In this modern age, it is much more difficult for people to simplify their lives. I’m sure that few would be willing to take the same extreme measures that Thoreau did and isolate themselves in the wilderness for years on end. With all the modern technology, everyday life is more complicated than ever before, with ridiculous amounts of information having to be processed on a minute to minute basis, and people being in nearly constant communication. It is very hard for people to escape the complex, intense reality that they currently live in and appreciate the simpler things that life has to offer. Most of the things that Thoreau was constantly expressing his love for are things that people casually take for granted today. Appreciation of nature and how its peacefulness and simplicity affect our lives is not something that most people of the 2000’s often think about.
Thoreau’s vision of the future turned out to be somewhat true. There are indeed many, many more cities in North America than there were in Thoreau’s time, and the former sprawling forests of our country have been greatly reduced. Most of the population lives either in densely populated cities or sprawling suburban areas. The closest thing that many experience involving nature on a daily basis is a few trees and squirrels while walking down the block. Most people’s thoughts and attentions are mainly focused on their social life and their chosen career, nothing close to what Thoreau valued in his life. While Henry sought isolation and simplicity, most people today greatly fear being alone and uninvolved with the wider world.
Because of how much people use their technology to keep them informed of what’s happening in their world, it is very difficult for most people to detach themselves from what is constantly happening with other individuals around them and just take a few moments to themselves to relax. With things like facebook and cell phones constantly being used for people to constantly keep in touch, it is not very often that people can find themselves a few moments of solitude for quiet contemplation. Not very many people today ever come close to Henry’s experience with the simpler joys of life, involving nature and solitude.
Many people today could benefit much from reading the work of Henry Thoreau. Although many people of his time thought him a fool, it is obvious today that the man truly did learn much from his time spent alone in the woods. He gained an appreciation for nature and the simple things in life that many people today would do well to try themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment