no more to bring nature to passersby than the buildings all around it. However, they are simply looking at it the wrong way. Were the rock merely a section of a much larger rock wall, or a part of a stunning view looking down into a canyon, the wildness present would be indisputable. The wildness doesn’t come from the scene as a whole; each of the constituent parts contributes to the total feeling. When the rock is removed from those situations, it still retains the wildness, and brings it here to this campus.

Hunter Cowles                                                                                               177 words

INTD: Science Writing

In William Cronon’s article “A Trouble with Wilderness,” Cronon states that there is nothing truly natural about today’s wilderness and human’s have tricked themselves into believing nature is uncontaminated by human influence. Although Cronon makes a very strong case, many would argue that the world a vast place that would be impossible for us to have uncovered and discovered it all.  Almost everyday on campus I discover a quiet nook of our campus where I can type a paper or read a book in solitude. Although it’s most likely someone has been to that place before, the setting is completely free of any sign human presence.  Although Sturges Hall may seem very artificial the ivy that grows on the side of it needs sunlight, water, and oxygen just like any plant would. Since this ivy is physically no different from a plant we’d find in nature, it is still completely natural. The fact it is maintained by campus officials should play no role in how Cronon chooses to perceive it.

Jason Gerbsch                                                             Approximately 180 words

jg33@geneseo.edu

INTD 105-19: Scientific Writing

Philospher Bruno Latour in his book We Have Never Been Modern brings up the key idea of networks, how everything in our world, both human and nonhuman, are connected in one way or another.  The ivy clinging to the walls of Sturges Hall, provide an excellent example of the existence of these connections.  However, walk up to any student on campus and tell them this idea.  More than likely they’ll be confused and question why in the world is this important.  To answer this question, the importance of this idea is how it opens the mind to how big and connected the world actually is.  You may think the ivy is just that, ivy, an inanimate growth on the side of a building that just exists.  The real beauty of the ivy is how connected to us it actually is, despite appearing so uninvolved.  Its connections to us range from the physical, being in direct contact such as groundkeeper, to the aesthetic, where we as humans may enjoy marveling at such life.

Mike Emanuele                         220 words

me12@geneseo.edu                                                                 

INTD 105 Science Writing

So What? Who cares?

It is important for human culture to understand its relationship with the non-human. In this situation, the dualism between human culture and wilderness. It is clearly established by Cronon that while the dualism is popular to believe, it is ultimately false. In my essay, I found it important to establish why the dualism existed in the first place. Then to give an understanding of coexistence and the impact humanity has on nature. One Critic or skeptic may contradict by saying that there is a fine line between nature and human creation. It is black and white, the difference between a tree and a skyscraper. Another may agree with Cronon’s paradox and say that humans cannot help but destroy nature. In response, it’s important to understand that a tree and a building are clearly different, but what happens when potted plants start appearing inside human structures? It is essential to realize that part of coexistence is the incorporation of non-human objects into our everyday life. Finally while humans may be the cause of the destruction of nature, humans are also capable of preservation. Human preservation an aspect that cannot be fulfilled by anything in nature. This is what causes us to coexist, when humans become involved in nature’s ecosystem. Human existence is essential to the earth as the wilderness.

Justin D’Souza                                                                                About 160 Words                                                                                                                                                       SUNY Geneseo

INTD 105 Science Writing

What Would a Skeptic Say? And Who Cares?

By Justin D’Souza

In my essay, I give evidence that Geneseo’s Arboretum correlates with Cronon’s ideas that what we see as wilderness is not the isolated human free land we see it as, but a place that holds many ideals of human civilization. Of course, such a statement can be hard to swallow as it challenges what may be obvious conventional wisdom that the Arboretum is separate from humans. A critic may point out that the Arboretum is not the best example of Cronon’s “wilderness” concept as it does not hold the same status as national parks or other sublime landscapes, which is what Cronon was really going after. However, I content that this allows us to better understand Cronon’s point by considering something close by that we all can visit and explore to really delve into Cronon’s ideas. Ultimately, as the environment quickly has become mainstream in the 21^st century, better understanding connections between our us and nature will prove vital to the sustainability of the Earth.

Sarah Lambert                                                                                 about 250 words

sel15@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD 105-19: Scientific Writing

To Think Outside The Box

By Sarah Lambert

    It’s hard to see that nothing in this world is pure given that we can chemically create pure water, solely hydrogen and oxygen, and we can find images of solid colors, seemingly untouched and untainted. It is also understandable that when we look at something like a flower, it appears too overwhelmingly beautiful to be anything other than just that, a beautiful flower. Why would it be anything else?

    Just because we do not see something does not mean it is not there. Often, a simple object, like a beautiful flower,  connects to the world in many more ways than just one. To only see an object for what it is is to disregard what it does, affects, or illustrates. A beautiful flower not only catches our eyes but is pollinated by bees who make honey which we harvest to use in our tea to soothe our sore throats; that flower is more than just a flower.

    It is important to see things not only for what they are but how they affect their surroundings. This mindset is effective in our society to solve world problems. For compromise, we must see things from other people’s point of view and for advancements we must understand how the use of technology will affect our world. Because of this, it is crucial in today’s society to “think outside the box.” Understanding that not everything is set in stone or “black and white” is important for our advancements.

Erik Buckingham                                                                         about 170 words

10 MacVittie Circle

Geneseo, New York 14454

(315) 939-9091

ekb7@geneseo.edu

Why Does it Matte if We Trim the Suess Spruce?

By: Erik Buckingham

            Many grounds men and administrative officials have insisted that the Suess Spruce tree should be trimmed. Any student focused on their education would wonder why they are so worried about this topic when registration, course planning and class sizes are seemingly more important issues. These students forget that the Suess Spruce is most likely the first thing that we saw on a Geneseo pamphlet before we applied.

Students would also question why the Suess Spruce has to be on pamphlets, but we cannot create a unique identity by displaying our only other distinct feature: ivy covered buildings. Colleges across New York State like Syracuse University, Hamilton College and Utica College all have ivy growing on their buildings.

Students who applied to many hilltop colleges would also question   why we do not just display the sunset on the front of Geneseo pamphlets. This is because there are so many other schools like Virginia Tech, Colgate University and University at Buffalo with sunsets that are advertised on their pamphlets.

Alec Toufexis

agt9@geneseo.edu

INTD-105-19

Many people would say that The Grand Canyon, The Red Woods, and Mount Mckinley are places where you can truly view wilderness, however this should not be the case. Wilderness could be found anywhere as long as the individual possesses the ability to see it. When one sees The Greek Tree, they may think that its wildness is diminished because of the countless layers of paint. But, underneath the countless layers of paint lies a tree just as organic as any other; even as organic as the mighty red wood. Of course, many will probably disagree that The Greek Tree is respected by those who are in sororities and fraternities that paint on it. But how could they disrespect The Greek if it is viewed as a campus landmark. It is protected from being cut down strictly based on it’s iconic value.

Will Gerber About 150 words

10 MacVittie Circle

Geneseo, New York 14454

(315) 250-9687

wrg1@geneseo.edu

Bruno Latour on the Greek Tree; So What?

By Will Gerber
Readers of the critically acclaimed essay “The Greek Tree Was Never Modern” may come out with a number of questions about its argument and significance. Primarily, skeptics may question my claim that individuals do not need a diverse understanding of the sciences in order for all of us to function well collectively. From youth, we are taught that more knowledge means more success, and more fulfillment. I however, would make the claim that an incomplete understanding of any given field can potentially be more damaging than none, as biased information is much more effective on uninformed people. We can’t count on everyone to stay up to date on every new piece of information, but we can count on people to critique new developments in their individual interests.

Emma Cooke                                                                 Approximately 150 words

erc8@geneseo.edu

INTD 105 Science Writing

Skepticism and Importance

            Throughout the course of my essay I discuss Bruno Latour’s ideas on the ways in which people comprehend information. He separates the world into two types of people: those who see things in distinct zones, and those who see the ways in which things are connected across disciplines. The goal of my essay was to introduce a third party, who do not see boundaries at all but rather a cohesive world. Skeptics may point out that Sturges Hall isn’t necessarily the best example for this idea, however, by drawing additional evidence from the objects which surround Sturges I believe I have given enough primary evidence. It is important to recognize all ways of thinking and by presenting this additional group of people who see the world boundary-less, our understanding of the world and others’ viewpoints can be expanded.