Blog 4 - Improvement in naturalness

"Improvement in the naturalness of the area could occur . . ." (Ecospeak 173).

Federal rules, regulations, handbooks, and forms often manage to obfuscate discourse by using passive verbs and styled language that obscures meaning for those on whom the rules and regulations are imposed. It seems states readily follow suit. Like Newspeak in Orwell's 1984, an attempt is made to insure compliance to the regulations by those in utilization of said land. Those who don't comply even without knowing or understanding, tend to have their lands removed "legally" by the likes of Thomas Catron, land developers, and the State.

Resistance, however, is not futile. An action seemingly as simple as kicking open an irrigation gate (Milagro Beanfield War), creating a fable that points out the damage done by chemicals applied to the land (Silent Spring), engaging nonhuman organisms using language more common to humans [than does govspeak] (Sand County Almanac), creating works of art depicting the beauty of the land and of nonhuman life forms (Off the Map), working for the integrity of the Pueblo or land grant, or ripping up a parking strip in favor of xeriscaping in areas where lawn is mandated are acts of resistance that must be considered as important to discourse.

On another note--Jorge Cham published a field journal about research at NMSU concerning development of strains of chilis for different purposes such as disease resistance and hotness. Go to www.phdcomics.com and check out the September 27th edition. Note the corporate food reference as a component of the research.