Nature vs. Technology

It is no secret that us, humans, are always plugged in and always have the newest, “greatest” technology. Recently, I have read A Walk in the Woods, written by Bill Bryson, as well as watched the movie rendition of the novel. A Walk in the Woods, written by Bill Bryson. With no outdoor experience, Bryson originally planned on hiking the entire 2,200-mile trail in one season, starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. Bryson enlists his childhood friend, Stephen Katz to accompany him on his trek. The book documents the duos’ journey on the trail. 

My boyfriend and I went one Sunday afternoon to see the movie rendition of the book. At the conclusion of the movie, I was ready to hike the trail (with Bryson and Katz in the novel, of course) and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I thought the actors the producers choose did an amazing job portraying the characters. Also, the fly-over scenes were breath-taking. I disappointed in the unrealistic green screening demonstrated. My boyfriend, who I went to see the movie with, reminded me that it might not be possible to bring a crew and equipment on to the trail on step cliffs. But with technology and advances in the movie industry, I felt the producers could have pick a different place on the trial, a different location, or a better green screening background!

I read and finished the novel of the course of the following couple days. I laughed at some parts, imagining specific scenes in which were included within the movie rendition. However, at the conclusion of the novel, I felt disappointed and highly ticked that the film version had a different ending than the novel. I felt the book offered information about the history of the trail where as the movie rendition was geared towards the comedy seen within the covers of the novel. I feel like those whom will not read and will simply see the movie rendition will miss out on the significant depth Bryson spends talking about specific issues with American culture, technology. 

            

One of the specific issues Bryson spoke to was technologies enclosing on the until recently “off the grid” culture of the Appalachian Trail. In A Walk in the Woods, Bryson begins describing a situation in which he comes in contact with another hiker whom was carrying a handheld electronic device in which he was taking mysterious readings of the sky or landscape. Bryson instead expresses his hate of technology he has found on the Appalachian trail and how now hikers are traveling with laptop computers and modems to communicate daily reports back to their friends and family. Technology is very much prevalent more so in today’s society compared to when Bryson traveled the trail. Our society has a difficult time going off the grid, always checking into social media.

I find myself checking social media when I am out. When I am among nature, however, I will gladly take pictures of nature around me. It is difficult, particularly, for my generation to go off the grid. However, nature should be observed through the naked eye and not through the lenses of the latest and greatest smartphone.

Round Two. Nature vs. Technology. Who will come out on top?

Source: Bryson, Bill. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. New York: Broadway, 1998. Print.