Blog #4

This man took Thoreau's idea and ran with it

The thought of breaking away from society and living in the woods goes through my mind everydy.  Imagine a life free of responsibility, deadlines, pressure, just you and good old mother nature.  I love being in the woods,  away from the concrete jungles and the constant buzz of technology in my ear.  Some of the best days of my life have been spent gorge jumping, snowboarding, walking through the creek, or just spending the day in the woods.  I can guarentee if any of you spent a whole day outside in nature, you would go to bed 10x's happier than if you sat behind a computer on facebook or finally finished the tenth prestige in Call of Duty.  With as much as I love being outside in nature, could I give up all of the comforts and conveniences of modern day life? 

In all honesty I think that I could.  I find mself turning my cell phone off somedays just because I don't want to deal with it.  I only really watch tv after midnight and if your in the woods why would you need internet?  I don't have many possessions that I am extremely attached to so I wouldn't really have a problem leaving anyting behind except family and friends.

The fact that Thoreau lived in seclusion would be what I would have a serious issue with.  I am a people person, I need to be able to around someone.  If I was going to live in the woods I would try to get someone to come with me, just to avoid going absolutely nuts.  Being alone with your thoughts for a long period of time could be an almost scary thing, I think I would go crazy.   If I was to venture into the woods alone for a year, I feel like after the time was up I would have a very difficult time re-integrating into society. 

During a year of seclusion, submerged in nature, there is a lot that can be learned about yourself and the world.  Maybe you decide that living without the every day convienences of modern day life is far more fulfilling than waking up to an alarm clock and going to work everyday (sounds better to me).  Maybe you decide that it is stupid to be living in the woods it alldepends on what kind of person you are. 

For me personally, it would be challenging to give up everything i've become accustomed to, however I could see myself enjoying an experience like this.  I definatly think that Thoreau became "more intelligent" during his time in the woods, especially in his writings, art, and thoughts.  I think that I would gain similar knowledge toThoreau if I lived in the woods for an extended period of time.  Nature can be a great form of inspiration and has been in the past for many people throughout history.