The next renaissance of human culture will be the reconstruction of our natural world in our cities. Plants will be at the center of it all.
— Thomas Rainer (@ThomasRainerDC) November 17, 2014
In addition to being a talented landscape architect and blogger Thomas Rainer has delivered the most important tweet of our generation.
While it’s understandable that you’d appreciate this particular tweet, it’s far more likely the next ‘renaissance of human culture’ will be technology based, involving genetic engineering, nanotech, cybernetics or AI (or a blending of some or all of them). We all love trees and tomatoes, but they’re not even in the running.
Yes, I believe that we are going to be a more technology based society especially thanks to the internet that takes us out of our own little worlds, lets us see what is really happening (uncensored) around us, and makes us aware of the consequences of various actions. It has brought us closer together and helped to heal many of the rifts brought on by ignorance. But I also still think that the future will hold a return to the caring for the earth with a major emphasis on plants for nourishment, healing, and water and air purification…something mankind still has not learn to do as well as nature.
This is the next renaissance: http://youtu.be/ie0wP0YXLf8
what the what?
I think I’m going to agree with Erik and Rainer on this one. (No surprises there, I know!) I make no predictions as to where we are heading technologically, but if humanity is going to have a true renaissance, literally a rebirth, it will have it through engagement with nature and accepting ourselves as animals who are intertwined at every level with the natural world, and dependent upon it. If we do not engage with nature in a meaningful and non-exploitative way–soon– I don’t think we will be in any shape to do anything much else at all.
Kudos, Homegrowns. We can only hope that human culture evolves enough to embrace the message that Rainer is communicating. To believe that technology alone will solve the real problems we face as a species on this planet is delusional. Though it certainly has the ability to distract us from the work that needs to be done. Trees and tomatoes indeed!
…I’m trying to include the open country in my city limits so I’ll have one answer!…