Thank you for this commentary Anthony. I remember the powerful impact the story of Christian the lion had on me. As humans we have a tendency to distance ourselves from the wild when we are truly a part of it. These stories remind us of our kinship.
Fascinating piece, Anthony. I loved H is for Hawk. I wonder if the trend can be partly explained by the ubiquity of our human relationships (good, bad, and indifferent) and the relative rarity of our relationships with wild animals. We like to read about things we’re less likely to experience or have never have experienced. Interesting post. Thank you.
Thanks Terry. I think you're right. Being city dwellers doesn't lend itself to much interaction with wild animals, other than squirrels, raccoons, coyotes and the random possum. But I think about the great escape a few years back of the capybaras from the High Park Zoo. We collectively rooted for them. And I think you are right—we read about things that we're less likely to read about are in awe when someone does have that connection and chronicles the experience. We live vicariously through others. I also think, and I didn't mention it that in this crazy and upturned world where freedoms and basic human rights are being stomped on . . . we yearn for a kind of wild freedom that allows us to live the lives we peacefully want to lead.
Thank you for this commentary Anthony. I remember the powerful impact the story of Christian the lion had on me. As humans we have a tendency to distance ourselves from the wild when we are truly a part of it. These stories remind us of our kinship.
It's as simple as that. Yes, kinship. Makes me want to go back in and edit the piece.
Fascinating piece, Anthony. I loved H is for Hawk. I wonder if the trend can be partly explained by the ubiquity of our human relationships (good, bad, and indifferent) and the relative rarity of our relationships with wild animals. We like to read about things we’re less likely to experience or have never have experienced. Interesting post. Thank you.
Thanks Terry. I think you're right. Being city dwellers doesn't lend itself to much interaction with wild animals, other than squirrels, raccoons, coyotes and the random possum. But I think about the great escape a few years back of the capybaras from the High Park Zoo. We collectively rooted for them. And I think you are right—we read about things that we're less likely to read about are in awe when someone does have that connection and chronicles the experience. We live vicariously through others. I also think, and I didn't mention it that in this crazy and upturned world where freedoms and basic human rights are being stomped on . . . we yearn for a kind of wild freedom that allows us to live the lives we peacefully want to lead.