Book #2 Review #2
“They sat for a while together, listening to the drone of the bees, watching the darts and the droops of the swifts, eating strawberries, smelling the honeysuckle.”
In contrast to the prologue of the book, Lucy Jones ends Losing Eden with a different tone. The prologue paints a grim view of the future, where nature is something only experienced on screens. But in the epilogue, nature is in full bloom, aided by humanity’s desire to protect the natural world.
One interesting thing that Jones mentioned was how she felt better after swimming in a cove in Scotland. She knew that there was something happening physiologically, but she couldn’t explain it at the moment. Later, she found studies that explained this phenomenon. Being in nature leads to decreased cortisol levels, which is a sign of less stress. Furthermore, if the brain is in a stimulating environment, there is increased amounts of happiness. But, in overstimulating environments, such as the city, overwhelming amounts of stress actually lead to lower happiness levels. Personally, I can see how these findings reflect in my own life. I always feel trapped in urban cities, where there is too much noise. Whenever I travel to more natural places, like the oceanside, I always feel calmer.
Humanity has to do more to integrate with and protect nature. Although there are steps being taken, such as the construction of “green” buildings, these are not nearly enough. People underestimate the effect of nature in their lives and therefore do not appreciate it. But without a shift in mindset, nothing will be done. Losing Eden guides you through the benefits of nature, pleading for its existence, and leaves you with a greater sense of respect for the natural world.
Hi Bryan,
ReplyDeleteI also read Losing Eden and seemed to be interested in the same things you were in the book! I wrote my final post on these green buildings and how other areas of our life seem to unexpectedly integrate components we didn't think were possible. I agree that I do have more respect for the natural world and want to integrate nature as a sort of therapy in my life.
Thank you,
Zoë
Hi Bryan,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. It made me think of how happy I feel when I'm at home because I am always surrounded by trees. Here, there seems to be a lot more concrete. Your post made me want to read Losing Eden to hear more about the science behind connecting with nature!
-Samantha
Hello Bryan,
ReplyDeleteI really like that Losing Eden started with a grim depiction to show the seriousness of the environmental issues that our society faces but ends with a more hopeful and optimistic view of what we can make our society. I agree with you that nature can be both a calming and stimulating thing. It makes me happy to be in nature too.
Ethan
Hi Bryan,
ReplyDeleteThis is my second time reading about this novel, and I am really getting the sense of how powerful nature can be when it comes to healing. It makes so much sense that there is a decrease in cortisol levels when you're exposed to the fresh outdoors. I've also noticed that in my own life, I feel a lot more relaxed/calmer in nature myself. I hope more people can respect our planet and its biomes before things really start to take a turn for the worse.
Angelica
Hi Bryan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Losing Eden seems like it's a great book to read if you want to have a stronger appreciation for nature and what it does for us. Without it we would be nothing, which is why we must preserve it for as long as we can. Something you said in your post that I agree with is that nature is a great way to escape and feel calm.
Elan
Bryan,
ReplyDelete"The drive of capitalism is in direct opposition to the conservation of nature. While people learn to take, nature itself has nothing left to give."
^That gave me the chills. Literally.
Wow! How awful is that? It is like the book, The Giving Tree, except it is the real world. I thank you for reminding me that Losing Eden ended on a positive note. It is difficult for me to let go of how disconnected we are and how much we hurt mother nature. I must remember that it is not too late (I hope) and that we can still make a change if we fight tooth and nail to save our planet which has given us so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Mason
Hi Bryan,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post, and I loved your focus on the juxtaposition between the beginning and end of Losing Eden. The comparison between capitalism and conservation was very interesting and I'm looking forward to reading more about it. I also enjoyed your personal preference for quiet and natural locations over noisy cities. I always say that I want to live in a big city, but the relation to stress is definitely something I'll need to think on as someone who is easily stressed. And I definitely agree with your last paragraph, we need to do so much more to protect what's left of the natural world.
Francesca