[at-l] why do we "conquer" the outdoors?

[sloetoe@yahoo.com (Sloetoe)]

One question that was asked of me this weekend is why most
people try to conquer the outdoors instead of enjoying it the
outdoors?  Why must we climb a mountain, hike a trail, canoe
down a river?  I think that I know why, but I would like to hear
other peoples thoughts and ideas.

Grey Owl

###
1) We don't always *have* to "conquer" -- as Denise and Amy have
written, sometimes we're going "home" -- and are at peace. Yet
also, and but really, it's

2) Historical artifact. We are a nation of mutts. All who are
here *left* somewhere's else, and (most) left that place in
dissatisfaction. We came here as explorers, misfits, rebels,
pilgrims, *conquerers*. It is genetic, and yet now carries a
cultural patina.

With regard to that cultural patina, the genetic dissatisfaction
with the status quo can be turned productively (exploration of
things in furtherance of mankind's development: geography,
resources, technology, human performance) or it can be turned to
the *un*productive (mindless hedonism, disco, Spice Girls, Jerry
Springer).

Pushing the boundaries is going to happen, given the genetic
predisposition, but if we are to benefit, we must have/maintain
constructive outlets: we must have a vibrant education system
(including teaching for the young and research for the learned);
we must have a competent park/wilderness system (from urban
rail2trails to "wilderness" within a half-day's drive). We must
learn that if we turn the letters in "Injury Lawyer" around far
enough, they will anagram to "Mephistopheles". These cultural
traits provide grounding for the values that foster and
*sanctify* risk-taking and exploration as *productive*
dissatisfaction.

Celebrate the pioneer spirit. It is the identity from where our
history stems, and to where our future lies.
Sloetoe


Oh, (somewhat parallel) mandatory literary reference:
"Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul"
http://www.beliefnet.com/frameset.asp?pageLoc=/story/115/story_11575_1.html&BoardID=47418


=====
Spatior! Nitor! Nitor! Tempero!
   Pro Pondera Et Meliora.

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