Nature is a Human Construct, and it’s Time to Change it

[@funwithayoyo]

I think we all know the voice, but seeing the body it belongs too honestly, is like seeing a long missed friend. I really do think this content is better experienced with you in it. Cheers.

[@umbulede4765]

Yaaa.. Saya juga mau bilang begitu

[@calisoleil3692]

Well said.

[@suburbianghost]

I was like omg it’s perfect

[@TheDoomWizard]

You might like my channel too then 😀

[@gefginn3699]

I agree 👍 💯

[@jabatochef7849]

There it is! your face. My man, what an honor to "meet you". And you also quoted Thoreau, my absolute favorite author

[@xChikyx]

I definitely never imagined him like that

[@mikebasil4832]

@Chiky Scares You Neither did I.

[@OOOOOO-dx7zu]

@@xChikyx never imagined him with so much facial hair. Thought he'd look something like the kid from how to train your dragon with his voice.

[@georgegundlach]

It's cool having a face to put to your voice

[@fburton8]

@Duncan Macleod Like a younger version of Werner Herzog perchance? That was how I imagined anyway. :)

[@Donklopfen]

My dad is a forest ranger, and he gets angry when he ears people say that "man doesn't belong on earth" or that "forests are the home of the animals and when you visit it, you should feel like a stranger visiting someone else's house". He says that in the forest, he feels at home too. He doesn't like that divide that has been set between "civilisation" and "nature", wich can be found in the mindset of capitalists seeing the nature as a resource to be exploited but also in the worldview of some environmental activists, who see mankind as an intruder in nature (edit: and to be more clear, my father is very aware of the environmental crisis (he deals with the consequences of it everyday at his job) and knows that action is necessary, he just has a problem with the wording that is sometimes used to alienate mankind form nature). And… Yeah. When we think about it, we aren't aliens who landed on Earth two centuries ago. We have been here as long as all the other species. Our disconnect with nature shouldn't be the normal status for us. Thanks for the video!

[@LunaLu-00]

Well, we proved that we will destroy everything before we learn how to live in harmony with nature and animals. So the advice to act like a "stranger in somebody's house" when visiting nature is a very good advice. Your father obviously did not understand it. Reality of the enormous destruction of forests, animals and nature proves that if we acted like a respectful guest when entering the world of nature and wildlife we would do a huge favor to them and to ourselves in preserving it. Regardless if we were "aliens" or belonged here, we proved that we are destructive to the point of no return. Sooner we accept that, sooner we get a chance, but obviously most people do not get it. Your father sees environmentalists as "enemies". It is sad and frustrating to see that after all this proof (just read yesterday that 25 more species are officially reported as extinct) there are still so manu people, even those that work with nature, that do not see the urgency of this realization. Our actions here (in our "home") are much more disturbing than anything a "stranger" or an "alien" could even imagine of doing!! We used our imagination to create horror on this planet and STILL think we are "entitled" to it??!

[@anon4388]

Thanks so much for writing this. It feels good that there are people like you and your dad, it gives me some kind of hope for humanity.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

@@LunaLu-00 Your point on "we should feel as srtangers to be respectful" is an logical error in my view and I am sure also in the view of the Ranger. I see the divide between "nature" and "civilization" as the root evil of our destructive behaviour towards "nature". We should feel right at home in nature because we are part of it. If we as a civilization would understand us as part of nature, we would stop seeing it as exploitable "other". By saying "we should feel as srtangers to be respectful" enviromentalists support the idea of nature as "other" and not us humans and nature deeply connected. I think that is the problem the Ranger has with some enviromentalists. I strongly believe that humans can live in harmony with nature and that we are just utterly misguided by Christianity* and neoliberal Capitalism ("F**k nature, only money counts"). *("And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.")

[@Donklopfen]

@@LunaLu-00 Oh! I definitely understand your point, but I think you misunderstood what my father said. :) He doesn't see environmentalists as enemies at all. I mean… He is a forest ranger. He sees the effects of climate change every day, and his work suffers from it. He is not a skeptic at all, and sees very well that environmental action is more than necessary (even if he is more optimistic than me about our future). His problem resides in the wording used by some people (environmentalists or not). He doesn't like that separation put between people and nature, because he sees people as part of nature (he himself feels at ease in the forest, and he knows how to act to not disturb its inhabitants). And I can understand his point here. We cannot live in city-bubbles with no effect on nature, and we cannot flee on a spaceship to separate us from Earth. We must accept that we are "earthlings" as much as all the other species and learn to have a healthy relationship with this planet, that is our home. We must familiarize us with our environment rather that being strangers to it. Now, will we manage to do it someday?… I don't know. The situation is so bad and there is so many people reluctant to take this topic seriously (specially the ones whose job depends on not believing in climate change) that I doubt it. But, hey! We could at least try.

[@anon4388]

@@LunaLu-00 I get what you mean, I have had very similar feelings, and they are as heavy as lead. you are absolutly right that we destroyed so much to the point of no return. It really is horrible, alot of times I think that we humans dont deserve this planet. But something we need to remember is that humans are also one of natures animals (at heart). For about 200 000 years homo saipiens walked the earth. its only the last 30 000 that we have farmed the earth, domesticated animals, had wars, slavery, and built cities, walls and borders. Sadly there is no turning back the clock. But what is left is now more precious then ever before. maybe we can somehow be better than yesterday and hopefully realise that when we are destroying nature we are destroying our souls. We need to take responsibility and save what we can. nature will always be a part of us whether we like it or not, therefore we should not stop visiting it. Besides the ecosystem is so upside down that if we just leave nature alone it wont get better, invasive species will destroy even more. Ive spent years being so frustrated with this, and what ended up happening was that I just felt worse and worse and nature never got any better. I hope you find peace.

[@LikeStoriesofOld]

Hi all! This is my first appearance on camera (please be gentle haha), and the first video produced with mainly my own footage! A big thanks to all my Patrons who, through their continued support, have helped make this possible! If you want to support my work as well (and get cool rewards in return) head on over to: www.patreon.com/LikeStoriesofOld Thanks!

[@syamantakdutta]

hello ❤️

[@syamantakdutta]

absolutely love your videos... they aren't just educational videos or entertainment videos... the effort you put in them makes them nothing short of works of art. Love you man. Keep making us videos and keep enlightening us ❤️

[@TrueBlueCat]

I listen to your stories at night. You voice is comforting. I am a melancholic person by nature, a day dreamer and night dreamer. So it is easy for me to lose myself in these wonderful stories... and that's fine by me. Thank you.

[@shara1979]

It was amazing! Less A I seeming, more natural & for you, & more intimate for us. I prefer this method. Maybe not for all videos, but especially for this topic, it was important to the message, I think.

[@stephanieterreblanche9470]

You've been in my "watch later" for two years. Because I knew that watching this movie would make me cry, and force me to face the things I've been avoiding for years. For this, and the fact that I am watching you today, I thank you.

[@wilfred_ho]

I always took Nietzsche's "death of God" concept as a call to personal responsibility; more than just leading a "moral" existence, but the internalization of a superordinate "good", so to speak. It strikes a chord with me when you lay out a philosophy of letting (an external conceptualization of) Nature die, for two reasons. First, the concept of "nature" is a word and idea that has worked well for our material comfort, so letting it go is a bit like offering your child to the chaos of the world knowing that the child will be consumed; you walked a nuanced line between the resentful pessimism of "the world would be better off without humans" and the "pass the buck" mentality of the status quo. Second, it is motivating me to think deeply about how we grow after the deaths of God and Nature as if mourning the loss of an archetypal father and mother. Take care, folks.

[@zacharymoss2994]

This may change your mind on nietzche kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z57XdoV_jL6roZI

[@zacharymoss2994]

Here's a fellow much wiser than nieztche kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5TRkoGnn8Spd5Y

[@CPB4444]

If God is Dead then we must create God in our own image.

[@PhilJonesIII]

@@CPB4444 That is what Nieztche essentially said. He said the result would be catastrophic, and it was.

[@PhilJonesIII]

@@zacharymoss2994 A video about Nietzche by people who clearly did not grasp what Nietzche was saying.

[@syamantakdutta]

I was low-key expecting someone like Gandalf

[@happykat9952]

Lol

[@callap8062]

😃

[@bsku0765]

Haha

[@jameswesleykarl]

I thought he'd be much more plain looking, heavier and Indian 🤣 dude is actually really good love king

[@Memoiana]

A young Gandalf

[@roc5291]

I live in the State of Nebraska in the heartland of the US. As a kid, my family would go to the State of South Dakota for a week long camping trip. Those trips have always stuck out to me as the most magical of vacations. The sounds of crickets, birds and the sight of fireflies flying around lighting up the night. Being at the lake all day. Sitting around a camp fire at night. Doing a lot with less. As I got older, I moved to a city for work. Every day, I am more and more aware of how little people care about the environment around them. Constantly see peoples trash in every street. People leaving their babies dirty diapers in parking lots. Have been behind cars several times that threw their trash out the window and onto the street. I think back to those quiet moments during my camping trips and I just feel like THAT is more that way that we were supposed to live. Not living in cave man times by any means but, a much more delicate balance of modern and natural. As long as Oil runs the world and our ever increasing population continues to grow and become lazy, unmotivated, spatial unaware adults, I just don’t see this problem going anywhere. If there is a word that will come to define the human species someday, it most certainly must be the word: MORE. Thank You for making this video. Every time I try to bring this subject up with friends, I get called a lot of things and the conversation dies down. I hope your video enlightens people to this problem. You’re by far one of the best creators on KZbin!!!!

[@internalizedhappyness9774]

They why are you such a defeatists when it comes to this the future of this planet huh.. let me guess you got your fill and now that your older and problems that were born in time have begin to overgrow a you think it’s us the new ungrateful adults, in reality your not grateful your just nostalgic.

[@jamiehargett7176]

38 county here

[@roc5291]

@@internalizedhappyness9774 K….

[@internalizedhappyness9774]

@@roc5291 Four dots Bold choice.

[@roc5291]

@@internalizedhappyness9774 For someone who’s name is, “Internalized Happyness” (nice spelling there….HAPPINESS) you’re kind of an A$$hole.

[@oddggear8802]

I've always felt that Man Vs Nature was a false dichotomy, but I never knew how to word it or visualise it, leading me to be constantly frustrated with the entire discussion. It always felt like people were visualising 'nature' like an enemy or threat, something that had to be strategically dissembled, defeated, and then reconstructed to our requirements through the sterile, 'rational' weapon of 'human ingenuity' or 'science' or whatever else they imagined that was a uniquely human trait that could 'win the war.' This video has honestly helped me to finally put those nebulous thoughts and feelings into words and gives me a genuine sense of relief. I can put it together in my mind now and I can see through clearer lenses, not a muddy and frustrated perception.

[@alexiaabramov2544]

have you ever found yourself alone in a forest during sundown? especially a northern forest where the sun drops fast. when this happened to me i figured out part of the reasons why so many humans have waged war on nature for so long. Nature is a scary pitiless bitch at times. Both the stuff inside and outside our heads. I think that's the problem - lotsa people seem to have a problem reconciling the fact that everyone has 2 halves of the brain ;)

[@SaschaHusenbeth]

I can recommend Descola's Beyond Nature and Culture if you want a well articulated deep-dive into the emergence of the dualism of nature and culture.

[@FerretOverlord]

If you haven't read it, Ishmael is a great book that explores the problems of the "Man vs. Nature" narrative

[@clara.wireddot384]

I felt this frustration too, until I saw this video.

[@OYME13]

What I find so enthrallingly beautiful about your channel, is the simple fact that you are, in a modern platform, simply continuing the many millennia long existence of the philosopher who hungers and thirsts for truth and righteousness, and is happily but painfully burdened with the need to make us aware of your unique but very needed vision of the universe we live in. You make it new, and keep it old (Like timeless Stories of Old). Thank you.

[@thomasschliffke9185]

Those are beautiful and deep words. This way of you giving thanks to him, is also a very important view, this world needs. This inspired me to say thanks to you.

[@OYME13]

@@thomasschliffke9185 Just reading your reply now, 3 months later. Thank you sir, you've put a smile on my face

[@Moe_Posting_Chad]

No. He isn't. Your bias is so thick, you can't see a foot in front of you.

[@tracykooken2606]

so well said that there is no need of more

[@stefancekacekic]

I love how you always end your videos with hope, with a positive notion, faith in humanity, that we together can make difference by being more conscious as individuals and believing that our actions are important, no matter how small they are. I cannot be grateful enough for inspiring me and, i believe, many others... I just hope that i will find a way of contributing with my skills, passion and dedication to something meaningful as you are.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

Oh wow, 50 minutes? Lunch break isn’t long enough. I will save this for a treat later tonight when I am home, relaxed, comfortable.........and high. Can’t wait.

[@soumyadipsarkar2910]

Same thought

[@XpRnz]

Oh man i don't smoke anymore, but how i wish i was high at this moment haha.. luckily the video is fantastic, have a good one!

[@bennemann]

If you get used to watching videos at 1.5-1.75x speed like I do, you'll be able to watch videos this long in your future lunch breaks. It is the best KZbin watching trick I've ever found.

[@soumyadipsarkar2910]

Finally watched this. This is like therapy to me now.

[@thisguy8106]

I am forever grateful for the hard work you put into your amazing content.

[@jawshh559]

“Hey, you’re not handsome, you’re gorgeous!” - Toki (Princess Mononoke)

[@RDHardy79]

Very apt film to quote.

[@alechall7082]

“Stop trying. Take long walks. Look at scenery. Doze off at noon. Don’t even think about flying. And then, pretty soon, you’ll be flying again.” -Ursula (Kiki’s Delivery Service)

[@iberis361]

I love this video as a whole, the editting, the camera shots of stunning nature(despite the said old gopro lmao), the writing and script. I only intended to watch some of it to do something else while eating my breakfast, but was hooked from start to finish, I don't have any astonishing story about my experiences with nature unlike everyone else here to share, I just wanna tell how amazing this video is to me.

[@adrianwolff2007]

I was searching for you. How you looked, finally saw you. You have exceeded my expections. I have been watching your videos for years. You kept my sanity in my depressing times. Your videos were like sitting near a lake alone and be peaceful with what i have at that moment. Thank you for everything.

[@soycrates]

Wow this is a masterpiece! It really is ingrained in us that we are somewhat separate from nature - your words were really thought-provoking. I appreciate the consideration of animal rights. Most people here are in search of the "ultimate truth" and seeing the world the way it is. In today's industrialized world we are exploiting non-human animals unnecessarily, to satisfy our pleasures and conveniences, and all without any moral consideration. That's the truth. It's time we wake up.

[@celiacresswell6909]

You have a fantastic talent of paying attention ..... and maybe that is closely connected with the art of loving. Keep em coming!

[@planetarysolidarity]

"Culture is [ or was ] the biological response to an environment." So, perhaps we to be more awake to how our own biology relates to other species. Spending time with them seems to help.

[@biz5292]

What a remarkable video. I've always have these thoughts, unfortunately, I do not have the words to tell the tales. It all goes on in my head quietly , but hearing someone talk about it out loud is very comforting. "Nature is just nature", when you spend time in the wild, when you peak your head inside other creature's life that is not a man, even for a brief moment, you'll get a glimpse of the concept of nature Nature can be cruel, chaotic, orderly, magical, mystical, harsh and beautiful. It is neither good or bad, which makes it even more complicated to comprehend, it's simply just nature. What a beautiful and thought provoking video it was. Thank you very much for your effort and creativity.

[@creatancremanova7097]

then write it down, anywhere you can. Phone, booklet, notebook, audio... I had the same issue which annoyed me...

[@yhsa]

Mother nature can provide for everyone's hunger but can't fullfill the greeds of individual.

[@iqbalindaryono8984]

No? Carnivores exist because nature can't feed everyone. Without em, there would be an ecological collapse. There's a limit as to what an ecosystem can sustain.

[@JINORU_]

@@iqbalindaryono8984 Not sure how that refutes the statement. Carnivores are as part of nature as the rest.

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

and whose gonna make us share from what we have, the UN? I hate the antichrist. I hate the antichrist.

[@Raurie4]

Honestly this helped with a lot of things. For the longest time I tried to understamd where i belonged and where home was. The thing was I never really felt different where ever I went. I started toying with the concept that home isnt just one place. As a child i grew up in and around nature and just kind of learned to accept it and understand it. It kinda brings me comfort listening to this because we are just as much a part of nature as any animal out there. Thanks for making this it is a beautiful video

[@ash8207]

“All things are parts of one single system, which is called nature; the individual life is good when it is in harmony with nature.” - Zeno of Citium

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

now just point me the hippie who actually has any kind of skills to do that. they tend to all live in big cities and whine.

[@donHooligan]

@@KossolaxtheForesworn just wait until "supply line issues" cut off food to those cities. i'm taking bets on how long it takes for city dwellers to become full-on cannibals. my guess is 5 days.

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

@@donHooligan yeah I would not wanna be there when it all comes crashing down.

[@Dialogos1989]

Sounds also very Lao Tzu ic

[@dragonfangalexander]

The thing is, there is no such thing as Harmony in nature. It's is a collapse, a fall, a scream, a desolate silence. It is caotic, violent, ever changing. There is no adapting to it. And no good can come out of it.

[@fredriktornelius]

I was recommended Latour for a paper I'm planing, thank you for the overview and your contextualisation of his work. I feel much more inspired and engaged in the project now!

[@coolstorybro6076]

* As a member of the Blackfeet tribe; let me say that spirits once connected us perfectly to nature.... our spirituality literally gave us the capability to adapt to environments and ecosystems that we never genetically evolved for.... if we lost nature it is ultimately because we lost our true spirituality... we lost the sacred (which was our best technology in surviving and thriving in nature).

[@ilzitek2419]

I loved this beautiful film. Thank you. We live in our heads way too much. The mind separates us from nature. Nature is related to our whole body. We have not been treating our body too well. Your experience is totally different if you dwell fully in your body validating your emotions and feelings. You become one with nature.

[@jansears4380]

Your work is moving and a guiding light against a sea of misinformation and disparity. You are the gold standard of humanity. Thank you for your time and efforts. Means the world. Very nice to meet you😊. I spend as much time alone in the woods as I can. There is something so powerful about just being. Sitting beneath trees that are many lifetimes older than I and wondering what has this tree been witness too? Thank you for the reminder that we are all connected to nature. It’s been forgotten and lost by many. You’ve found your spark! Keeping lighting us all! All the best! Jan

[@Infinite_voyager]

Somehow I find you putting into words some of my deepest self reflections about nature. Thanks for this beautiful meditation!

[@kamykase381]

Each time, when it comes the end of your videos, i still wanna cry : crying of joy, crying of sadness, crying cause I'm felling thankful for what I've got, for what I lived, for what I am, for what we are. Thank you for sharing us all your emotions and thoughts, for sharing us what makes you a human : your sensibility. Peace and love on all of you.

[@carinagrigorovici1014]

You've articulated perfectly something I've been feeling all my life, this disconnection between humans and nature and it made me extremely sad. However, I take it as a wake up call to go out and experience more of what nature has to offer before it's too late. Thank you so much for this video.

[@DizzyBFella]

Again, absolutely the most sublime and thoughtful content I have ever seen on youtube. I continually look forward to your new content, and I really think this new, personal and in-person style suits you and the channel. I commend you sir, and I hope you will continue this channel for a long time, because it absolutely enriches my life, and, I believe, enriches the internet as a whole in a very positive way.

[@renkehodl6603]

Your Content is outstanding as ever, it reminded me of the following: "We are as gods and might as well get good at it" - Steward Brand; 1968

[@shara1979]

Im so jealous. I wish i could articulate like u. You are better than i at expressing my own thoughts, lol. And in an unbiased way, not taking sides, but displaying every possible angle. Your thoroughness in looking at different sides, & then suggesting alternate options & remedies, & even ways of viewing things in a different way is very profound & thought provoking. You have opened my eyes to certain things i was blind to, & added perspectives i was unopen to prior about many different subjects.

[@rc59191]

I watched another video awhile back that delves deep into Avatars hidden meaning and how we've destroyed our connection to nature. As a born hunter I was always taught to love and respect nature we've become so entranced by the modern world that not wanting to see forests destroyed for the sake of paper gets you labeled as some kind of tree hugging hippie. It should be in our best interest to take care of the planet we only have one until we start colonizing others and find a way to mess those ones up too.

[@vu4803]

Hunters get a bad rap in the media. Sure there’s idiot yokels but there are also people who care to be grateful for your harvest and want to preserve the natural world. America’s national parks were most aggressively established by both tree huggers like John Muir and sportsmen like Teddy Roosevelt.

[@VibingMeike]

@@vu4803 About that, I remember seeing a movie where the hunters were portrayed as bad people, it wasn't even subtle in any way. I quote one of the hunters: 'Our boy loves animals. And he's in a hunter family!' Like... That's just sat so wrong with me for... I don't know how long

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

avatar should have ended with a mass Exterminatus. it is far easier to dig up that metal from the ground when the planet has been burned clean. the Emperor protects.

[@VibingMeike]

@@KossolaxtheForesworn But that's what they tried and then they failed, right?

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

@@VibingMeike clearly didnt try if the planet hasnt been burned to a crisp in nuclear fire.

[@squirlmy]

I grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts and as a young man did a bit of hiking in Walden Pond, "The Fells" and sometimes further west, in the Quabbin Reservoir, and in some of the few state parks. Then I found none of it was "Old Growth", that nearly the entire state had been deforested within our short history (relative to Europe). I was living in a poor reconstruction of forests, much like Holland, I suppose. BTW, Thoreau used to often walk to his Mother's house for dinner, while living in his "hut/cabin in the "woods". So, not as "one with nature" as he pretended to be in his writing.

[@thejenkadventure]

Also, a must read: Richard Louv’s books “Last Child In The Woods” and “The Nature Principle”

[@plaidpvcpipe3792]

2:46 That's the kind of stuff that gets me frustrated, a little. It makes me think "Vulnerable plants? Animal resting place? I'm an animal too! I'm part of nature too! I can go where I want to go." And when you showed the cut down trees to make heathlands stay heathlands, I felt kind of sad.

[@malachkah]

kick the sign and trespass

[@plaidpvcpipe3792]

@@malachkah luckily I live in New Jersey so they don’t have signs like that.

[@Inambic2]

It’s so nice to finally meet you Tom! As always, I truly love your videos and this one is no different. I had the biggest grin when you turned your camera towards you for the first time in this video. I admire your work and your journey and am wholly excited for your next video!

[@eriktempelman2097]

Right now, I am professionally engaged with an MSc program devoted to the materials & energy transition. This video will certainly find its place there... ... and you are welcome as a guest speaker. Our students deserve to see you in person.

[@TheSid42]

Love the tie to Hertzogs Cave of forgotten dreams, just had to watch it for an art class and loved it, and of course with the classic Hertzog tie ins of personal stories made it that much better.

[@3Systems6Buster9]

This is history in the making. For some of us, your voice is a perfect translation of the articulate thoughts we have. That is ours now. Years ago, I searched for you and found you. You replied. It propels me to keep persevering, knowing that you exist, that we are all here together. You are a perfect conduit of inspiration.

[@smunyili]

I had to pause at 1:11 to come and see if anyone had seen what I just saw. Great to meet you, sir. Finally

[@DTD963]

I was sitting in a York (UK) pub, drinking cider, and listened to this. I think you're absolutely correct in pointing to the need to change the narrative around nature as not something 'out there', but something we are a part of. In doing so, the hybrid model of Latour makes more meaningful progress in bringing political efficacy to the voiceless. To borrow his own terms, a true "dingpolitik".

[@nigelaw4137]

Finally, that face! Following you for five years and Now happy to see the person who did so much for me. I now have a face to thank!

[@Liam_Nielsen]

For me, learning Woodscraft (bushcraft, traditional skills) changed my relationship to nature in the same. Going through an environment where I know the uses of the things made me see 'nature' as active and not as a neutral backdrop. Thank you for helping me understand that change in perspective.

[@romeostoll4056]

A wonderful novel that tells all of this in a story is: The Overstory by Richard Powers.

[@CoreenMontagna]

Yes! That novel permanently changed how I look at the trees around me.

[@austinpeterson6203]

I became a Pagan this year after a long internal struggle with the guilt of living in a modern world. Paganism and environmentalism are symbiotic; to revere nature but also understand your unique place in the natural order. Talking to my Gods by a giant oak tree under the moonlight does more for my spirit than all the social media or movies/tv on the internet.

[@perrywidhalm114]

Yet you post your comment on KZbin! LOL

[@schlepedits7486]

Thank you for your video. I recently began solo back packing into wilderness 2 years ago. I have never looked back. I on purpose dropped my hours worked so I barely break even on my monthly expenses. I feel more at home in nature now. I find indoor spaces dirtier than outdoor. I only wear shoes when it gets bitter cold. I can't stand what we've become as a species - especially given the damage we have and will cause to the biosphere. It's hopeless, but there are still wild, tranquil, and dangerous places out there. That being said... I've never lived such a life for more than a week at a time. I understand your point about " would this make me truly happy for long periods of time". I'm really not sure. By the time my week is over I am ready to return to over abundance of food and video games. It's a peculiar thing. I also enjoy filming and documenting the places I've been and you are correct that the drive to share those things is one of the primary motivations to exploring these places. It really makes me reflect on the odd cruelty of camera technology. It can take over your attention - diluting your actual experience. There is no doubt that ancient peoples would engage in the same behavior if they had the ability to capture nature with a lens. It falls into the general theme of humans and their obsession with story telling. On the flip side, there is no doubt I would have forgotten many of the specific events or places I've been/seen if I had not captured it on film. p.s For some reason I thought you would be an Indian guy XD I guess I haven't heard a Dutch English accent very much.

[@youngnope4664]

I always look forward to these uploads. Thank you for taking the time!

[@mmreigh]

You don't need to go to the unpolluted wild to realise nature is everywhere . We must embrace nature everywhere. Love the pigeons, the rats, the street trees as much as we love a national park

[@solgato5186]

if your ecological despair doesn't draw you closer and make you want to fight harder out of sheer defiance, you ain't grieved hard enough yet. it's gonna hurt, it is meant to hurt.

[@DavidDachauer]

Tom, please keep doing what you're doing! Your work is so inspiring to me. Thank you 🙏 I have, for so long, wanted to know ther person behind the voice and the videos, and I feel like this video really did that for me.

[@_spacegoat_]

Excellent work, my friend. Your expert presentation induces a welcome calming effect. Not only are your videos relaxing, but also deeply thought-provoking. I always find myself pondering things through your lens, so to speak, for several days afterwards every time I watch your channel. And it's good to see the face of the thoughtful man that goes with the gentle voice. Ik kijk ernaar uit om meer te zien!

[@diebartdie2837]

I'd never think i would have the opportunity to be in presence of a change of paradigm, thanks to "one video of KZbin" xd. Your work it's a letter of solemnity with this world. Thanks, gracias totales!

[@Themrsnappyify]

I haven’t watched it yet but I frequently feel anxiety and despair over the death of our planet. I know I’m going to cry watching this

[@Desb-ui9vx]

What a beautiful work of art this is.

[@artyfarty87]

I agree 🙏

[@eshatbereitsbegonnen7313]

Wow, I always visualized an old wise man when I was listening to your beautifully crafted talks/videos. Now I am convinced that you are much younger than me. Thank you. Just thank you, young man.

[@robbentvelzen6807]

Nee maar, ik verwachtte hier geen landgenoot achter te vinden. Mooi werk man.

[@christianagupitan6034]

Thank you for articulating something I've felt for so long.

[@dr.syndrome9165]

God, your stories are heavenly...

[@colonelweird]

Does Tom realize how close he is coming to traditional philosophies like thomism? The distinction he describes between nature and culture is a product of modernity; classical metaphysics does not notice it at all. Take a look at W. Norris Clarke's The One and the Many, for example: a very good overview of this kind of philosophy. The book ends with a description of the philosophical importance of the concept of "the intelligibility of being" -- which is almost exactly what Tom ends this video with. In any case, this was another really great video. I'm grateful for it.

[@janicestevenson6496]

Thank you for this perceptive look at our relationship with nature. If we look at our lives as centered in relationships--with people, places, things, the natural world, etc. we can learn how to be in relationship and see ourselves as part of everything because we have relationships with everything. If we can see ourselves connected to instead of separate from our environment, it will allow us to feel gratitude, respect and humility towards and with all life. That is a good starting place for making the changes that will be required to mitigate the damages we have caused and take responsibility for becoming constructive guardians by giving up our destructive self-centered approach to the world around us. (These thoughts are based on the writings of Marshall Vian Summers who has devoted his life to receiving a new message for the world that can bring humanity forward in our evolution to face a new world, no longer isolated in the universe, but part of a much greater community of life beyond our borders. His many books comprising these revelations are available free online and have been translated into over 30 languages.)

[@johnchapman5125]

Thank you, Janice.

[@julieann1975]

Thank you

[@davydacounsellor]

Most of the great thinkers have all lived in solitude, I once asked my uncle what he believed in, he told me nature, the nature of everything around us from humans to grass, good to see a man behind the voice, hi from Ireland.

[@marcelosinico]

That dissatisfaction comes from our human condition of knowledge, knowing our existence will end. We try to over extent our existences, if not by time, we do it by meaning. For one spending his or her life in a cabin in middle of nowhere is like a slow death. Forgetting or being forgotten is like death to us. Nature by itself is what takes our lives, in its cycles going nowhere. It doesn't give any meaning to our lives. In fact, it takes it away. We want to feel connected to something greater than our short and meaningless existences. Religion used to do it for us with an illusion of connecting to a greater being whom would give eternal life to us. We know better now. So, we create the meaning to ourselves in our own worlds, with our own connections. Nature is just a landscape where we project ourselves and the things which are meaningful to us. But we must not forget that without that landscape, there is nothing to work with.

[@missinggrahamlacher]

Thank you for a thoughtful hour that expresses so much of what I feel as an earthling--not just homo sapiens or citizen of the world, but a being that is OF the planet. And it's really nice to see that the humility and sincerity of your voice is also found in your gestures, your facial expressions, and your eyes. Believe it or not, I laughed out loud a couple times, despite the gravity of the topic. I guess I'm easily delighted by beautifully expressed ideas!

[@damnkrimzen2646]

That last part reminds of the film "Only yesterday", when at one point, a character who works on a farm talks about how nature is somewhat man made, that it's a continuous effort on the part of many generations. Trees are a good example; a seed has to be planted in the ground and taken care of by a person so it can grow.

[@GeertTheDestoyer]

Seeds don't need to be planted for a tree to sprout, as of they fall from a tree on a spot with the right conditions (enough moisture, sunlight and nutrients is the soil) it will just start growing. The point i think this video is making has more to do with seperation and therefore an incessant need to controll. Plants will always try to sprout wherever they can, it's us humans that somehow want to constantly controll this, because of slight inconveniences it can lead to, i have seen plenty of trees sprout in ditches, in any area with some soil next to or in a sidewalk that have not been planted whatsoever. I have seen trees sprout on top of bridges, and even on top of building. A good example of this is if you look at Chernobyl as of today, building are becomming overgrown and trees are sprouting just about anywhere. As stated in the video culture and nature are not truely seperate, and i think we should let nature run it's cource more wherever it is not dangerous or undesirable. I worked in landscaping for a few years and became disillusioned and appalled by the way we do things. It's done completely without thought and has such a "we always did things this way" mentality. Constantly mowing grass, removing weeds, just seperating the urban and natural world.

[@brandonmorel2658]

@@GeertTheDestoyer Good take.

[@mikeciul8599]

Way back in 1989, Michael Pollan wrote an article called "Weeds Are Us." One line in that article keeps coming back to me and it seems relevant here: "The survival strategy of most species is to extend their dominion as far and as brutally as they can, until they run up against some equally brutal natural limit that checks their progress. Isn’t this precisely the course we’ve been on?" Similarly to this video, Michael Pollan's story starts with Thoreau but goes so much farther. I love both so much. Thank you!

[@Mobiddley]

Seeing those lips move, and hearing those words spoken. Just wow.

[@thisguy8106]

Ikr. His voice is incredible.

[@laramaria2908]

I found thought-provoking and interesting! This separation between domains can also be felted when someone says (I said it too many times): "Ugh, humans are the worst." We can also put barriers and domains between us to avoid thinking in depth about this. A world where we will not more include nature, but recognize that we were included all this time. We are nature. So therefore we have responsibilities. Amazing video!

[@laramaria2908]

@Edmond Dantes Well, considering that many times a single mosquito made me jump out of the bed to catch the electric racket... That's accurate xD How many time we have until the electric racket is there?

[@Bheem161]

"We have constructed a paradox" "Now the time has come for us to kill nature" As always a wonderful source of inspiration Feel hugged

[@cooperdavis9663]

Now that you have me thinking about it, I'm starting to feel like the separation between nature and culture never really existed for me in the first place, at least to a certain degree. I grew up on my family's farm in rural Missouri, and our house is situated within a wooded area of pastures where cattle graze. My brother and I spent our childhood years exploring every inch of those woods, so it never seemed like something innately separate or foreign (other than an electric fence surrounding the perimeter of our house to keep cows out of the yard and off the road). This little piece of "nature" was just another extension of home that I'll cherish for as long as I live.

[@melissaschnecke2307]

Can’t wait to watch this on my break!!

[@joaquinibarra8886]

Man, the journey that you create through this videos is amazing, for sure in some way there is art in here. Really grateful for people like you who encourage others to take this journey with you. Honestly some of the best content of KZbin by far, I finished the video like 10 minutes ago and Im still shaking and feeling all type of emotions towards the things that you put into it, I dont know, its just crazy that just this morning I went to take a walk really early by the side of a river near my house here in Chile, and when I got home this specific video of your channel its on my start page in KZbin. Thanks again for bringing us this content, I feel so inspired.

[@waywardsoul3562]

You my friend are brilliant beyond words…nice to put a face to the voice… blessed be…peace

[@misfittoray4383]

Sometimes, I play your videos not to pay attention but to listen, as I am doing now. You are a friend from a different part of the world. Love from Nigeria.

[@chardaskie]

Just saw your face. It doesn't fit my image but that's a good thing!! I'll edit after the video with my thoughts

[@4-kathryn]

Once to a canoe class trip to Canada in my young teens and were out in nature for 3 weeks or so. Though the landscape captivated my eyes, the sound of birds and rustling of leaves, water gave me a sense of calm. All I wanted was an ice cold watermelon to enjoy. I wasn't the only one, other classmates wanted something refreshing to grab... we kept thinking of what we'd purchase if we were at a convenience store... ice cream sandwich, a Rootbeer float; the suggestions from everyone in our group just kept flowing. I still will always have an appreciation for nature but don't ever mock human technology and the grace of having things instantly cold. Never knew how much I appreciated refrigeration until I was stuck in nature for a long long time.

[@annamiau8116]

You look way different than I imagined in the most positive of senses (if looks mattered) ;D cheers

[@teachermatt]

Great to see actually see you in a video brother. You are an amazing person. When I hear your voice and your insights I feel closer to humanity as a whole and closer to myself as well. Thank you for that. You are touching so many people with your videos. Keep going man.

[@alexanderleuchte5132]

"Taking all the fun out of life" is what has already happened, why else is everybody empty and desperately trying to fill that void? Where does the Narcissoism epidemic come from? The life we have is sh*t

[@JINORU_]

Speak for yourself

[@alexanderleuchte5132]

@@JINORU_ Mental health statistis in the west speak for themselfes

[@lorenzoantoniodominguezflo9116]

You've made me smile and cry, sometimes at the same time. The way you approach some stories, some of them overlooked by so many others, is just beautiful. All I can say is: thank you! from the bottom of my heart.

[@EbonKim]

This channel feels more like, "Like Stories of New".

[@Knight-Sky-Games]

My fellow man, feel honored to see the face of man with such great wisdom. 🙇

[@kratoscraken5614]

This can change, this can be fixed. Stay blessed and be positive people 👌🌊👌

[@SusannaSaunders]

Blessed? Blessed by what? By who? Only we can 'bless' ourselves. But it seems we chose not to.

[@John_on_the_mountain]

@@SusannaSaunders narcissist

[@SusannaSaunders]

@@John_on_the_mountain Pineapple - its as stupid as your own comment... :o))

[@devinmoore85]

This relates to a lot of stuff we’ve been learning in my ecosystem management class. Learning about the different fronts that we must address and knowing that while we have no real control over nature we are, by definition of being human, a part of nature and must take part in nature. No longer seeing politics/culture and nature as different entities but realizing that they are the same. Your videos are always a source of motivation and knowledge to me. Thank you!

[@pedrova8058]

Timothy Morton and Gregory Bateson (A Sacred Unity; MInd and Nature) have texts that touch on very similar topics (especially Bateson, the ability he had to connect things is incredible)

[@thedoruk6324]

This is a necessary upload! This summer is a particularly hars even dreaded one The depiction of destitude decaying sewerage Earth at James Camerons Avatar becoming even more accurate each day

[@Docre_T]

It'll take a while for me to truly process this video, this is a really hard pill to swallow. Having basically defined my personality since childhood by being the biggest lover of animals, of nature, environmentalism, then as an adult being a vegan, etc, and also being a highly idealistic and romantic person, it is extremely hard to let go of my notions of pristine untouched "real" nature, of trying to go back to it, and of misanthropy. Thank you for making this video and making me challenge these notions. Also, I loved that example of rewilding in the Netherlands, rewilding is such a fascinating new concept. Btw, was that "we have set things in motion that cannot be undone" a Gandalf reference? It must be.

[@wyattwilbourne530]

I implore others that love nature to read Deep Ecology for the 21st Century. People need to stop being "shallow" ecologists and go deeper

[@a.p.6580]

Usually, i would be against political violence, but in the case of climate change and ecology, i would be willing to sacrifice the lives of some people, if it means mankind's salvation.

[@internalizedhappyness9774]

@@a.p.6580 that’s because your scared also who would be carrying out the killings have you thought about how much pollution you’ll emit in the act of “cleansing”.? Are you going to do it your self if not who are you going to convince and manipulate to do? Please tell me more about how that would solve much? Where are you getting your weapons? Are you doing with your bare hands? Please I can’t wait for the well though out response to my questions.

[@Kaliburrrr]

Genuinely beautiful. Native American, Mi'kmaq man here. There is a teaching disseminated by most tribes at least around where I am of seven generations. everything you do should be done with the intention of the next seven generations preservation.

[@justinlaporte9414]

Nurture nature with love, like nature has and continues to do for you. Turning your back on nature is unnatural and will only result in our own consequences. We are all one family, hope all can find their hearts in these dark times.

[@ladyd.705]

I really get your experience with your GoPro. Almost 10 years ago I was on vacation in Austria near a wonderful town called Silbertal. I made lot's of pictures with my mobile phone with very poor quality. But after all those years I still find myself going back to those old pictures and getting strong emotions from them. It was such an amazing vacation and even the little pictures of mossy rocks with red funghy on them, bring me back to those memories

[@MASTER.SON.]

As George Carlin said, the earth isn't going anywhere - we are. The arrogance of humans to think we could "save the planet"

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

earth has survived far worse than this. the whole worry about the environment is about control yet again.

[@Jc-ms5vv]

@@KossolaxtheForesworn actually the climate has never changed at this rate. Species can't adapt fast enough. Humans won't survive on a dead lifeless planet

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

@@Jc-ms5vv they are whining that global temperature will rise permanently by 2 degrees. *2 FUCKING CELSIUS* are you capable of understanding how little that is. no animal, plant, or human for what matter knows the difference unless they are looking at some 50 year timespan into the past and thinking "oh boy it sure was 2 degrees lower back in 1945" holy fucking shit.

[@Jc-ms5vv]

@@KossolaxtheForesworn it's not stopping at 2c. The planet is in green house runaway

[@Jc-ms5vv]

@@KossolaxtheForesworn btw we're in the midst of the 6th mass extinction. Just wait till the Arctic goes icefree in the coming years

[@richardallan2767]

"If we can imagine separation, perhaps we can imagine connection". Totally. Half of this is finding the most functional and fun perceptual framework to survive. I think we also have to come to terms with how under all this mind, our natural, animal drives still frame how we see and act, and through a lot of individual and collective discipline learn to integrate and surpass these. That's how we overcome nature. With insight and imagination and personal, shared, responsibility.

[@davidmalone4615]

Dude you're a handsome man if I ever saw one!

[@vaughankorede521]

1:06 This was a bad idea... That part of the video gives me goosebumps everytime I listen.

[@jonahwiegand827]

What a handsome man :)

[@danielstein4865]

It’s amazing how you put so many deep insights into simple words! Great video

[@lukasgerber1705]

You are the best channel on KZbin I know, your videos always touch me in a way nothing else does! Thank you! :)

[@vhampyre01]

"Politicizing that which should not be political..." pretty much sums up the world we live in now.

[@ben_IBAM_reiss]

As true fans and supporters me & my partner feel a circle completed when getting to see the "earthbound" behind the voice of LSOO. We must say though, but in terms of language (probably it's Latour), this was a tough one to comprehend... but as always worth the challenge.

[@SENSO1966]

Thank you for thinking...and articulating. I have lost most hope in humans. But your gentle, articulate thought rails against complete surrender. While i am losing gratitude for my own existence, I am grateful for yours.