Chat & Social > The Bar - General Chat

Does a 4wd get you closer to nature?

<< < (2/4) > >>

robkav:
I allways feel closer to nature when i'm lying under my car and covered in wet mud  :lol:

kevinragman:
 :lol: :lol:

andyhubbard:
Well said Mangaroth and Lambert, what i would say is you have both sides of the story put in a simple and honest manner. :)

carbore:
Hello, I think the answer to the main question depends on the individual. Some 4x4 purchases were in the "aspirational product" wherbey we buy things that reflect the lifestyle we WANT to lead, no the one we do. Hence urban 4x4 owners who dreamed of kite surfing/rock climbing/country ramble weekends etc and their 4x4 was a psychological "link" to that activity.

This is no different to those who ware ultra performance snow boarding jackets down the pub, or have divers watches that only ever see the washing up bowl . Obviously other purchases are simple practical considerations.

My main interest for this type of work is the difference in attitudes between those living in the Countryside and those living in the City. I work in London but live on a farm in Cornwall (Cos there is no jobs in Cornwall for the likes of me!). I notice that the attitudes of my colleagues in London to the countryside and environment is different (and that reported in the London media is VERY different) to that of rural people and rural media.

National TV is (in my mind) HIGHLY responsible for this. Rural lifestyles are portrayed as idyllic where as city is all "hard luck, no opportunity" Look at how rural people are portrayed in TV (Think Vicar of Dibley, Doc Martin, Green Green Grass) we are allays either Rich&Posh or Backward Bumpkins. Even rural programs such as Countryfile and My Dream Farm, River Cottage. Show an idylic myth. No farmers committing suicide, battling regulation and having armies of people telling them what to NOT do,  its all "Donwsizing to the countryside" (And living off that 2m capital form 10 years in the city). I get people asking Where the nearest tube is and what bus route am I on!

Quick rant,

 

didiman:
Wow! really impressed with what people have said so far. Probably the best thought out comments as well. I don't know if I'm allowed to say this although I can't see that it's biasing anyone, I'm just so fed up with wading through comments about 'crapping in the woods' being as close to nature as they get.

Its also great that people other than ecologists and biologists are doing the survey (not that I'm ungrateful to them) and commenting as well. Although the results will be adjusted to filter that out the more people who aren't from the an 'interested' area the more informative the picture we'll get.

I think its a really interesting although broad ranging topic and could go in so many different directions. As was mentioned the rose tinted view of the countryside as being not the way its represented needs to be addressed.

This is purely a personal reflection but as the economy changes to a more fluid and abstract form, the countryside as a physical space is being utilised for more things  in the imagination, a place to fight battles (paintballing) with colleagues and team building or to jump over on BMX bikes etc. I am guessing, but I imagine that there is some sort of battle for posession/'ownership' of the natural environment/the countryside. Is it simply about following the money, agriculture is now coming back due to higher crop prices so maybe there's more of a clash.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page