TFY Chapter 1

Summary

This chapter delves into gathering information through observation. Daniel Scudder’s essay on looking at fish advocates that an individual takes one’s own time to make a full observation. Student Naom Manor describes his own experience of observing an apple at length. However I was not particularly impressed, since he added nothing to my understanding of apples. Nor did Kenneth Wong impress me in describing a plastic spoon. Something more challenging is in order, perhaps observing an unknown object and its possible uses. Sensing, thinking and perceiving are defined, with an optical illusion shown to illustrate how the three work together. Discomfort leads to disequilibrium, which is resolved through thinking, leading to a sense of power. Dorr Bothwell explains eloquently how preconceived notions can color our perceptions and Edward Abbey shows the link between observation and survival.

Exercises

1. How do the observation skills protect the writer in this situation?

The writer’s observation skills help him avoid a rattlesnake bite.

2. How does he combine his knowledge of animals together with his observation skills to anticipate future problems?

He understands that mice attract rattlesnakes and that diamondbacks may appear.

3. How do you suppose he uses his observation and imagination in order to find a solution to his problem?

He has seen that the gopher snake is an enemy of the rattlesnake and can keep rattlesnakes away.

4. Why do suppose he does not consider poisoning and trapping the mice or shooting the rattlesnakes one by one?

It is his duty to protect and preserve the life of the park.

5. What values doe he hold – and what aversions does he lack – that would enable him to enjoy this solution?

He does not believe in killing animals himself – he would rather kill a man – but believes that nature can handle the problem for him.