Reflections on the American Mindscape
Perspectives from revisiting the grandeur and gore of American expansion
America is large and in-charge within the confines of its own borders. But from the outside looking in, it’s a mess.
I’ve spent the last 30 years monitoring the calamitous demise of the United States from a far away perspective. During my long summer visit back home, it is apparent that their is little connectivity to the outside world.
There’s too much competition for American eyeballs and too many choices to entice consumers to pursue food and games. It takes extra work to be aware of what’s going on in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip or any other foreign land boondoggle.
I don’t blame Americans for their lack of interest; it’s a good, busy lifestyle that absorbs all your time due to its abundance.
Native Plants, Foreign Invaders
Joshua Tree National Park is an ecological anomaly. It is a survivor. It is worthy of special treatment.
As a signature species that marks the Mojave Desert ecosystem, the Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is said to take its name from early Mormon settlers seeking passage through the desert.
A Joshua tree can live up to several hundred years. That’s a remarkable feat for a 50-foot tall tree exposed to such a harsh, hostile climate. It also has to fend off wildfires, invasive grasses and poor seed distribution by birds and ground animals.
Spread out on the flip side of the San Bernardino Mountains, Joshua Tree is the barren backyard of the Los Angeles megalopolis. The juxtaposition of masses of people crawling in traffic jams against the serene terrain of juniper, yucca, oak and pinyon pine is a jolt to your natural senses.
The park is so otherworldly that it seems out of place. But in truth, it is native, it is original. All the concrete, highways and houses built on the coastal side are the intruders.
The War Over Here
The Western and Great Plains landscapes are a living reminder of the real American character. It is still wide open and wild, despite 300 years of foreign occupation by various colonizers.
Unfortunately, intrusion and annihilation are too large a part of the American Tale.
Conquering formidable and resource-rich landforms from every coastline, most native populations were either killed in the Indian Wars, integrated with settler communities or relocated in stark tribal reservations.
America was built on firepower and the dominion model. It has never relinquished its unsatiable urge for conquest.
Today, only the names of towns, rivers and topographical features remind most Americans of the rich indigenous history of our founded homeland.
Coda
I still marvel at the beauty and ruggedness of the American landscape. It is beyond comprehension to fully understand its immense space and diverse ecosystems.
Despite all our modern machines and concrete communities, the terrain is not tame. It exists in a natural state to continue to test our resolve and remind us that nature is still in charge.
To the environment, we are all transgressors. There are valuable human lessons to take away from our relationship with the solid ground.
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