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Week 11 [13.01- 19.01.2020] Living in the wilderness for a better world

Nowadays we’re beginning to struggle with climate change, wildfires in Australia are the newest example of it. People are realising that there is a problem and we will have to face it, whether we like it or not. There are many protests happening around the world in order to draw attention to the environmental degradation, but there are also individuals, who collect data showcasing the changes. Billy Barr from Colorado is one of those people and the video presented below shows someone who is not just passively protesting, but is doing something to convince others, that the threat is real and is already happening.




Questions:

1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?

2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?

3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?

Comments

Cem Ates said…
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?
No, he looks like he loves it, but as a grown up technology user leaving a phone for a minute even makes you stressed so it's pretty obvious that living with no social environment technologically or normally should be tougher for the persons like me.
2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?
Hunting.Fishing.Skying. Idk it's an hard question mate, never thought about it before.
3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?
There was a deeper meaning. This person has no meaningful sign of life in the city life or he is just loving being all alone.
Roman Dubovyi said…
1. I would not. The only way I will live in a wooden house with no people in the 5 km radius is if it’s on the warm island with the access to the ocean where I can surf and fish. And even then I would have a car, a phone with internet and accessible shop.

2. I was on this island I talked about I would exercise, surf and probably paint. That’s for a free time. I also would have to fish, harvest wood and work on the remote IT job.

3. For him - yes. Of course he has depth in his thoughts. But no matter what, if you do such things you are probably crazy or desperate. Or both.
Maciej P s16488 said…
It depends what exactly do you ask for. If you ask cold 9-month winter in the mountain's shack then defenitely not. If you ask if I'd like to live without electricity on my own in spartan-like conditions, then my answer again is no.
But if you ask me wheter I'd enjoy living in solitude with nature around me, while i peacefuly live my life, then it would seem quite appealing.
I like nature and spending week or two at this kind of place would be a great thing but being used to all conveniences around me i get too comfortable to spend a life in a shack. There are a lot of things I'd miss like most obvious - family and friends.
I'd spent my time on securing my safety, then I'd try to fix things around me in a way to make them more convenient for me, like eg. dig a kind of basement with ice, where i could store food or something.
I find last question tendentious. It is hard to say there was no meaning if you ask it that way. In my opinion the most obvious meaning behind was - we are destroying our climate. You could also try to think about stuff how life satisfaction is personal thing which varies a lot and you don't have to pursue dreams from tv or facebook or that solitude might be enjoyable and we all are different - but i think this snapshot of a reportage's meaning was rather simply about climate.
1. It has a lot of charms. but life like that in a permanent way is not for me at least not at the moment. It would certainly be good to have opportunity to live this way, for example, for three months.

2. I would certainly be involved in logging wood and animals. In general, it seems to me that there is a lot of work in such a situation. A lot depends on whether I would have the tools or not.

3. It certainly has. I think it's a little different for everyone. Space, nature and simple life always make us think about how we live. I also think that each of us has an attachment to nature. This changes into considerations regarding the sense of our problems.
1. This could be an interesting experience, but certainly not for that long. Loneliness and lack of access to technology for such a long time can be very depressing.

2. Now it may be hard to imagine, but not so long ago many people lived in a similar way. I would stay busy, worrying about where to get the food from and spend time with my relatives making bonfire and protecting the house.

3. You have to be crazy to live alone for so long. I think this person might have been just sick. Whatever the intention is, it is an escape from reality.
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?

I don't think I would be able to give up everything I have now and spend the rest of my life in the wild. I am too used to the current civilization and the technology around me.

2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?

If I had to live like this I would definitely have to find something to do. I would probably try to get food, take care of my surroundings and in my free time read books and maybe do some handicraft work.

3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?

This story definitely has a deeper message. It shows that a man who devotes his whole life to testing the condition of our planet has noticed that something is wrong. We have to start acting otherwise it might be too late.
Thank you for your answer. Although it could be a great opportunity to have a little detox from the technology, which would enable someone to view life from a different perspective. Survival skills can come in handy and be beneficial for our imagination.
That's a really awesome place to imagine and passions, like surfing and painting are interesting. It's great that you'd combine your free time and work. Maybe he's not crazy or desperate, because not everyone can adjust to the new reality and prefer this simple lifestyle.
Thank you for your answer. Maybe living in these harsh conditions would make us cherish what we have now and be thankful for all the conveniences provided by the technology. It's obvious that you have some basic knowledge about surviving in the wilderness. I 100% agree with you on the third question and it's true that everyone is different and wants various things in life.
Thanks for your reply. It would be a great idea to live in conditions like this just for a little while to see whether we enjoy it or not. I think that having or not having the tools wouldn't change that much since you have survival instinct. Everyone has a different approach to what's valuable in life.
Maybe lack of technology would enable us to reset our body and feel more free, not constantly attached to phones or computers. Regarding the second questions, it's interesting to see how fast the world is changing, especially compared to what people had houndred or thousand years ago. Not everyone was made for the current world and fast-paced life and find it hard to adjust to it.
Take into consideration that once in a while it would be nice to leave the civilised world in order to reset and have moment to reflect on the present moment. It's important to keep yourself occupied with various activities not to loose your mind and not to put your mental health at risk. I also agree that something has to be done to stop the environmental degradation, because our planet is dying.
Kyrylo said…
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?
I lived my childhood on a farm, never happening again. This has only made me be a child of civilization stronger than ever.
2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?
I would probably die, judging by all the surviving skills I possess.
3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?
Probably something about escaping noise of the megalopolises, and people, but in reality -- many people successfully escape others even when living in multi million populated city giants.
I like snow and winter so i would like to live somewhere with snow and forest, on the other hand one must extremly in peasce with himself to bear the loneliness. I do not if i am ready fir that or if i have the right type of character. I wouldn't be able to live so for long. In my opinion the wilderness itself is enough to keep you occupied. I believe that there is always a deeper meaning for people who choose to live like this. and the meaning is for the to know, for us to guess.
There's no way I can live in these conditions. I'm a man who appreciates the progress and discovery of mankind. I love noise, big cities, technological and architectural wonders, which obviously doesn't mean I don't like wildlife. It's hard to say what I would do in such a situation, but I think the time spent watching Bear Grylls would not be in vain. For me everyone has the right to do what they want to do and if he believes in contributing in some way to the fight against climate change it's okay, for me this movie doesn't make any deeper sense.
Yurii Gevtsi said…
Of course, I already planned to spend my old age in a similar way. Maybe somewhere in Australia or Africa, but with one difference, I would do a more useful thing than collecting data on snow and weather. Most likely I would voluntarily work in some kind of nature reserve and monitor the animals, would make my contribution to the restoration of extinct species.

As a child, I spent a lot of time in the forest and often stayed there with a tent. To survive in the wild there are three basic rules:
- first of all, you need to find a source of water
- secondly, find or make shelter and make fire
- and the third find the source of food or the paths along which animals walk
I can advise a couple of good programs on this topic "Marooned with Ed Stafford", "Man vs. Wild" and one film based on the real story "Into the Wild"

In this video there is a reference to climate change and global warming, but after all, why spend so many years on it for everyone has long been known. Everyone knows about this, but the majority don’t give a damn , the rich and powerful who don’t give a damn about everything that doesn't bring them money, also to regular people and the poor because what can a simple teacher do against a multi-millionaire with many factories?
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?
Very willing for some time. I dream of going far abroad to live in Spartan conditions for some time just to see how such people, for example in Mongolia, live.

2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?
I think that I could handle it, it would be nice if I had a small alternative, such as the ability to paint pictures or very close contact with animals.

3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?
Hmm .... I think we should just see that there are values ​​other than money in life and that we should be compatible with each other and with nature.
Zygmunt Z said…
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?

For some time yes, it would give me an idea how these people live and appreciate how easy my everyday life is.

2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?

At first it would be really hard for me to accommodate and find any occupancies but I think that after some time it would not be a problem for me. I am a very flexible person.

3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?

I think that the deeper meaning is that this person likes living alone and living in a huge agglomeration would be hard for him right now.
1. I would not like to live in such conditions as this man. It's not my lifestyle to follow. I like to keep everything simple and close, instead of isolating myself away from everything

2. If it was a civilized house with tv or anything, then i would just sit in my warm house and watch tv. Otherwise i think i would die because of boredom.

3. I heard about mayn people that chose the life simmilar to this man. For some people life like this is much more interesting, requires much more involevemnt and you make everything by yourself. It may be engaging for some people
1. I myself often go to the wilderness and cut myself off from civilization, it's cool in my opinion and you can rest.
2. I used to teach survival classes myself, so first I would take care of food and shelter.
3. I think he was about the philosophy of this lifestyle.
Jakub Kisiała said…
1. I don't want to live like that. It is rather a very tiring life.
2. I would probably try to construct something.
3. I didn't feel any deeper message.
1. Absolutely. I hate loud big cities. I would love to live in calm forest with animals with no huge technology inventions and crowds. I also prefere cold climat.

2. I would go for a walk everyday. Also i would love to take care of my surrounding area to know it the best i can. Not to mention protecting house, grabbing wood to keep my house warm and prepare food.

3. It just shows that people can survive in the wild and find peace in general. It also shows that we are destroying our planet and how fast world changes to the point we won't be able to reverse all of these changes.
Mykola Suprun said…
1) No, I'm way too attached to the conveniences brought by technology and civilization. For a little while, though, I would probably like it, and by little, I mean about half a day.
2) I would try to build something that would make my life a little bit more convenient. Besides that, I really like fishing.
3) I guess it shows that life in a modern city as convenient as it is, is not something humans used to live for most of our history, and for some people, it can be simply unbearable.
1. I spend a few vacations is similar, maybe a little less harsh, conditions. My friend has a shack in the woods with a proper well and the reminds of other buildings. The only objective was to gather woods for the fire and managing the food resources. I find this kind of primal vacation extremely relaxing.

2. Computer games :) But seriously, I would hope to have some tools for sculpting. I'm fascinated by it and for now, I'm trying to create some items from concrete. It would be awesome to have time for this hobby and tried myself in other materials.

3. Obviously. In contrary to the other comments I don't believe this man is crazy. For some extraverts, it's hard to understand that one can be so tired of constant conversation that it is worse than no contact at all. I also think that the devotion of this man is admirable. I would, probably, not go to this extreme, however, I appreciate people like him.
1. What do you think about the Digital government in Estonia?
I think the Estonian government is going in the right direction. We are also heading in this direction, although to a much smaller and slower degree. To be honest, I'm surprised that I didn't know it was already implemented in Estonia.

2. Do you think this can be implemented in your country? Or maybe already is implemented?
Of course, I think it would be possible to introduce a digital government to our country. However, do we really need it? Well. Maybe this will happen.

3. Can you think of any disadvantages/advantages of this?
The disadvantage may be viruses or low skills of those in power in our country who will not be able to cope with the system. Savings, in the long run, can be an advantage.
Kristina Moroz said…
If I would ever try to live in such conditions it wouldn't last long. I love everything that gives us evolution, of course in reasonable quantities. There are plenty of thing which won't damage earth and be useful for us. And if I would be forced to stay in wilderness for a long time I'd try to do everything to stay alive. Even though I think even a week could change every person. It would be like a vaccine to understanding how we are lucky.
dominik.samsel said…
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?
I think I rate my cozyness and life in comfort to much to be able live like that. It would be hard to get used to this way of life.

2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?
I think it depends of circumstances. I have always found these kind of situations great oppurtunities to read more, but I'm not sure if there will be a single book in my sight then. I think I'll do my best to stay alive.

3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?

I think it has, it's not just another perspective of person who's showing how is it to live among wilderness. I think it also show us how high-paced our world become. Maybe we should stop for a minute and change our directions.
Mehmet KONUK said…
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?
Why not. Experience is as much as human. I really wish I could try and experience
2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?
I love nature very much. I often go to the camp. Of course, the places I go may not be so difficult. I would do my best to establish a shelter for myself and provide my orderly and pleasant life in the fastest way.
3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?
Life is good! Great video . I appreciate your words on the hardships and slowing down. Years back I had to keep 4 cords of wood on hand as my only source of heat, so much easier when you have all summer/fall to get it. Kito looks happy in his environment, as do you. Thanks for sharing.
1. At this point, as we are adults and we live in the times of modern technologies that we use on a daily basis, it would be very difficult to give it up and change our lives completely. I think that at this moment I am not ready for such changes.
2. It depends where I would have to be alone in the woods or in the mountains or on a desert island. It all depends on the circumstances. I think that because of boredom and the lack of an internet phone or other amenities, a person must do something to not go crazy.
3. Of course, the film had 2 messages - about living alone and about the fact that we should change our behavior and take care of and respect the environment and nature at all costs, because the changes that are taking place are irreversible and have negative consequences.
I smiled when I was reading your answers. Maybe you should learn some basic skills of survival becouse dieing is not the best way. So you are saying that living in a countryside is not for you, so enjoy the big city life :)
Maybe you should try to live in places far away from city for sometime. Bring your friends with you and see how you can adapt to these hard life conditions.
I can say that time spent with Bear Grylls is very profitable for your imagination and your survival skills. I know that the program with him was showing the hardest conditions you can imagine. So if you are a city guy just enjoy time spent in cities.
I see that you are prepared for stay in the bush and survive there. We never know when such skills can help us. I totally agree with you that alone we can do nothing. Multi-millionaires should show others that together we can do amaizing things. I hope that you will find a beatiful place in Australia or Africa.
Ivan Mazuryk said…
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?
I would try to servive, not to live, for a short time. This would be a good expiriance and a change to reset yourself. When you live for a long time in a big city you start to forget that the human is a part of nature and each of us has to spend a little more time with it.

2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?
First of all I hope this will never happen. But this depends for the place and time a lot. If it is the island or the forest or the desert, winter or summer and so on. I can not answer this question properly.

3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?
Sure, I wrote a little in first answer, be good with the nature, treat good about the surrounding world and it will treat well about you.
s15740 said…
Now I will prefer to live in big city. Because it is more social as town or village or wilderness). But maybe when I`ll become older (I hope I shall), I will choose such way of live far from everything. When you are alone everything depends on you and your skills. And of course responsibility will be only yours, and no one else except you will be blamed. Good way of thinking. Clear mind which is filled not with heavy and similar thoughts from our everyday routine. But now I`m choosing to load myself with different ‘missions’, to collect ‘bonuses’ while I`m young. I need more information about this world, to become ready for such extremal decision – to live in wilderness. The main thing is to understand your decision, why you are doing this and for what purposes. If I`m doing something for somebodies eyes to pay attention on some problem and in same time trying to run away from civilization – sounds illogical. But its only my opinion.
We have already spoiled this perfectly balanced biosystem, there is no way to rollback changes, and we, pests, should be in response for this.
So you should try going in place with hard condiotions to live. Nowadays there are many options to do it and there are many destinations where you can go. I agree that most people see only the money and they forget about our planet and people that live with us.
I agree that we forget about how easy our life is. Living in such conditions should show how life was hard in the past. Not everybody can accommodate to big city life and that is beatiful that everyone is different.


1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?

Totally no. I don't like the cold, I don't like to be isolated and I don't like to do the very monotonic job. He looks a little bit confused and lost and I don't what to spend all my years like this.

2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?

It depends on where would I stay, which things I would have with me and so on. But I don't like when someone forces me to do something, so I would probably try to run away.

3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?

I think it was a little bit deeper than just a story of an old man, who lives alone. I think there was a message, that we should protect our nature, we should change our consumers' behavior and be more environmentally friendly.
No, I don’t think so that I would enjoy living in environment presented in video. I like the luxury of living in the city, I like to have shops near by and to have internet and all technological devices with me. So, living outside our modern world would not fit me at all. If I were alone in wilderness for a long time, I would probably be occupied all the time. If you are totally alone, you have to take care of everything on your own. So, things like getting water or food to even stay alive would take me a lot of time. But I also need place to live and I need to keep it warm. While living alone I think there are enough challenges that it is impossible to get bored. Well, I’m sure that he had some deeper thoughts and he did it on a purpose so for him it was probably meaningful but for me I don’t see it. I can not possibly imagine how hard it has to be to live in such conditions.
1. Would you like to live in conditions presented in the video? Why / why not?
I have seen this video before and was totally shocked by the life of this man. Reaplying to your question: no I don't want even try to live in suck conditions, it's too cold, too lonely and too uncomfortable for me.
2. If you were forced to stay alone in the wilderness for a long time, how would you keep yourself occupied?
First of all, I would take a tent, some kitchen staff and provision, sleeping bag, warm clothes and album, brushes and paint to not to go crazy.
3. Was the video just about living alone in the woods or was there a deeper meaning to this story? If yes, what was it?
For sure, yes. It shows how we can live in harmony and respect with nature not harming it. Living such a life bring peace in your soul. People who don't need any communication wouldn't have any stress. But for me it is too lonely life, I cannot live without communication with people.

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