Visual Rhetoric

Visual rhetoric is a visual image that expresses cultural meaning rather than just aesthetic consideration. This image is part of the WWF's campaign to improve biodiversity protection and sustainable development. The image is of two rhino's in the wild, both is spray paint graffiti on the sides of their bodies. This is a connection to the growing vandalism and spread of human destruction into the wilderness. The image shows how there is no boundary between human effects and the wild animals that are slowly becoming affected. The vandalism is supposed to evoke a feeling of sorrow and guilt in the human population towards wild animals, such as these rhinos. This image is easy to connect to and can be understood by all ages, especially the young adults who are mostly effecting/affected.

Turtle Island #3

"By Frazier Creek Falls"
The theme of this poem is the beauty of nature. It describes to landscape and uses strong imagery to show the complex beauty. Snyder states that we don't need manmade items such as clothes or tools because mankind needs to appreciate and enjoy the wonders of nature. The human race is so small compared to the earth and needs to realize their importance compared to the world as a whole. 

"Without"
The theme of this poem is the energy of nature. It explains the gracefulness and elegance of the power. The  complexity is seen through the silence, but with undeniable power. Snyder states that the power is seen by whatever it passes and there is no end to what it will face. The power moves with ease and grace, showing no pain or difference in strength. 

"No Matter, Never Mind"
The poem's theme is nature's "family". In the first two stanzas, the father is void meaning that he is everything that is not seen. The mother waves, meaning that it is nature and the environment. Lastly, the child is matter, meaning it is everything that comes from the earth. When matter and the environment mix, it creates life and energy. The result of this family is the mind, which is the mentality of the human race. 

Second Reading of Turtle Island

"Steak"
This poem was really unique in the way it discussed the meat industry and cattle raising. It highlighted the differences and transition between the way the cattle live and were raised to the way they are prepared and served in restaurants. It is a very dramatic and somber description of the way cattle are raised for only the benefit of humans and their consumption. These animals' whole lives are for human's gain and in no way humane.

"For the Children"
This poem was really interesting because last time, I read the poem 'For the Poets'. This poem discussed the generation of children and the growth it has created. Snyder discusses how this generation is not as successful as expected and may not last. In order to survive, the newest generation needs to learn how to survive and live with the land, instead of on it.

"Tomorrow's Song"
This poem talks about the future of our world and our environment. It discusses what the humans have done to the earth and how all the other living creatures have no input into how the world turns out. Snyder speaks about the actions we should take to prevent further harm and how to use the resources of the environment. If we do not change our ways, the human race will not survive on the earth.

Class Discussion

The discussion in class consisted mostly of themes of the poems in Turtle Island. We talked about his styles of writing and topics of each poems. He separates the poems into four sections based on the themes of the pieces. Also, Snyder writes his poems in unique styles, like ending them with strange, complicated phrases. I think he does this to add dramatic effect or leave a lasting impression on the reader.
We also talked about the lifestyles and opinions of people in bioregions. In order to change the problems in specific bioregions (overpopulation, pollution, overconsumption, etc), the people and living organisms in each region must change. Whether this be a simple option like more use of public transportation or drastic measures like a completely new life, in a new location. We discussed what effects our lifestyle, like backgrounds and religion. Dr. Taylor asked us to go beyond our current way of life to explore other options and see the world in a different way.

Turtle Island

"Mother Earth: Her Whales"

The theme of this poem is differences between countries. Snyder analyzes countries like Japan, China, Brazil, and the United States and states that they have ruined the natural resources and wildlife of each country. He uses examples like plants (Brazil), whales (Japan), tigers (China), and otters (the United States) to show what animals and natural wildlife is being destroyed due to governments and powerful people. "Standing Tree People! Flying Bird People! Swimming Sea People! Four-legged, Two-legged, people!" (page 48, lines 49-52). He states that all living creatures are all the same and are all people. Snyder tries to emphasize the point that all the useless taking from the Earth needs to be put to an end and that changes need to be made all over the world.

"The Dazzle"

The theme of this poem is the complexity of mother nature. With the use of syntax, Snyder explains the process of a seed growing underground to become a flower. This process is expected and normal, but is complex because it occurs underground where no one can see it or explain it. The "dazzle" is the growing design of the roots of the plants in the soil. 

"As For Poets"

The theme of this poem is the beauty of poetry. Snyder explains the complexity of poetry and the feelings it can create in an individual. Each type of poet he describes is different and shows a more unique side to poetry. Snyder included this poem to show the feelings he hopes to express through his poetry and to show how much poetry has impacted his life. 

Summary of the McKibben podcast and bioregional quiz

The book written by McKibben portrays a world called E-A-A-R-T-H, a new and changed planet from what the population was born into.  This earth contains the same daily activities and necessities for life, just in new ways that have been developed due to the expansion of humans. The population has taken all of the resources of the planet and pushed the Earth to known limits. The planet will soon run out of space and capacity for life. McKibben states that the United States is used to a sense of large and expansive progress, but because of the deteriorating world, the population must cut back on usage and emissions. Many factors are affected by this change including space to live, the economy, and the food system.

The world is also expanding in ways other than the environment. In the modern age, the Internet allows people to be connected across the world. This view allows the population to not dwell on local life, but to see the world as a whole. The Internet also allows people to work and make a change in places all around the world.

The bioregional quiz showed students that many people do not know the environment around them as well as hoped. The environment is always changing and cannot be helped with people do not know what is effected and affecting the world. By taking this quiz, students realized how little is known about topics such as drinking water, plants, summer storms, and stars. These topics are slowly changing on Earth but are necessary to know if the population is trying to help prevent further damage. 

E-A-A-R-T-H notes

After reading both parts of the podcast, I thought many things McKibben said were very interesting. First, it was interesting to read that "our world is not the world we were born into". Obviously, we still live on the same planet, but so many things have changed. The same basic functions of our world are there, just adapted and changed to meet the Earth. And some of these changes are not exactly good. These changes are because of the damage we have placed on our planet, and even though we try to undo or delay these problem, we have to understand that we have permanently damaged the Earth and will have to deal with it for as long as we live.

We also lack the space and funds to help prevent these problems. The population tries to lower fossil fuel use, carbon dioxide emissions, etc. but the fact of the matter is that our economy is in debt and there are other pressing issues. I thought it was really interesting when McKibben stated " we're already starting to run into limits". These limits are both financially and environmentally.

McKibben also said that as Americans, we are used to and like 'bigness'. We are so used to living large, that when we are faced with these issues, we don't take them seriously and put in enough effort. As he said, we are afraid of our lives "getting too small" or "too local."