Mankind and Nature are One

Throughout much of human existence, mankind has tried to dominate nature by imposing human-created-value. Humans have developed measurements to calculate the value of nature; whether that is trees, rivers, mountains, ponds, oceans, and/or strategic locations (to name a few). We have become fascinated with acquiring a grip on nature and it even extends to the point of going to war in order to acquire those natural resources.  However, nature is more than an arbitrated value; nature was before us and will inevitably remain after us. So, then why are we fixated on dominating nature when it is obvious that nature is above mankind? I think mankind struggles with accepting that something such as nature can actually be above the human rational being. If anything, we should humble ourselves and submit to nature's awesomeness and try to preserve it. Director and writer, Werner Herzog, shows a glimpse of this humbling effect in his documentary Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010). In this documentary, Werner brings raw nature, way before what we consider civilization, to the viewer by showing what I call primitive synchronization of mankind and nature.

Herzog captures primitive synchronization of mankind and nature in the the oldest known cave paintings, some 32,000 years ago. In this cave, paintings of animals and hunters were drawn by primitive humans. Though the reasons for drawing these paintings are unofficial, one can speculate reasons why humans would want to leave basic drawings of animals and hunters. I think Ralph Waldo Emerson, brings valuable insight into the reasons for why man would want to leave their footprint on earth. In his essay Nature, Emerson says:

"The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence. Nature never wears a mean appearance. Neither does the
wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her perfection. Nature never became a toy to a wise spirit."

Emerson is pointing out that nature is mysterious and always present but inaccessible to the human rationale. Like nature, the cave paintings show how these primitive humans are mysterious and so similar to us but inaccessible to our understanding and this is what I mean about synchronization. In this documentary, the modern man is observing ancient mankind as nature. This synchronization is difficult to grasp for the modern intellect because we seek to separate and place ourselves above nature. But as seen in the paintings, mankind and nature have lived together for so long that they are one. Humans need nature to survive just as much as nature needs mankind to survive. How so you might think? If humans were not around to admire the awesomeness of nature, then would nature exist? How would one know that nature existed? Nature requires someone to perceive it because without it then nature does not exist.

This synchronization is worth explaining because it puts into focus the need for mankind to preserve the very thing that is keeping it alive. Emerson says, "not the sun or the summer alone, but every hour and season yields its tribute of delight; for every hour and change corresponds to and authorizes a different state of the mind, from breathless noon to grimmest midnight." Here Emerson is celebrating the necessity of nature. Mankind requires all of nature to work in order to survive. Nature is more than the sun that brings forth light and the nutrients required for plants and trees and other organisms to survive, nature is a system with naturally occurring parts that each work for everything to continue to function.

As seen, nature and mankind have a special bond that requires both to exist in order for each to exist. Not only is man dependent of nature but nature dependent of man. Werner ultimately shows humans displaying their synchronization by painting animals and hunters together, showing that mankind and nature are one.