>> I went to a conference where a speaker
>> argued just such a case regarding inanimate objects, and concluded by
>> launching a plea on behalf of planets such as Mars and Venus, which
>> are in imminent danger of being beaten up by space probes sent by the
>> evil empire of NASA.
>
>I recently read an article (I think it was in "Women and Nature") that
>likened visual representations of the earth from outer space (as on the
>cover of the "Whole Earth Catalogue") to pornography. The author (a man,
>BTW) felt that these photos objectified and demeaned the planet. I'm
>curious what people on this list think about this. I had a pretty
>violent negative reaction to the article, but since then I've been
>thinking about it and I'm not so sure...
I think it's just nuts! I know thats strong language but sometimes....One
of the most beautiful sights to appear on film are those excellent photos
of the Earth taken from various spacecraft. Why not enjoy them? How does
admiring the beauty of something through pictures demean it? Think of the
implications....artists paintings of human form and landscapes. Do these
demean the subject? What of some of the terrific nature photography? Does
it demean tigers and parrots and other creatures of power and beauty? Does
the act of admiring or photographing anything demean it? What of us who
stand on a hill in the evening and admire a sunset. Are we demeaing it by
doing so? Rubbish!
You know, I suspect that critters who write stuff like in the article
above, actually hate what they are trying to protect. I think these people
resent the human capacity to admire and like soemthing. They hate
pleasure--that's it! No doubt in my mind its pleasure they hate. Its not
new, you know. Religion is full of stuff like that, or used to be anyway.
And it's clear to me that many environmentlists hate anything done by
people be it a good painting or fine music. I suspect there's much of that
hairshirt and iron chastity belt stuff among feminists too. I'm not one of
them. I'll admire the moon any time I damn well please! Grrr..
Betty
