Nature Deficit Disorder
June 20th 2007 18:03
What the?!!?? Nature Deficit Disorder? NDD? We psych people come with the durndest things. Whatever may sweep the collective sentiment and reap an abundance of interest and ????
Actually, I was reading about this today, and it makes sense. Our techno-convenient ways of being seem to dangerously distance us from the very nature from which we were born. Hell, I don't need no stinking beach. It will just expose me to the dangerous sun rays anyhoo. And, then what? Why go outside and stand around doing nothing, when I can at the flip of a switch entertain myself, educate myself, socialize, shop, and even create faux personae such that I can become bigger and better and badder than I ever hoped to be should I actually have a tangible engagement with another real person.
Many parents are becoming concerned that their kids no longer want--demand--to go outside. Rather, they have electronic entertainment in the form of television, cell phones, video games, and computers.
Convenient life.
I think that NDD is serious, and places individuals and ultimately the various collectives in a precarious position. A particular sense of perspective that only comes from activating oneself 'out there in the nature' becomes lost when one does not 'activate out there in the nature'. This, it seems, may ultimately lead to a restricted and likely unhealthy way of being in the world. If, indeed, that is being in the world.
The antidote for this emerging NDD may need to include a revisioning of 'place', and a re-educating of the importance of nature. And, that nature includes we humans. As with any disorder, effort is required to shift from one entrenched way to another. Neural pathways do not easily change direction. Yet, with effort and identified purpose, they can be redirected.
Now, WALK AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!
deorre
Actually, I was reading about this today, and it makes sense. Our techno-convenient ways of being seem to dangerously distance us from the very nature from which we were born. Hell, I don't need no stinking beach. It will just expose me to the dangerous sun rays anyhoo. And, then what? Why go outside and stand around doing nothing, when I can at the flip of a switch entertain myself, educate myself, socialize, shop, and even create faux personae such that I can become bigger and better and badder than I ever hoped to be should I actually have a tangible engagement with another real person.
Many parents are becoming concerned that their kids no longer want--demand--to go outside. Rather, they have electronic entertainment in the form of television, cell phones, video games, and computers.
Convenient life.
I think that NDD is serious, and places individuals and ultimately the various collectives in a precarious position. A particular sense of perspective that only comes from activating oneself 'out there in the nature' becomes lost when one does not 'activate out there in the nature'. This, it seems, may ultimately lead to a restricted and likely unhealthy way of being in the world. If, indeed, that is being in the world.
The antidote for this emerging NDD may need to include a revisioning of 'place', and a re-educating of the importance of nature. And, that nature includes we humans. As with any disorder, effort is required to shift from one entrenched way to another. Neural pathways do not easily change direction. Yet, with effort and identified purpose, they can be redirected.
Now, WALK AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!
deorre
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I say we should rebel and do more computer time, drink more coke, exercise less, eat pizza more and get fat intentionally.
Comment by katyzzz
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Good post, we do need to commune more with nature and get out into the natural environment, parents must lead kids by the hand on this one.
Modern technology, which I love, does have its down side.
And we can do all the things that Damo suggests and the only thing we can guarantee is that we'll die young.
katyzzz
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Now, if you will excuse me, I need a cigarette after my triple cheese burger. I espcially enjoy it in front of the telly.
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
I don't suppose dying young is such a bad thing if everything is a mere object of convenience. It seems you find a decreasing subjectivity with all the 'stuff'.
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
laughed my ass off!! Walk away from the computer!!!
Great post!
Take care,
Nick