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Human-Nature

Our relationship with the natural world.

Diet
Is Animal Research Acceptable?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on February 23, 2011

It's a sick culture, it's pathological, the way we condone research on our animal kin. How can we just accept it as normal life?

It's a sick culture, it's pathological, the way we condone research on our animal kin. How can we just accept it as normal life?

Environment
Nature and Technology -- Can We Imagine the Future?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on January 22, 2011

It is hard to imagine the future. But if we want to survive and thrive as a species, we had better get going on it.

It is hard to imagine the future. But if we want to survive and thrive as a species, we had better get going on it.

Environment
Why Do We Need Wild Nature?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on January 17, 2011

Sure, without wild nature we can live as biological meat.  But we won't thrive.

Sure, without wild nature we can live as biological meat.  But we won't thrive.

Embarrassment
What is your Response to Man's Inhumanity to Man?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on January 9, 2010

Old men are like babies. With their boneless gums they're beggars for love and supplicants for life...You want to know the Truth? My friend, Listen!...

Old men are like babies. With their boneless gums they're beggars for love and supplicants for life...You want to know the Truth? My friend, Listen!...

Happiness
What Happens When Two Water Buffaloes Strain in Opposite Directions?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on November 19, 2009

Think of two harnessed water buffalos pointed in opposite directions. They are connected with a metal chain. They each give everything they have going forward. What do you think happens? ... Those water buffalos are our minds. 

Think of two harnessed water buffalos pointed in opposite directions. They are connected with a metal chain. They each give everything they have going forward. What do you think happens? ... Those water buffalos are our minds. 

Genetics
What Does it Mean to Say "We'll Adapt" to Big Cities and to Little Nature?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on November 8, 2009

A reader posted the following response to an earlier discussion of mine. He said, "We can't turn back time, we need to adapt." But adaptation is many things. Sometimes when we adapt it's good for us - biologically and psychologically. And sometimes it's bad for us. I'd like to discuss different types of adaptation. This discussion forms part of the argument for smaller cities, fewer people, and bigger nature.

A reader posted the following response to an earlier discussion of mine. He said, "We can't turn back time, we need to adapt." But adaptation is many things. Sometimes when we adapt it's good for us - biologically and psychologically. And sometimes it's bad for us. I'd like to discuss different types of adaptation. This discussion forms part of the argument for smaller cities, fewer people, and bigger nature.

Relationships
The Wild Side of Love in the Style of Kabir

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on November 3, 2009

There's a marvelous body of ecstatic poems by the Indian poet Kabir from the 15th century. The translations by Robert Bly are especially beautiful. It's in that style that I'd like to continue my dialog about how wildness exists not just "out there" but through relation. 

There's a marvelous body of ecstatic poems by the Indian poet Kabir from the 15th century. The translations by Robert Bly are especially beautiful. It's in that style that I'd like to continue my dialog about how wildness exists not just "out there" but through relation. 

Genetics
Can We Adapt to Big Cities and to Little Nature?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on October 30, 2009

By destroying nature, we're destroying the wellsprings of our life. But some people argue that we can adapt to these changes. I think it's a pernicious argument, and wrong, but grounded in some truth. I'd like to explain what I see going on here.

By destroying nature, we're destroying the wellsprings of our life. But some people argue that we can adapt to these changes. I think it's a pernicious argument, and wrong, but grounded in some truth. I'd like to explain what I see going on here.

Anger
Glimpsing the Beloved

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on October 25, 2009

We do the bidding of our jealousy and anger. We do the bidding of our hatred. We do the bidding as procreation thrives. There are as many ways to mask a slave as there are rooms in my Father's mansion. But what if the truth is this: 

We do the bidding of our jealousy and anger. We do the bidding of our hatred. We do the bidding as procreation thrives. There are as many ways to mask a slave as there are rooms in my Father's mansion. But what if the truth is this: 

Parenting
The Tepid Pool? -- Choices We Make in Connecting with Nature

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on October 23, 2009

There's a mountain pool that you find hiking up the wild river. The water emerges into it from porous volcanic rock. The water flows from the cold country. It's too cold to plunge in. But you're in. You're in because your lover is nearby and you need to prove your manly-hood....

There's a mountain pool that you find hiking up the wild river. The water emerges into it from porous volcanic rock. The water flows from the cold country. It's too cold to plunge in. But you're in. You're in because your lover is nearby and you need to prove your manly-hood....

Relationships
We Don't Know What We're Missing

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on October 17, 2009

There are experiences with nature - so beautiful, so deep - that we're losing. We don't have to lose them. We can chose otherwise.

There are experiences with nature - so beautiful, so deep - that we're losing. We don't have to lose them. We can chose otherwise.

Relationships
Primal Passions -- A (Short) Rant

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on October 3, 2009

It's easy to get caught up and caught out with the daily demands of the world. We can shut down. We can go through the motions. Sometimes it drives me half-crazy. But what if....

It's easy to get caught up and caught out with the daily demands of the world. We can shut down. We can go through the motions. Sometimes it drives me half-crazy. But what if....

Depression
Please Don't Visit Zoos!

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on October 2, 2009

I know many of you don't want to hear this. I know many of you love zoos. You might take your children to zoos on a Sunday afternoon. The human-animal relationship is a beautiful and powerful one in human life. But would you take your children to gape at interesting-looking people in a jail?

I know many of you don't want to hear this. I know many of you love zoos. You might take your children to zoos on a Sunday afternoon. The human-animal relationship is a beautiful and powerful one in human life. But would you take your children to gape at interesting-looking people in a jail?

Sexual Abuse
Beautiful Passions -- Primal Passions

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on September 28, 2009

The wild ways exist in our relation to external nature. They also exist within. Both are essential parts of our human nature.

The wild ways exist in our relation to external nature. They also exist within. Both are essential parts of our human nature.

Relationships
Deepening Our Wild Relationship with Nature -- The Old Way

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on September 24, 2009

I want to talk about what wildness is. I want to suggest that we need it deeply and intimately in our lives. It's part of our essential nature. It gives life meaning. Yet our interactions with the wild are becoming increasingly domesticated, and even perverted.

I want to talk about what wildness is. I want to suggest that we need it deeply and intimately in our lives. It's part of our essential nature. It gives life meaning. Yet our interactions with the wild are becoming increasingly domesticated, and even perverted.

Parenting
Is it Elitist to Limit Easy Access to Natural Areas?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on September 17, 2009

Imagine that you live in a town with access to a beautiful river, and have on many occasions meandered down river off trail over sharp rocks and small waterfalls to secluded spots of immense beauty. Imagine that other people want easier access to those secluded spots. They say, "you're elitist by limiting access." I think there is much to say in response. One thing is this: By increasing easy access to nature we deny our children - and our species - profound experiences (Biblical in kind) of interacting with nature.

Imagine that you live in a town with access to a beautiful river, and have on many occasions meandered down river off trail over sharp rocks and small waterfalls to secluded spots of immense beauty. Imagine that other people want easier access to those secluded spots. They say, "you're elitist by limiting access." I think there is much to say in response. One thing is this: By increasing easy access to nature we deny our children - and our species - profound experiences (Biblical in kind) of interacting with nature.

Environment
Why Do We Destroy the Nature We Love?

Peter H Kahn Jr., Ph.D. on September 7, 2009

 I love trees. I like hugging them. I run high ridges. I walk along the ocean's edge. I love nature. We all do. How could it be otherwise? For tens and even hundreds of thousands of years, we as a species came of age through daily and intimate connection with the natural world. That propensity and need to connect - deeply and intimately - with nature is with us still.

 I love trees. I like hugging them. I run high ridges. I walk along the ocean's edge. I love nature. We all do. How could it be otherwise? For tens and even hundreds of thousands of years, we as a species came of age through daily and intimate connection with the natural world. That propensity and need to connect - deeply and intimately - with nature is with us still.