Looking at nature makes you nicer

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“If it weren’t for Central Park, all us New Yorkers would kill each other,” says Ruta Fox, a 50-something jewelry entrepreneur from Manhattan. “It’s the saving grace of this city.”

As extreme as that sounds, Fox may be on to something. In a set of recent experiments, researchers at the University of Rochester in New York monitored the effects of natural versus artificial environments — and found that nature actually makes us nicer. 

“Previous studies have shown the health benefits of nature range from more rapid healing to stress reduction to improved mental performance and vitality,” says Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology, psychiatry and education at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study, published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

“Now we’ve found nature brings out more social feelings, more value for community and close relationships. People are more caring when they’re around nature,” he says.

Fox, who lives three blocks from Central Park, says she’s definitely noticed the effect the 843 acres of woodlands, water bodies and rolling lawns has on the city’s overcrowded, overworked inhabitants.

“People in the park are happier,” she says. “They’re playing with their kids, running with their dogs, having picnics with their girlfriends or boyfriends. Their attitudes are better than in most circumstances of interaction in the city. It’s friendlier.”

The fall of friendliness?
Will all this change as fall and winter descend and we begin to spend more time indoors?

Not necessarily, say researchers, who point out the “naturally nice” effect doesn’t so much hinge on daily hikes through the woods as it does paying attention to the natural elements we encounter each day.

“It’s about stopping and smelling the roses as opposed to passing them by while thinking of your next meeting,” Ryan says.

Nature’s psychological power is so profound, in fact, that even paying attention to a painting of roses or a potted fern can make a difference in a person’s attitude. In three of the experiments, people were shown images on a 19-inch computer screen, with half viewing buildings, roads and cityscapes and the other half viewing landscapes, lakes and deserts.

In a fourth study, participants worked in a room with or without a few houseplants. In all cases, those who were exposed to natural elements — digital or otherwise — rated close relationships and community as more important than they had before the study.

The more attention participants paid to natural elements, the “nicer” they got. Conversely, the more they focused on artificial elements, the higher they rated selfish goals, such as wealth and fame.

“There was a change toward the social direction for people who were around plants and a movement away from that for people who didn’t have plants,” Ryan explains. “Human artifacts like city scenes led people to be less social. And being in the room with no natural elements had the same effect.”

Ryan says he hopes his research, which involved 370 participants, will make a difference when it comes to city planning, health care settings and work place environments.

“There’s a real value to having green space,” he says. “It serves the community.”

Planting social seeds
A.J. Dax, a 43-year-old green lifestyle consultant from Los Angeles says she tries to sneak as much nature into her daily life as possible, from spending time in her garden to using floral or wildlife-themed work accessories to keeping a workspace that overlooks a bird feeder and fountain.

“I can’t stand parking garages and if you get me in traffic, I’m one of the grumpiest, most impatient people you’ll ever hope to meet. But put me in a park and I’m a pussycat,” she says.

Zaccai Free, a 37-year-old publisher from Washington, D.C., says he too notices a difference in his outlook when he’s trapped in the city too long.

“Too much time in concrete and my enthusiasm depletes, my mood becomes rude and my attitude is as hard as the streets,” he says.

To counteract this, Free does community gardening, goes for frequent walks through D.C.’s Rock Creek Park, and uses a screensaver featuring digital shots of trees and river and creeks.

The publisher, who spent five years in the rain forests of Central America, says he’s also seen a distinct difference between those who live in the city and those who don't.

“In Belize, people were much more community and family-oriented,” he says. “More open to sharing, not only material things, but their time. Here, so much of our time is spent trying to get some kind of deal. There’s always a motive, an agenda, in big cities.”

Sharing the green
Interestingly enough, Free’s observations are backed by Ryan’s research, which found that nature not only makes us more social, it makes us more generous.

“In two of the studies, we gave people the opportunity to share money with another person and they were more generous when they were in a context where there were natural elements,” he says. “If I had a nonprofit, when the donors came in, I’d want them in a room with natural elements.”           

Dax, who says her family often teases her about moving into a tree house one day, says she’s not at all surprised to learn that the presence of nature — or lack thereof — can impact human beings’ feelings of connection and social responsibility.

“If you look at Wall Street, that makes a lot of sense,” she says. “They’re all walled up in those high-rises. Maybe they need to spend more time in Central Park.”

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{"commentId":10074151,"authorDomain":"silvermaxie"}

Take note all you who post ugly, hateful comments on this site. A kinder gentler way of being, one person at a time, no matter what our differences is sorely needed in our world today. Humaness. how would you define yours?

{"commentId":10074151,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"silvermaxie"}
  • 6 votes
Reply#1 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:09 AM EDT
{"commentId":10074597,"authorDomain":"bmarshall-1"}

I say close central park, cut all the trees and lets see if all the New Yorkers kill each other. What a wonderful world.

{"commentId":10074597,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"bmarshall-1"}
  • 3 votes
#1.1 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:33 AM EDT
{"commentId":10077523,"authorDomain":"kilifiman"}

Bob,

Thanks for showing off that you really are an idiot. I always wondered why so few "Conservatives" actually cared to conserve what really matters: clean air, clean water, a diverse and abundant world. They seem to prefer to conserve out of date, hateful and demeaning politics and life styles.

{"commentId":10077523,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"kilifiman"}
  • 5 votes
#1.2 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:40 PM EDT
{"commentId":10082330,"authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}

Gazing at Nature does make a person nicer.

One doesn't have to deal with self-centered, egotistical, mean, cruel and heartless people in Today's society.

Ah, hug a Tree!

{"commentId":10082330,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}
  • 2 votes
#1.3 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:53 PM EDT
{"commentId":10083052,"authorDomain":"megidoloan"}

Hawaii2: Nature really does make people nicer, I feel. I've noticed that whenever I'm out in the city, everyone is so wrapped up in themselves - on their cellphones, bumping into people, and so forth, but whenever I'm out walking on a trail, every.single.person says hi to you, even if they're jogging with their Ipod on. Nature is a happy place.

{"commentId":10083052,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"megidoloan"}
  • 2 votes
#1.4 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:25 PM EDT
{"commentId":10083564,"authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}

Meg: Thanks for you comments.

Our family are Ocean ettes!!! We LOVE the ocean. On each Seaboard East and West. I find peace, calm, and the power of G-d there.

It is total freedom, watching the waves crash, walking on the sandy beaches with no shoes, looking at sea life, fresh air splashing on your face, flying kites, and going to ocean art galleries. Everyone is happy..

Long walks along the beach, watching the tide go out and the gorgeous sunsets.--solitude. It is a bonding experience for all of us.

{"commentId":10083564,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}
  • 1 vote
#1.5 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:52 PM EDT
{"commentId":10083624,"authorDomain":"bobomadder"}

I grew up in Los Angeles during a time when people thrived on negativity. It was celebrated. Being a cynical, angry, negative person made you "tough." Partying hard while destroying your own body made you "cool." Being a kind, positive person made you "corny" and weak. All the music I listened to was aggressive and loud, whether punk, metal or rap. All the movies I watched were action flicks with big guns and plenty of violence. Then I saw how that kind of negativity can destroy people. Now, in my 30s, it's funny what kind of things I consider enjoyable. From classical music, to just being outside watching the wind blow through the trees. It's amazing how easy life can be when you embrace a more peaceful mindset.

{"commentId":10083624,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"bobomadder"}
  • 1 vote
#1.6 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:55 PM EDT
{"commentId":10084654,"authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}

I love my beautiful rose garden. Each rose is a miracle, with some of them having a wonderful fragrance, or just looking up at the blue sky on a sunny day appreciating how wonderful life really is.

It's the simple things in life that matter. Taking a hike, walking and just being by your lonesome enjoying the freedom of thought nature brings.

{"commentId":10084654,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}
  • 1 vote
#1.7 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:50 PM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":10075178,"authorDomain":"r-fish"}

I wonder what Limbaugh and Beck look at every day.....

{"commentId":10075178,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"r-fish"}
  • 6 votes
Reply#2 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:59 AM EDT
{"commentId":10080715,"authorDomain":"sparcboy"}

...and Olberman and Maher....

{"commentId":10080715,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"sparcboy"}
    #2.1 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:44 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10082442,"authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}

    Sleepy Bear:

    They all have so much moola, they see nature at a whims notice. Vacations in remote places with their gal friends. Party on.

    Spirtual, just Spirtual. Nature is God.

    {"commentId":10082442,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}
    • 1 vote
    #2.2 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:57 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10082479,"authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}

    Maher is the real Devil in disguise.

    Get rid of him off the airwaves. Who is his mother and father that produced this insensitive soul?

    {"commentId":10082479,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}
    • 1 vote
    #2.3 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:59 PM EDT
    Reply
    {"commentId":10077715,"authorDomain":"ruffner"}

    Maybe that explains why all the natural, rural and farmbelt environments full of happy, social, caring, generous people are red (Republican) states while the urban, artificial environments full of rude, selfish, miserable people are blue (Demcratic) states . I see a definate correlation here.

    {"commentId":10077715,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"ruffner"}
    • 3 votes
    Reply#3 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:46 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10082366,"authorDomain":"itgranny"}

    I don't know. i was born and raised on a farm in rural minnesota. I own a small acreage now in Minnesota in a town of less than 500 and have lived here for more than 20 years.

    I feel that this is a big, wealthy country and it's wealth should be enjoyed by all. There should not be kids in the US that are hungry, i don't care if dad's a dead-beat and mom's a lazy-ass. The kids should have 3 squares of healthy food every day. If they aren't getting it, then you need to fix the system so they do, not throw it out as a useless cause.

    I believe in this big wealthy country of ours that if you are working full time at the little convenience store on the corner, you should be getting a living wage. That includes enough to rent a modest home/apt, 3 squares and health insurance. If the owner can't afford to give you that, they need to rethink their business plan.

    I believe that abortions should be legal and safe. I don't understand why anyone would deny gays to be married as it i can't see how it hurts a hetro couple's marriage.

    There are actually quite a few of us out here in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin. Perhaps you aren't paying attention.

    {"commentId":10082366,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"itgranny"}
    • 5 votes
    #3.1 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:54 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10082742,"authorDomain":"stspecialk"}

    E-ruff, that is a really dumb comparisson. Obviously you have never been to the 'red' states to see how much natural beauty they have.

    {"commentId":10082742,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"stspecialk"}
    • 2 votes
    #3.2 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
    Reply
    {"commentId":10078388,"authorDomain":"shadow2000"}

    No, wait a sec, it's the rural "rednecks" who are all hateful--racist Ku Kluxers and gun-crazy hunters. While the 'blue' folks are the ones always talking about inclusiveness, tolerance etc.

    But seriously I think politics has nothing to do with this discussion, and I agree that people need nature for spiritual sustenance. (wait a sec, it's those city liberals who are the real environmentalists...). You just can't generalize & stereotype. We all need to respect this planet!!!!!!

    {"commentId":10078388,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"shadow2000"}
    • 4 votes
    Reply#4 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:10 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10078810,"authorDomain":"luvenia48"}

    Looking at nature has always been a way to calm down and energize ourselves. We as humans need to understand that progress is a good and bad thing. When think of progress you have to answer a few questions to see if it has caused you more harm than good. Are you working longer hours for less pay? Are you spending more time away from friends and family? Are you spending more time in a confined area? Are you now sitting down more than you are moving around? Has technology truly helped you or simply put you in a more work and less living state? Take the time to see what is outside of your home and work place. Take the time to see what your friends and family are doing and by all means find out about those that are not as lucky as you are. To help others is to restore your energy.

    {"commentId":10078810,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"luvenia48"}
    • 3 votes
    Reply#5 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:26 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10079561,"authorDomain":"naveeny1974"}

    The difference is that the rural people take nature for granted, the city dwellers now realize what they are missing. I also enjoy my trail biking or hiking in the mountains.

    {"commentId":10079561,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"naveeny1974"}
    • 2 votes
    Reply#6 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:54 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10082630,"authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}

    Nature is where one can find their soul.

    {"commentId":10082630,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}
    • 2 votes
    #6.1 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:06 PM EDT
    Reply
    {"commentId":10079717,"authorDomain":"flyinv"}

    I've been saying it for years, all you people need to take a hike! Now I have a study to back me up! Life is grand.

    {"commentId":10079717,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"flyinv"}
    • 5 votes
    Reply#7 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:59 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10080168,"authorDomain":"tcooper2004"}

    This is a no brainer!

    The first time I took my brother to the top of a mesa, he remarked on how quiet it was...then he turned to me and said, "Guess you don't realize all the noise that surrounds you all the time."

    Between the hike up and the peacefulness atop, it was energizing and refreshing.

    Going to the mountains and staying in a cabin with hubby next month..can't wait! We both need the rejuvenating!!

    {"commentId":10080168,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"tcooper2004"}
    • 4 votes
    Reply#8 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:18 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10080208,"authorDomain":"k-flannigan"}

    One billion people go to bed hungry,3 billion people live on 2dollars a day, tell them they need to take a hike, ya life is grand.

    {"commentId":10080208,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"k-flannigan"}
      Reply#9 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:20 PM EDT
      {"commentId":10080744,"authorDomain":"lspinardi"}

      Ironically the Bible says that anyone who looks at creation and does not believe that God exists will be held accountable.

      {"commentId":10080744,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"lspinardi"}
        Reply#10 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:45 PM EDT
        {"commentId":10082088,"authorDomain":"megidoloan"}

        Nature is so much more healing than people think. I'm currently very sick with numerous chronic illnesses and cannot work. I live in a generic suburb with plenty of green space, and no matter how awful I'm feeling, I make sure that I get time outside every day just "absorbing" nature. Even if it's just on my deck, watching the chipmunk, squirrels, bunnies, and various other animals in my backyard. I have so much going on and it's so relaxing and peaceful.

        {"commentId":10082088,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"megidoloan"}
        • 3 votes
        Reply#11 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:42 PM EDT
        {"commentId":10082655,"authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}

        I hope we can see nature while waiting in line to see a doctor. It would calm our nerves from the huge mess we are about to enter.

        {"commentId":10082655,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"Hawaii2"}
        • 1 vote
        #11.1 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:07 PM EDT
        {"commentId":10083120,"authorDomain":"megidoloan"}

        Hawaii2: That would be nice! My dentist's office has windows in it, and even though all I can see is the bushes and the road, I'm a lot more relaxed there than I've been at any other office. Same with hospitals - if I'm staying in one that has windows, I don't go as batty as I do if I'm in one that's just walls. I also remember one ER visit where I questioned why there was a painting of a covered bridge on the ceiling. They told me that it helps people relax.

        {"commentId":10083120,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"megidoloan"}
          #11.2 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:29 PM EDT
          {"commentId":10083321,"authorDomain":"stspecialk"}

          hawaii, stick to the subject.

          {"commentId":10083321,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"stspecialk"}
          • 1 vote
          #11.3 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:40 PM EDT
          Reply
          {"commentId":10082964,"authorDomain":"megamomm1"}

          hold me accountable

          i love nature - that's why i love living in hawaii

          {"commentId":10082964,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"megamomm1"}
            Reply#12 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:21 PM EDT
            {"commentId":10083223,"authorDomain":"cojomaniac"}

            That's why we southerners are more laid back, happier and nicer than most Norherners.

            {"commentId":10083223,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"cojomaniac"}
              Reply#13 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:34 PM EDT
              {"commentId":10083638,"authorDomain":"stspecialk"}

              nicer? yeah right!!!

              {"commentId":10083638,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"stspecialk"}
              • 1 vote
              #13.1 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:56 PM EDT
              {"commentId":10088601,"authorDomain":"bhh12345"}

              Ya know New York has the largest parks in the United States right? There are around 178 parks, with 85% of the wilderness in the eastern U.S.

              {"commentId":10088601,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"bhh12345"}
                #13.2 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:34 PM EDT
                Reply
                {"commentId":10083307,"authorDomain":"agss404"}

                First, I believe they need to change "nature" to "peaceable natural scenes". Seeing a pride of lions eat an antelope alive would not generate nice thoughts. Same with floods, hurricanes, etc.... They are all, nature.

                {"commentId":10083307,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"agss404"}
                  Reply#14 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:39 PM EDT
                  {"commentId":10085387,"authorDomain":"naveeny1974"}

                  Now if I was being chased by a bear, mountain lion or gored by a deer or elk. Then I would a little pissed at nature.

                  {"commentId":10085387,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"naveeny1974"}
                    Reply#15 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:30 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":10086012,"authorDomain":"doktorthomas"}

                    So viewing God's work is relaxing... go figure.

                    Well, that's one for the nudist camps!!

                    {"commentId":10086012,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"doktorthomas"}
                      Reply#16 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:03 PM EDT
                      {"commentId":10086351,"authorDomain":"naveeny1974"}

                      Depends on the view.

                      {"commentId":10086351,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"naveeny1974"}
                        #16.1 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:23 PM EDT
                        Reply
                        {"commentId":10087227,"authorDomain":"maureen-o-donnell"}

                        I get the relaxation from playing with and watching my dog. She has such a natural take on everything, it reminds me how stressed I am and should relax. Actually I didn't even realize how much she helped me until I read this book, Paws & Effect, about the healing power of dogs. Dogs are the best natural medicine. For me, anyway.

                        {"commentId":10087227,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"maureen-o-donnell"}
                          Reply#17 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:12 PM EDT
                          {"commentId":10087785,"authorDomain":"smithmp2116"}

                          Great article with absolutely no scientific foundation what-so-ever. The "green" political movement started with the Nazis in Germany, feel free to look it up if you are a nay-sayer. They had lots of trees, meadows & animals to look at; boy-oh-boy they sure were a happy bunch weren't they?

                          It's not surprising considering this is the same MSNBC that ran a report backing claims that parents who allow their children to eat candy increase the chance of them becoming violent felons.

                          I wonder what pseudo-scientific wonders MSNBC next article will divulge?

                          {"commentId":10087785,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"smithmp2116"}
                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#18 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:44 PM EDT
                          {"commentId":10087981,"authorDomain":"bruce-huddleston"}

                          Gazing upon nature is gazing upon perfection.

                          God only made one mistake - figure it out.

                          {"commentId":10087981,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"bruce-huddleston"}
                            Reply#19 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:56 PM EDT
                            {"commentId":10091073,"authorDomain":"pokahiney"}

                            Yes, God gave us republicans. He seems to have a sadistic sense of humor.

                            {"commentId":10091073,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"pokahiney"}
                            • 1 vote
                            #19.1 - Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:42 AM EDT
                            Reply
                            {"commentId":10088633,"authorDomain":"shadow2000"}

                            I recorded an album of cricket & cicada sounds. People say it is very relaxing & meditative! I think it would be great for people trapped in sterile environments, like hospitals & prisons. There is a blurb on my CD cover, "put away the lawn chemicals and spare the singing insects". We need to be close to Nature for our sanity. This is why we can't let the developers bulldoze everything!!!

                            {"commentId":10088633,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"shadow2000"}
                              Reply#20 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:35 PM EDT
                              {"commentId":10096264,"authorDomain":"naveeny1974"}

                              I do hate seeing ants in my house though.

                              {"commentId":10096264,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"naveeny1974"}
                                #20.1 - Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:19 AM EDT
                                Reply
                                {"commentId":10089672,"authorDomain":"torchwood-1"}

                                I would say people that sit around and stare at nature are "nicer" people to start with. Not that looking at it makes you nicer.

                                {"commentId":10089672,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"torchwood-1"}
                                  Reply#21 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:43 PM EDT
                                  {"commentId":10092027,"authorDomain":"clockking"}

                                  Don't kill my aspirations! This article was a beacon of hope for me! I've always thought I was too nice and humane, and now I have a tool with to draw myself closer to the darkside! don't ruin it for me now!

                                  {"commentId":10092027,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"clockking"}
                                    #21.1 - Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:37 AM EDT
                                    Reply
                                    {"commentId":10092083,"authorDomain":"rick-331120"}

                                    Truer words were never spoken! We ALL need nature - it's the way God made us - AND nature is what keeps us ALL alive.

                                    Without air, food or water, NONE of us would be alive today. And then there's the basic spiritual and emotional need for the feelings we get when we see nature in the form of national parks and seashores. The nature we see in the form of forrests and mountains. And the nature we see in couples holding hands whild walking and children playing in city parks all across America!

                                    {"commentId":10092083,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"rick-331120"}
                                      Reply#22 - Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:54 AM EDT
                                      {"commentId":10093855,"authorDomain":"daniel-draffen"}

                                      A balance between civilization and nature is a great concept I think. It doesn't exist now, the city planners and powers that be of the 20th century tried to pave over almost everything in our cities, leaving very little green space in between.

                                      In a balanced society, we would have walk-able communities, clusters of housing and shops interlaced with green space, woods, parks, streams, etc. The idiotic freeways and crowded streets would be replaced with electric rail systems powered mainly by renewable energy sources. With oil and coal running out and the glaciers melting, it may happen sooner than we think!

                                      I like being able to step out of the house and encounter not only green space but some plants and trees that produce edible food! The ghiya plant produces beautiful broad leaves and flowers and a most tasty, nutritious ghiya gourd. The apple, pear, cherry and peach trees produce scrumptious fruit and are very attractive. Same goes for the vegetable plots that produce green beans, peas, lady finger, cabbage, eggplant and so many more nice foods. Not only does green space make a person happier and more relaxed it also can provide food, which in my opinion, is a very important plus point, especially if and when food becomes scarce.

                                      When the oil crisis starts to really take hold in about five years or so that is when having a strong connection to nature will become much, much more important. Industrial food production will stall and shipments of food to supermarkets will be interrupted.

                                      Industrial society was a grand experiment that failed. The idea of running a large industrial civilization on fossil fuels without consideration to the impacts on the environment has proven to be a bad idea, to say the least. In the future we can look forward to life closer to to the earth and a food supply much closer to home. As a fringe benefit, no more crowded bumper-to-bumper freeways!

                                      {"commentId":10093855,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"daniel-draffen"}
                                        Reply#23 - Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:19 AM EDT
                                        {"commentId":10096944,"authorDomain":"dguaglardi"}

                                        I totally agree with the article. We were fortunate a couple of years ago to take a month long trip by car through the southwest but started in Colorado.

                                        We took pictures upon pictures and I can't get enough scenery, that's my thing. What I do is change my computer desktop every 3 to 4 weeks and it does 2 things, it brings me back to that wonderful time and it reminds me just how beautiful this country is. Living on the east coast which has mountains and scenery, is okay but there's something about the west that draws me, anyway, to it.

                                        It has mountains, wildlife and a kind of peaceful state of mind.

                                        It has to be true, I haven't thought about politics for the last 5 minutes. Wow!

                                        {"commentId":10096944,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"dguaglardi"}
                                        • 1 vote
                                        Reply#24 - Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:47 AM EDT
                                        {"commentId":10101705,"authorDomain":"lighthousepirate"}

                                        Nature makes me angry.

                                        {"commentId":10101705,"threadId":"701206","contentId":"3381582","authorDomain":"lighthousepirate"}
                                          Reply#25 - Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:18 PM EDT
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