Richard Smyth’s survey of nature writing in Aeon magazine contrasts two styles that are the results of tastes or sensibilities. Some people want reporting, observations, facts because they want to understand what’s going on. Others want to leave the door open to emotion, how nature makes a person feel.
We human beings are part of the very thing we’re trying to understand.
If you like nature, and writing about nature, Smyth gives an excellent overall view of the field.
The point I found most interesting was made by Wendell Berry. It’s the distinction between knowing something and being familiar with something.
“Familiar” has roots in “family.” It’s used to describe knowing something intimately, as one would a family member.
When we moved to San Antonio, I stared walking along Zarzamora Creek every day, just to try to get a better understanding of our new environment. The question is whether you can know nature as you know your family.
• Source: Richard Smyth, “Nature does not care,” Aeon, 12 April 2022.
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