A Common Ground for the Extremes

Both deep ecology and ‘Into the Wild’ are extreme in their field.  Deep ecology represents a radical environmental viewpoint; and ‘Into the Wild’ depicts a young man’s escape from the life box he felt he was trapped in. 

            Alex Supertramp, as he dubbed himself, grew up in a very affluent home.  He followed the traditional life path for many men his age.  He graduated from high school with good grades and soared through college.  Upon graduation he fled to the unknown.  Jumping from state to state, he befriended homeless people and old men to survive.  There was more than anger and rebellion that was driving him to establish this new life.  He was trying not to be found!

It is clear that Pojman and Pojman find humor and little validity to deep ecology.  Described as ‘an ideological toxic dump’ (167), the meaning in the title deep ecology seems to undermine everything environmentalism stands for.  The vocabulary used to describe the philosophy is extreme.  They describe famines as ‘nature’s population control’ and argue against immigration into the United States as to ‘protect our ecological resources’ (167).    

Reading about deep ecology reminded me of the speaker we had on campus last week.  She criticized environmentalism.  “I have a real problem with environmentalism because you portray such a strong hatred for the human race”, she said.  I hesitate to even say this but I think deep ecology is the type of environmentalism Ann has a problem with; and for the matter, I do too!  I have a problem with a theory that magnifies the destruction by humans on the Earth.  Deep ecology lessens the superiority of humans (169).  However, Pojman hits the nail on the head when they point out a hole in deep ecology – the failure to account for the ‘social nature’ of humans.  We are products of the relationships we make – something most animal species cannot form.  I could see Alexander Supertramp as a deep ecologist.  He enters the wild to become one with nature.  The culmination of his life represents a tie between deep ecology and ‘Into the Wild’.  Nature took its course and Alexander Supertramp was taken home.