Kyle Smith

Environmental Viewpoint

        When I was in sixth grade, I had probably one of the largest environmental inputs. I went to Outdoor School. Outdoor School is something that has definitely stuck with me, seeing as how I’ve gone back to be a counselor five times. The whole program of Outdoor School is more leaning toward ecocentric, I would say. It has shown me the joys of nature for what it is. It has also shown me how humans can interact with nature in a way that isn’t harmful to the environment, while we still gain things from it.

        I would say that, overall, I would be more anthropocentric than anything else. While I may be mainly anthropocentric, I do share some views with ecocentrics and technocentrics. I believe that, in some cases, nature should be preserved just because it deserves it be. On the other hand, I do believe that humans do have the capability, the mind power, the resources, and everything else that we need in order to advance technology that will assist our community. I suppose that is why I am in the middle; I have parts of both extremes. I believe both extremes lead to the well being of humans.

        One recent input and output I’ve had in terms of environmental values was just last weekend - when I went with my family to go get a Christmas tree. We went out to the farm of a guy that works with my dad to get the tree. My dad was joking around, saying things like “We’re tree killers!” and whatnot. While my dad may have been joking, it made me think. I don’t have a problem with cutting down trees in this fashion because it is of benefit to us - we get enjoyment out of the tree during the holiday season. I view this as anthropocentrism.

        During this event, when my dad was saying these things about the trees, I brought up this topic of environmental value systems that we’ve been discussing in class. Like most times I try to explain something I’m learning about in school to my family, it just confuses them. This is not necessarily because they don’t understand; it’s just that I can’t ever seem to explain a topic briefly. I always have to explain it in depth. So, I end up talking about the spectrum of beliefs and various other things about how different people view the environment for a good chunk of time and they understand it a little bit more than when I started.

        From what my family was saying about what I was talking about, specifically my dad, I think I gained a little bit of insight into what their beliefs are. My dad, I think, is sort of an anthropocentrist leaning toward technocentrism. He is a salesman for an equipment rental company, so I believe this could be an input into his more technocentric views. He may not be the most technologically advanced guy (he got an iPhone for work about a month ago, and he still has things he’s trying to figure out how to do every day), but whenever he reads something about a technological advancement he is really in awe about what humans can do. He oftentimes shares the article or topic with me and we discuss it. I believe he thinks that people are the most important part, but that technology created by humans will allow us to survive.

        So, overall, I have anthropocentric views that lean toward ecocentric. I don’t fit perfectly into this model because I also have some views from the other aspects as well. There are constantly things that happen in life that are an input for me. I try to be an output as much as I can; sharing my views with people and people sharing their views with me is the only way I will ever broaden my perspectives on any topic.