In Henry David Thoreau’s book Walden, he writes about the principles and philosophies that enable a person to live a better life. In the second chapter of Walden, Where I Lived and What I Lived For, Thoreau tells his story about the many places that he had tried to settle down. Most of them were large estates and farms. When he finally found Walden Pond it was his perfect place to be. For many this would not be the case that we would want to live so far from society, but according to Thoreau this helped him detach from the world around him. He finally concludes that it is “as long as possible” to “live free and uncommitted.” He starts his building project on Walden Pond. Even though it is simple it symbolizes his own conquest of being. He is truly trying to be one with nature itself.
One example of this could be found in Stephen J. Dubner’s New York Times article, What is the Future of Suburbia? There are many different opinions relating to this inquiry. Many people were asked why they would move to the suburbs. The most prominent answer was to get away from the busyness of the city. People also wonder what will happen to the suburbs in the next forty years if the cities keep expanding. Some say that they will be wealthy and white. Others say that there will be more ethnic diversity. The price of living will increase and all the money would go to the government and others say that it all depends. Within all these different conflicting views of this particular issue, Thoreau successfully separated himself from society. Some may see this as a poor decision, but in doing this he was able to better himself by seeking out the true meaning of life.
Another way that people are trying to live with nature is through reusing the resources that they have. In the New York Times article, A Year Without Toilet Paper, it outlines how a couple in a city environment are able to live comfortably without extravagant non-necessary things. In the article there is an allusion to Walden Pond, which is where Thoreau lived two years of his life. Even though this couple is part of civilization they are doing their best not to leave their carbon footprint on the earth. They only eat organic food that is grown within a hundred miles and also do not drive a car to commute to and from work. For some this may be extreme, but for these people it was just a matter of a lifestyle change. They are trying to help our planet and keep it green and healthy. Although they have not had as dramatic of an effect on society that Thoreau did they are certainly doing their part to be in harmony with nature. Thoreau’s principles illustrate the ideal and therefore are not easily carried out. Those who do try are just bettering themselves to deal with the everyday challenges that lie before them.
