Adventure Philosophy: An Extension of Cronon's Wilderness

A picture I found on Pinterest -
 thought it fit Cronon's theory perfectly!

Is William Cronon right? Do we interpret the wild as a physical place rather than an idea? Do we treat it as a separate world from the one in which we live? After learning about Adventure Philosophy it sure seems like it! Adventure Philosophy (AP) is a group of three thirsty adventurists in search of venturing to the most outward bounds of our planet. They are driven by their own philosophy, which happens to strongly resemble and confirm Cronon's theory. However, although their idea incorporates the wild, they are merely focused on the notion of an adventure. Nonetheless, Adventure Philosophy's principles still mirror those of Cronon. 

In Cronon's article, The Trouble with Wilderness; or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature, he addresses the modern view of wilderness. Cronon claims people have designated certain areas of the world to be considered as wilderness. Therefore, individuals do not recognize the surroundings of their everyday life as the wild. Instead, the specific places that are identified as the wilderness are those that people refer to as pristine and "untouched" by man. Today the wilderness is perceived as a place where individuals can escape from the chaos of our urbanized world and "truly" connect with nature. But why can't people do this in the town in which they live? Why do they find it necessary to travel to a distant remote area to feel connected with nature? This is what Cronon believes to be the issue. According to Cronon, the modern view of wilderness is clearly distorted. Because people consider the wild as a physical place, rather than an idea, they are restricting themselves from acknowledging the wilderness that constantly exists around them. Here is a quote from Cronon to better understand his viewpoint: 

Wilderness gets us into trouble only if we imagine that this experience of wonder and otherness is limited to the remote corners of the planet, or that it somehow depends on pristine landscapes we ourselves do not inhabit. Nothing could be more misleading. The tree in the garden is in reality no less other, no less worthy of our wonder and respect, than the tree in an ancient forest that has never known an ax or a saw - even though the tree in the forest reflects a more intricate web of ecological relationships. 

Clearly Cronon acknowledges the difference between a tree in one's backyard and a tree in the forest; however, regardless of the minor differences, Cronon believes people should feel just as connected to the wilderness at home as they do in a pristine place. 

Mark Jones, a member of Adventure
Philosophy, has a deep rooted passion
for adventure in the wild. 

Similarly, Adventure Philosophy's notion of adventure coincides with Cronon's modern day theory of wilderness. AP believes individuals can experience a compelling adventure in the wild. But what about back home? Can people take on an adventure there, too? Cronon would most likely give AP a pat on the back for mentioning, in their philosophy, that people can find adventure by tackling a new pursuit in their daily lives (starting a new business, helping coach a kid's soccer team). However, the problem (in correlation to the problem of wilderness) is their focus on experiencing adventure in the wild. AP claims the best adventure is found within the limited access wilderness areas of our planet, or as they like to call them, "the crown jewels." They believe these valuable remote wilderness areas allow an individual's adventurous spirit to be set free. Marcus Waters, one of the adventurists, claims it is the emotional draw of wild places that lead him to adventure (similar to the proposed belief of Cronon's theory that wilderness' religious sentiments allow redemption). In addition, as a whole, AP believes that the adventure they are endowed with promotes and develops vital skills while also generating a passion for life. Therefore, AP considers an experience or adventure in pristine, wild places as a fundamental quality to life.

Evidently, this is the same problem Cronon addresses in his theory. People have placed a high importance on the areas of our planet that haven't undergone urbanization. They believe these places offer them experiences (otherness and adventure) that they cannot find elsewhere. Clearly Adventure Philosophy's view on adventure is a confirmation of Cronon's philosophy of the trouble with wilderness. 

AP's belief that the wilderness allows the beneficial aspects of an adventure to transpire verifies Cronon's ideology. As I have said, Cronon claims people view the wilderness as a physical existence rather than an idea. The designated areas that individuals have granted the title wilderness are the places that people believe will rid them of their troubles and grant them with peace and tranquility. Similarly, AP has philosophized that these same places individuals refer to as wilderness are the areas that one can experience adventure, as well as gain the advantageous qualities of it. Evidently AP defines the wild in the same way that Cronon believes people to. They interpret wilderness as the places that have limited access, therefore, the ones that have gone untouched by man. Additionally, AP's philosophy portrays their belief that this so-called wilderness offers individuals with an enthralling adventure that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Although their expeditions are incredibly inspiring, the same problem exists as the one with the trouble of wilderness. 

People lack to find wilderness in their day-to-day lives. They escape to Mother Nature's far off lands to find peace, discover themselves, and fuel the soul with a thrilling adventure. Although its great for people to display a desire to explore the world, it is also necessary for them to recognize the one around them. Individuals need to open their eyes to the little things in their modern lives. They need to discover the wilderness from the moment they walk outside their front door to the moment they shut it behind them. People must discover the many ways to feel connected to nature and experience an adventure without traveling into the wild. However, in order to do so, individuals must first revise their definition of wilderness. They must begin to understand wilderness as an idea rather than a physical place. Only then will AP and people discover the resolution to Cronon's problem; only then will they truly experience wilderness. What do you guys think? Does AP resemble and confirm Cronon's philosophy? I'd love to hear what you have to say!

"The time has come to rethink wilderness" - Cronon

One last closing note:

Check this picture out. Although it doesn't blatantly say anything in relation to Cronon or AP, I thought it had a similar underlying connotation with it. Read the quote and then take a look at the background. I feel as if it reiterates the problem of wilderness in a very unique sort of way. Personally, I felt as if the image implies that people are awake when they are in a pristine setting; a place that people would most likely consider the wilderness. Once again we find Cronon's theory being reconfirmed. Evidently, this picture depicts that individuals believe their best dreams occur when they are surrounded by nature.