one millennial’s perspective on technology use IN wilderness Mark J. Vandlik one millennial’s perspective on technology use IN wilderness

THIS IS A REAL PHENOMENON DANGEROUS SELFIES… THIS IS A REAL PHENOMENON … WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THE TYPES OF RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE DEVELOPING BETWEEN PEOPLE AND “NATURE” SHOULD BE CONSIDERED MORE SERIOUSLY

A TOOL ALWAYS AMPLIFIES IN SOME WAY CERTAIN ASPECTS OF NORMAL EMBODIED EXPERIENCE WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY REDUCING OTHER ASPECTS DON IHDE

“THE PURPOSE OF THE WILDERNESS ACT IS TO PRESERVE THE WILDERNESS CHARACTER OF THE AREAS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WILDERNESS SYSTEM, NOT TO ESTABLISH ANY PARTICULAR USE.” HOWARD ZAHNISER, 1962

singular purpose Sec. 4(b), “Uses of Wilderness Areas,” states that, “Except as otherwise provided in this Act, wilderness areas shall be devoted to the public purposes of recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation, and historical use.” While this is often understood as the purpose of wilderness areas, it simply outlines the allowable uses of wilderness by the public. As such, these “public purposes” do not take precedence over the singular purpose of the Act.

Why do we visit wilderness?

CREATED BY BRAZILIAN ILLUSTRATOR FELIPE LUCHI

Is it because wilderness is an inspiring nontraditional workspace?

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NATIONAL BROADBAND MAP

IF THE WILDERNESS ACT DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT “TECHNOLOGY,” AND RETAILERS ADVERTISE THEIR GEAR FOR WILDERNESS, THEN WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE EXPECT?

Getting away from it all means getting away from “Getting away from it all means getting away from power outlets. Here's how to keep your phone, tablet, and other devices powered up in the woods.”

“GET LOST WHERE YOU WANT TO, GET FOUND WHEN YOU NEED TO.”

“WIRELESS IN THE WILDERNESS AND WHY YOU NEED TO” “SO JUST HOW CAN YOU ARM YOURSELF AGAINST THE UNPREDICTABLE? SIMPLE — WITH TECHNOLOGY”

MANAGING AGENCIES MUST lead BY EXAMPLE. the same goes for any organization with a media presence

“TEDDY ROOSEVELT TAKES A SELFIE WITH HIS BFF JOHN MUIR AT #YOSEMITE”

CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS LNT CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS

“THE TEMPTATION FOR WILDERNESS USERS THEMSELVES TO RESORT TO PRACTICES THAT MODIFY THROUGH CONVENIENCE THEIR OWN WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE IS INDEED ONE OF THE GREAT THREATS TO THE MAINTENANCE OF WILDERNESS. WHEN THIS TEMPTATION Is USED BY ADMINISTRATORS AND OTHER FRIENDS OF WILDERNESS AREAS TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE INTO THE WILDERNESS THE RESULT IS A COMPOUND THREAT.” howard zahniser, 1949

IN A 1957 SPEECH, HOWARD ZAHNISER DEFINED UNTRAMMELED, “FREE, UNBOUND, UNHAMPERED, UNCHECKED, HAVING THE FREEDOM OF THE WILDERNESS.”

A policy of nondegradation cannot be achieved without engaging the cause of degradation, as well as its effects. To this end, management intent is critical – does the intent of an action affirm our role as respectful guests and stewards of Wilderness? Or does it simply reinforce the “primacy” of our uses and benefits, our convenience and expediency? -wilderness watch-

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK? WAS SMOKE ELSER RIGHT WHEN HE SAID, “TODAY WE HAVE A NEW GUARD THAT DOESN’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT WILDERNESS.”