The irony of our existence is this: We are infinitesimal in the grand scheme of evolution, a tiny organism on Earth. And yet, personally, collectively, we are changing the planet through our voracity, the velocity of our reach, our desires, our ambitions, and our appetites. We multiply, our hunger multiplies, and our insatiable craving accelerates.Consumption is a progressive disease.We believe in more, more possessions, more power, more war. Anywhere, everywhere our advance of aggression continues.My aggression toward myself is the first war.Wilderness is an antidote to the war within ourselves.
The quote reflects on the paradox of human existence: despite being tiny in the vast timeline of evolution, humanity exerts enormous influence on the planet through relentless consumption, ambition, and expansion. Our collective actions drastically alter Earth's ecosystems as our desires for more possessions, power, and control grow unchecked, driving a destructive cycle of greed and aggression. This insatiable appetite for more exemplifies a progressive disease that threatens the natural world.
The author emphasizes that our internal conflict mirrors this external destruction, where self-war and internal struggles mirror our destructive tendencies. Wilderness is presented as a remedy—a healing space that can restore balance and provide relief from the war within ourselves. Connecting with nature, particularly through natural landscapes like national parks, offers a form of sanctuary and a way to reconnect with the essential, unspoiled parts of the world.
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