Mary Robinson - Class Reading Reflection 1

When reading Chapter 2 of Humans in the Landscape and Dr. Redick’s chapter excerpt, I was intrigued to learn about the different ways that aesthetics can affect peoples’ interactions with the environment. I found it interesting that some aesthetics could be considered monologic while other aesthetics are seen as more experiential. I understand monologic aestheticism to be one-sided; humans are looking out onto nature and are using it for their own pleasure. While this aesthetic brought attention to the wilderness and began the movement of creating national parks, it’s almost as if this aesthetic only focuses on what can be deemed “beautiful.” It does not highlight every aspect of nature, but only the parts that are pleasing to the eye. On the other hand, the experiential aesthetic allows us to appreciate the environment for what it truly is, the beautiful and the not-so-beautiful. When experiencing nature through this aesthetic, humans are fully immersed in the environment and have the ability to create a special connection with everything surrounding them.

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