E&T Chapter 3: Consuming Nature Flashcards
How would you describe “consumption?”
It involves monetary exchanges, reflects our personal choices and values, and gives us the ability to differentiate oneself from the crowd while gaining a sense of identity. High levels of consumption are a key cause to environmental problems.
Who is Thorstein Veblen?
An American sociology who observed the newly emerging wealthy middle class in America - noted in 1899. Coined the term ‘conspicuous consumption’
What is ‘conspicuous consumption’?
a term that explained how this new emerging ‘leisure class’ used consumption to differentiate themselves from the rest of society
Mowforth and Munt (2009) coined ‘habitus’ borrowed from the French Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. What does that mean?
That the types of tourism we participate in carry cultural symbols and meanings. The ability and inclination of individuals and social classes to adopt objects and practices that differentiate them from others in society
George Simmel said individuals have a need to preserve autonomy and individuality. What was he referring to, specifically?
the complexity of urban living and the need to filter out stimulation to a manageable level leads the individual to an ultimate sense of indifferent about the city environment
Boorstein (1961) said tourism is escapism. Why?
it’s nothing more than escapism from urban life, serving little purpose beyond mindless enjoyment
McConnell (1976) said tourism is a pilgrimage. Explain…
They said tourism is not for the purposes of escapism, but a pilgrimage of man and a quest for authenticity
What did Jean-Jacque Rousseau (1712-1778) say about the tourism industry, and nature at large? How did his views change it?
Humans need to reconnect to nature for heir psychological well-being. He saw in nature an authenticity that had become lost as society had become progressively ‘civilized.’
He wrote a novel called “Julie” that glamorized the mountains, which were previously seen as a place of fear with negative associations to wild animals, hardship and bandits.
Urry (1995) coined ‘the romantic tourist gaze,’ what does that mean?
a visual consumption of tourism - solitude, privacy and a personal, semi-spiritual relationship with their environment
What are the four types of experiences (Modes of interactions with nature) (environment as….)
a setting for action
social system
emotional territory
as self
Environment as a setting for action has what interpretation, behaviour and environmental attitudes?
Able to pursue specific recreational activities. An ambivalent relationship, little interest in learning, disregard for environmental codes, negative environmental consequences
Environment as a social system has what interpretation, behaviour and environmental attitudes?
Primarily to interact with friends and family.
Provides a backdrop and nothing else.
Environment as emotional territory has what interpretation, behaviour and environmental attitudes?
Offer a sense of well-being, personal development, deep-felt emotions.
Painting, poetry, or contemplative wonder.
Environment as self has what interpretation, behaviour and environmental attitudes?
Ceases to be detachable from the person. Any damage to the the environment is damage to the person, an ‘existential’ view.
Landscapes are authentic and beautiful, conserve the beauty and ecological diversity.
Think point: is the selling of vacations to kill seals environmentally and socially acceptable? Provide a justification of your argument for or against the selling of these vacations
Not dissimilar to the promotion of game hunting. This type of holiday is based on the aggressive instincts of tourists – raises ethical concerns over the non-human world and how we view it
Think point: thinking about the types of activities you like to participate in on vacation to what extent are they reliant upon nature? Referring to the typology of tourist experiences shown in box 3.2, how many have you experienced?
(personal answer) all of them.
What are the four types of tourists, based on their level of interest in the environment (Fig 3.1 page 65)
Top: specialist ecotourist
2nd: eco-aware tourist
3rd: users
Bottom: loungers
Who are ‘loungers’ as a type of tourist?
Low level of environmental commitment, emphasis placed on recreation and enjoyment. Ex – sunbathing, nightlife. Mass tourism market based on a model of the “three S’s - sand, sun and sea.”
Who are ‘users’ as a type of tourist?
Interested to an extent, pursuing activity, ex – skiers. Interested in the environment having the special feature of nature required for the type of holiday they wish to pursue. Human intrusion to this environment may also be permissible without it having a detrimental effect.
Who are ‘eco-aware’ as a type of tourist?
Interested in environment for its own value, not how it could be used. Ex – interest in wildlife viewing
Who are ‘specialist ecotourist’ as a type of tourist?
High environmental commitment, want to be involved with and protect nature – ex. conservation, scientific research.
Think point: is it right to kill or cull sharks for our own protection? Is it right to kill sharks to protect the tourism economy?
Western Australia: after shark attacks, they licensed the killing of sharks off its busiest beaches over concerns of the loss of human life and the threat of damage to the tourism economy. Permits fishermen to hint and kill sharks over 3m long within 1km of beaches.
If everything else has been tried, then yes to an extent - human life is valuable, and so is the nature of the ocean. Once it’s allowed, it needs to be contained.
Who was Henry Thoreau? (19th century) and what book did he publish?
Walden in 1854 after a two year stay in isolation at Walden Pond in his home state of Massachusetts. Talked about how nature is used for capitalism, and this was influential in the founding of the American environmental movement.
Who was Aldo Leopold (1886-1948) and what book did he write?
Wrote “A Sand County Almanac” calling for the need of a ‘land ethic.’ Viewed recreation and tourism as having a negative impact on wildlife and criticized the advertising that was inspiring access to nature in bulk and the consequence loss of opportunity for solitude
