Response to "Nature At The Mall" [B]

I agree with Jennifer Price's statement that we, as human beings, have become separated from nature. She talks a lot about the fact that these "nature" stores have been placed in places that have nothing to do with nature and are far removed from it, like the gigantic Mall of America. "The Nature Company has billed itself as your direct connection to the natural world. But the stores connect us not so much to what nature is as to what nature means: they tap the powerful, meaningful routes by which we use nature to define who we are, and with which we have navigated late-twentieth century American life." [Price Pg. 174] In no way does the Nature Company directly connect anyone to the natural world itself, it more connects people to aspects of nature that they are either too lazy or too ignorant or busy to explore for themselves. Yes, it is a nice way to connect those who are not in touch with nature to nature, but what are we really doing? We are marketing natural aspects of the world for a higher profit to benefit world consumerism. This actually sickens me a little. Yes, I will have to admit that I have gone into these stores to see what kinds of goods they offer, but in no way do I connect these nature stores with nature itself. I believe that if one wants to really explore nature and see what it's all about, one has to go INTO nature itself and see what it is, create one’s own meaning of nature. I think that it is sad that those who can't experience nature directly associate these stores with nature itself.