In Synder's essay, "Earth Day and the War Against the Imagination", he describes several ecological and social problems, from deforestation to loss of local culture, which he attributes to overpopulation, unequal distribution of wealth and the industrial economy. Snyder goes on to write that out-of-control growth is problematic. Business people, he writes, "argue that economic growth and development or inevitable" and say, "it's selfish to try to put the brakes on growth". (Snyder, 61). Snyder answers this, writing, "It is not selfish for any community or neighborhood to try to find ways to check unwanted growth and expansion in its own backyard" (Snyder, 61-62). Furthermore, Snyder writes that this economic growth and ecologic detriment are allowed to happen because people profit from it. Snyder calls for people to answer this system with a message to corporations saying, "this is unacceptable. Quit doing it or find a radically different way" (Snyder, 63). Despite all the detriment and problems Snyder sees, he also sees a possibility for change through unwavering political activism. Snyder calls us all to be, "tough but good-natured Green or Rainbow warriors, make cause with wild nature, and have some ferocious fun while doing it" (Snyder, 64).
Question: Brautigan and Snyder both focus on our relationship to nature. How do they differ in their approaches and suggestions for change?
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I liked that essay, too. it seems that there is a recurring theme for these San Francisco writers, as they all long for some kind of primordial connection with nature. Snyder's suggestions for change included controlling population growth and regulating expansion; speaking up. Brautigan didn't really put out a "solution" like Snyder did, but his writings included an awkward union of scenic nature and mechanic man. In my opinion Brautigan put those things together awkwardly to show that they don't go together.
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