Adam Creason - Saving Rosemary

    When we had class on the Noland a few weeks ago, Dr. Redick pointed out some wild onions and rosemary, among many other plants. Well, because both smelled so good and were natural, we decided to take some onion and rosemary with us, so that we did not have to buy into the industrialization of these natural plants. We cooked it up and made some natural pesto with it. It was good. Weeks later, we were walking on the trail again and decided to grab a little bit of rosemary for our dinner. While we were crouching in the bush, we were approached by a Noland park ranger that told us we could not pick the rosemary from the massive bush. She said it was specifically planted there to serve an aesthetic purpose for the park, as it was planted along with many other beautiful plants at one of the few entrances to the park. We understand that it is not our property, thus it is not truly ours to take. The privatization of land makes this harvest taboo, but the privatization of nature is one of humanity’s problem. However, once she walked away, we grabbed a little anyway because we did not accept this aesthetic purpose.

                Was this wrong to do? Maybe, but it felt as if we were saving this small bit of rosemary from a life of aesthetic utility. This is something similar to what we have discussed in class. We, as humans, have begun to see nature as a domesticated source of our own aesthetic pleasure. By planting this rosemary bush for its sight, while ignoring its true natural purpose, is symbolic of this warped relationship between man and nature. Humans have placed themselves above nature, not seeing each being for its inherent value, but rather seeing it as a source for human desires that are beyond necessity. This has given humanity a view on nature that sees nature as a wealth of resources to be exploited or to be enjoyed for aesthetic pleasure or to serve as a utility for human industry. In doing this, the division between man and nature has widened. It is possible to make an argument that harvesting a small portion of rosemary from the trail will heal this divide. By collecting this rosemary, we experienced a part of nature that was raw and tasty. In doing that, we truly understand what we use when we add rosemary through a spice shaker in the dorm. I understand that these rules are in place to safeguard against the tragedy of the commons, but maybe it is okay if it means humanity gets to slowly bridge the artificial gap formed between man and nature.

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