Interesting article RE: Virtual Nature

[Scorpius]

See attached.

Pretty good, eh?

[LudwigB]

Not a bad article, but I don't see anything really unique about the commodification of nature. One could just as easily say that the local independent movie house commodifies other cultures, by showing foreign films that only the educated care about or can afford to see, when one who "really" cared about other cultures would go out and travel. Ditto upscale ethnic restaurants. That leads me to believe that this article wasn't really intended to be a reflection on the replication of nature as opposed to the real thing, but rather just another tired rant against consumer culture, dressed up in a slightly different manner than we're used to seeing.

But nonetheless I agree with most of what was said. Thanks for the post, Scorpius.

edit: BTW, the "having it both ways" thing: :up: :up: :up: Same goes for "green" technologies. At a real "rainforest cafe" you'd be outside, sitting on the dirt and eating with your hands!

[Scorpius]

Thanks. It was actually something I read for one of the courses I'm taking semester ("Eco Thinking"--very stereotypical sounding, I know), along with Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (<---only to be read after smoking a substancial amount of weed minutes before, or else, you might not get it).

Even though it (the article) is a bit outdated, I think some good points are raised. It at least made me rethink some of my consumer habits and attitude towards the environment. And if it can do that to just one person, it's good enough in my book. :)

And that's a good one about the Rainforest Cafe...I'd enjoy your way a heck of alot more than what they've got in the mall.....