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Unlikely Allies, They Spread the Gospel of Tree-Hugging
Summary
In Guardians of the Valley, Dean King chronicles the unlikely friendship between naturalist John Muir and journalist Robert Underwood Johnson, which was instrumental in the preservation of Yosemite National Park. The book examines their relationship and how Johnson brought Muir's work to a larger audience, resulting in a quarter-century of environmental activism that changed the shape of the nation. King frames the story as one of the power of storytelling and contrasts Johnson's lobbying with Muir's exploits. The book also acknowledges the complex legacy of Muir, including his racist statements and the Sierra Club's troubled history of bias.
Q&As
What is the relationship between naturalist John Muir and journalist Robert Underwood Johnson?
John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson had a friendship that was instrumental in advocating for Yosemite National Park.
How did Muir and Johnson use storytelling to advocate for Yosemite National Park?
Muir and Johnson used storytelling to advocate for Yosemite National Park by writing articles and letters for publications, lobbying on Capitol Hill, and using the media to influence politicians.
What were some of the environmental controversies that Muir and Johnson faced?
Muir and Johnson faced environmental controversies such as the shrinking of the park's boundaries, the Hetch Hetchy dam outside San Francisco, and the displacement of Indigenous peoples.
How has the Sierra Club responded to Muir's legacy in recent years?
The Sierra Club has called out Muir's racist statements and acknowledged their own troubled history of bias.
How can language be used to change the minds of lawmakers and tourists?
Language can be used to convey awe and power, resentment and raw anger, to change the minds of lawmakers and tourists.
AI Comments
👍 This article is a great exploration into the power of storytelling, and how it can be used for good, such as conservation and environmental activism.
👎 This article does not discuss the negative impacts of John Muir's views, particularly his racism and the displacement of Indigenous peoples.
AI Discussion
Me: It's about the friendship between the naturalist John Muir and the journalist Robert Underwood Johnson and how it led to the establishment of Yosemite National Park. The article also discusses the power of storytelling and how Johnson and Muir used their words to influence politicians and the public to advocate for conservation.
Friend: That's really interesting. I can see how the power of storytelling could be an effective tool to advocate for conservation. It makes me wonder if it can be used to advocate for other issues as well.
Me: Yes, it certainly can! In fact, I think it's really important for us to recognize the power of storytelling and use it to spread awareness about important issues. It can be a powerful tool to help build support for causes we believe in.
Action items
- Research and learn more about John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson's friendship and their impact on conservation.
- Read other works by John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson to gain a better understanding of their writing styles and advocacy.
- Explore the national parks in the United States and learn more about the history of conservation efforts in the country.
Technical terms
- Nonfiction
- A genre of literature that is based on facts and real events.
- Affiliate commission
- A commission earned by a person or business for referring customers to a product or service.
- Lobbying
- The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials, typically by individuals or groups.
- Legislation
- A law or set of laws enacted by a government.
- Environmental activism
- The act of advocating for or against environmental policies.
- Urbane
- Refined and sophisticated in manner or style.
- Austere
- Severe or strict in manner or attitude.
- Statecraft
- The art or practice of conducting state affairs.
- Legislative history
- A record of the legislative process of a particular law or set of laws.
- Essential gear
- Equipment or supplies that are necessary for a particular activity or purpose.
- Recreation.gov
- A website that provides information about and access to recreational activities on public lands.
- Manipulation
- The act of influencing or controlling someone or something in a clever or unscrupulous way.
- Fliers
- A printed advertisement or notice, typically distributed or posted in a public place.
- Rape
- The act of taking something by force or without permission.