Post comments/questions in response to the reading
Posted by Capper Nichols on March 23, 2007 06:46 PM|Permalink
Comments
Who hasn’t thought about building a place by themselves- a place alone in the woods for solidarity and allowable for concrete contemplation. The impressive thing of Pollan’s dream is that he, with no knowledge of construction, set out to actually build a cabin like structure by himself, with guided assistance. While reading the selection I thought about how his idea sounded like a child wanting to build a fort. This, of course, was on a much grander scale, but I couldn’t help thinking about how when I was kid I loved building tree-forts and other places like them. There is something attractive, at least to me, to doing things with my own hands and then reaping the benefits of my own work. Building a house, fixing your car, painting a bike, all seem like more rewarding acts if they are done by the owner. I am sure there are professionals who could do a much better job on something than me, but there is a different feeling when you do it yourself.
This concept of having one’s own room is quite strange when you look at it more closely. Back in the day, a house would usually consist of only 2 bedrooms: one for the parents and one for all the kids, packed into cots or on the floor. As time past, houses began growing in size and kids became more demanding it seems. Today, an average house that’s built at standard levels will typically have at least 4 or 5 bedrooms; one for the parents, and one for each kid in the family. But in general, people (especially kids) seem to want more privacy, or a place they can call their own where no one can bother them. But when should privacy really be an issue in a person’s life? Pollan mentions that his parents would actually help in making/assisting him to make a tree house where in fact, the parents would ultimately be excluded from what their child is doing. Pollan agreed that this was a foolish act on the parent’s behalf since this sort of privacy for a child of such age would usually lead to various “illicit activities”. I think it was exactly for this very reason that in the olden day’s kids would have limited privacy in their own place and space and would have to share rooms and space with other siblings. But customs have changed and kids have power these days: what they want is usually what they get, be it right or wrong.
I think I can relate to Pollan in having wanted a place of my own where I can spend some much needed alone time at times and just think - who hasn't thought of that or wanted that? I thought it was pretty amazing how he was so uncrafty and not a handy man but yet he set out to build a place in the woods of his own. Many people think about that but I don't think many people would actually do it and he did.
I would have to agree with Pat about feeling that way when I was a kid. My brother and I were always building forts or trying to discover new treehouses/forts in our woods or windbreak on our farm. I also had a playhouse when I was growing up and I always remember talking to my dad about adding on and building more on the playhouse. The playhouse was basically mine and it was my place to play, think and spend time in - and sometimes that meant without anyone else! Although I didn't set out to build onto it myself, I always dreamed about it the same way Pollan did in the story.
Reading A Room of One’s Own made me think about the importance of children having a relationship with nature. Tree houses allow children to disconnect from the world and be in a natural environment. I also think being in nature benefits a child because it allows for the stimulation of creativity. Children can learn things while being in a different atmosphere. I find that children now are less apt to have a tree house or a place outdoors to spend time. This may be due to the increase of crime or decrease of land.
Growing up I had a tree fort in my backyard. I would pretend I was in a different world and I would enjoy being able to get away from my parents. I think that I learned a lot by just being outside and having to fend for myself.
When I was little I always wanted to have a tree fort or something like that in a wooded area. I think Pollan really would agree with this statement. I would also build little forts and stuff with my brother. However, now I would have to disagree with Pollan. I definitely would not enjoy living in the woods in a very secluded area. I am not an outdoorsman at all. I have never really enjoyed being completely alone in the woods. Its notable that Pollan brings up the differences in the upbringing of kids now and from years ago. When I was younger I always had my own room, so I never want too much of my own space like Pollan because I kind of already had my own space. Now that I’m in college I think I really have my own space because of being away from parents. I still would not want to build a place of my own in the forest.
Michael Pollan has an idea to get away and be alone, much like everyone else. The only difference is that he acts upon it by building a hut in the woods. For someone without any building skills, Pollan takes on a huge task but when he is finished he gets back an even greater reward. He gets the feeling of acheivement for successfully building his hut, and the feeling of being able to get away, and have his own space which is nearly priceless.
I think that each individual needs their alone time, whether it be a lot or a little there is always a need for solitude.
I agree with Pat when he states that doing things yourself are more personally beneficial rather than having someone else do the job for you. Pollan is honest in that he admits he is not very skilled and has no idea how to build the hut, but is bound and determined to find a way to make it possible. His personal drive is what others need to learn from, and to be able to find it in themselves to be able to conquer quests such as this.
If our wants are known and our needs are understood, then once our and needs are met, we shall want nothing more.
I thought it was very interesting how Pollan began his attempt at defining "houseness" with kids. Was he questioning whether the quest for "house" is something innate, therefore it can be observed in the behavior of children? Who hasn't as a child built some sort of fort or played house? I definitely have. And then he talks about how the concept of house develops from a simple shelter to a retreat. There are two driving forces, centripetal force or centrifugal impulses that drive people to building homes. Are we trying to centralize our lives and build a shelter around it, or are we trying to spread out and create our own little world? I think its a little of both. A house makes me feel safe, I think if we didn't use them to make us feel safe, we would not make them so inaccessible. But, as Pollan described, the coolest thing I think about building a house someday is that it is a way to make your own little world. You can decorate it however you like and chose where its built. Its not so much that I want a space of my own, because I want it to always be busy and filled with people, but it is a space that centralizes my own little world in this great big one.
Nothing unique about wanting a place to call one's own. Much of the same still happens now, often starting with cars. It's just another symbol of independence.
I never had a room to myself. I come from a fairly large family (6 children altogether) and I always had to share a room with my sister. Let me emphasis ALWAYS. I never got any privacy of my own. The only place I had privacy was in my head. Although, I did like to enjoy nature alone in the backyard, I never really saw it a place of my own. Now, I live on my own and it is nice to finally have a room or in fact a place of my own. The first day in my apartment, I was so scared to sleep alone. I guess it is because I wasn’t use to having a place of my own and being alone. After weeks alone in my solitude, I loved it. Well, until my boyfriend moved in to live with me. Now, I can’t find a time to daydream or even just to think to myself about life or anything. I think I too would like to build a place of my own. But I believe that if I do have a place of my own like Pollan, people would invade my space. And I don’t want my office to be my place because there you would think about work; I want a place of absolute solitude where I can just ponder about anything. And when I am done pondering and being alone, I can come back to reality. I believe that daydreaming is good for one’s mind and soul. It can take us anywhere we want to go and forget all the stress and pain we suffer each day. And a little room to oneself would help us daydream just a little better. Although, one shouldn’t daydream so much, they would just get reality and fantasy world all mixed up.
At my parents home, where I also live during the summer, I have a room to my own but rarely spend any time in it. My father and sister spend the majority of our time in our basement on the three computers our family owns. It's incredibly rare that I am ever alone down there but I don't mind it. Often times we'll go hours without speaking because we're busy working/playing but we're still near each other, in the same "room" but I don't mind it at all. I never feel the need to find a place of my own or get away. Perhaps our sense of "room" in the basement is more a personal area. To me, I enjoy being around them and I enjoy their company. With the ability to focus on our computers, there isn't a need for interaction, which I think gives the room a better sense of seclusion than actually exists. I've never realized how much of a social environment the basement presents while often times not being interactive at all.
When it comes to “A Room of One’s Own” it made my child hood life come back to me so hard that it kind a made me cry. When I was younger My family and I lived in a two bed room apartment, where me and my brother shared a room and my mom and sister shared a room it wasn’t much but it was home. The reason why I was about to cry is that knowing where I come from made get where I’m at right now. Have only two bad rooms with 4 people was hard but now my mother lives in a 5 bed room house with her and my older brother. Now she has to mini rooms for only 2 people that’s ironic.
I think that every child yearns to have a place of his or her own, whether it is building a blanket fort, a tree house, or just finding their own spot under some trees. I remember as a child sitting in my orange tree for hours, reading and just absorbing nature (albeit my backyard was extremely small and I lived on a busy street, it seemed like ‘nature’ to me). However, complete solitude is not my thing. Pollan’s desire to have his own space was so strong that he actually constructed one for himself. However, I could not stand being by myself for an extended period of time. Every person needs their down time, their time to spend relaxing by themselves, and some need much more than others. I think today’s society really values independence in most forms, but rarely is able to give people complete independence to isolate themselves.
Having a place of ones own is an interesting concept. Growing up, I always had my own room, it was not until I lived in a dorm that I had to share my space with someone else, which I didn't find too unpleasant. A friend of mine who lived down the block from me, lived in a three bedroom house and has six sibblings. I think that her and I probably have very different idea's about what having a space of ones own means. I also think that there is a difference between the needs of an artist/writer/creator of thing, and someone else, as it pertains to individual space. Most artists I've known live alone, in an artists loft where they can create without anyone bothering them. It also seems to me that most writers I know have their own sort of space where thay can write in peace. I think it might be possible that less creative people might not need that space as much as creative people do.
I thusly make my triumphant return to the class forums. I know you've all missed me...
I, for one, definitely value solitude. I guess that's because I associate being alone with a lack of responsibility to anyone but myself. The demands and noise from the outside world and its inhabitants melt away for at least a while. Solitude is a sanctuary from real life.
I think that desire for a private and sometimes secret place is derivative of a desire for control over our environment. It's nice to be able to completely control what we experience, so it's only things that are pleasing to us. That’s why we build forts as children. All that’s present inside our fortress is our imagination, or maybe a book or GameBoy. We can shut out all of the unpleasant stuff coming in. That could be a reason personal music players have become so popular: even out in public you can be in your own private space, controlling what you experience, at least aurally.
After reading the article for tody I thought of houses differently then I hve before. I have always thought of houses as just a two bedroom house with kitchen, bathroom, etc. Butb there are so many different kinds. Like tree houses, trailer homes, apartments, mansions, etc. I never considered what different homes might be like. I lived in the same home ever since I was born and so I am not used to different types. Also my whole family also lives in the same type of house that I do. I think that the purpose of houses are for shelter fro mweather and society. You can do pretty much whatever you want to inside your house. You can also make it very personal to your character. I think that houses are one of the best technological advances in history.
Most children have a great imagination, i mean they can come up with a fort our structure out of just about anything. I remember when i was young me and my cousins would build forts out of anything, tires, old pig feeders, branches, anything we could get our hands on. Building something for yourself is a very rewarding process, in the end all that work paid off into something that you can see, live or play in. It doesn't matter what kinda place people live in as long as they have something to call their own and to come home to after school, work or whatever!
I can relate to Pollan wanting to build his own home. After reading it I have changed my thoughts on houses. Iwant to build a new house so I am now looking to sell my own house. It has actually inspired me to build a boat house which will nbe much more interesting than a brick house.
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Comments
Who hasn’t thought about building a place by themselves- a place alone in the woods for solidarity and allowable for concrete contemplation. The impressive thing of Pollan’s dream is that he, with no knowledge of construction, set out to actually build a cabin like structure by himself, with guided assistance. While reading the selection I thought about how his idea sounded like a child wanting to build a fort. This, of course, was on a much grander scale, but I couldn’t help thinking about how when I was kid I loved building tree-forts and other places like them. There is something attractive, at least to me, to doing things with my own hands and then reaping the benefits of my own work. Building a house, fixing your car, painting a bike, all seem like more rewarding acts if they are done by the owner. I am sure there are professionals who could do a much better job on something than me, but there is a different feeling when you do it yourself.
Posted by: Pat Moen | March 26, 2007 02:55 AM
This concept of having one’s own room is quite strange when you look at it more closely. Back in the day, a house would usually consist of only 2 bedrooms: one for the parents and one for all the kids, packed into cots or on the floor. As time past, houses began growing in size and kids became more demanding it seems. Today, an average house that’s built at standard levels will typically have at least 4 or 5 bedrooms; one for the parents, and one for each kid in the family. But in general, people (especially kids) seem to want more privacy, or a place they can call their own where no one can bother them. But when should privacy really be an issue in a person’s life? Pollan mentions that his parents would actually help in making/assisting him to make a tree house where in fact, the parents would ultimately be excluded from what their child is doing. Pollan agreed that this was a foolish act on the parent’s behalf since this sort of privacy for a child of such age would usually lead to various “illicit activities”. I think it was exactly for this very reason that in the olden day’s kids would have limited privacy in their own place and space and would have to share rooms and space with other siblings. But customs have changed and kids have power these days: what they want is usually what they get, be it right or wrong.
Posted by: Maysam | March 26, 2007 03:26 AM
I think I can relate to Pollan in having wanted a place of my own where I can spend some much needed alone time at times and just think - who hasn't thought of that or wanted that? I thought it was pretty amazing how he was so uncrafty and not a handy man but yet he set out to build a place in the woods of his own. Many people think about that but I don't think many people would actually do it and he did.
I would have to agree with Pat about feeling that way when I was a kid. My brother and I were always building forts or trying to discover new treehouses/forts in our woods or windbreak on our farm. I also had a playhouse when I was growing up and I always remember talking to my dad about adding on and building more on the playhouse. The playhouse was basically mine and it was my place to play, think and spend time in - and sometimes that meant without anyone else! Although I didn't set out to build onto it myself, I always dreamed about it the same way Pollan did in the story.
Posted by: Jenna Kromann | March 26, 2007 03:29 AM
Reading A Room of One’s Own made me think about the importance of children having a relationship with nature. Tree houses allow children to disconnect from the world and be in a natural environment. I also think being in nature benefits a child because it allows for the stimulation of creativity. Children can learn things while being in a different atmosphere. I find that children now are less apt to have a tree house or a place outdoors to spend time. This may be due to the increase of crime or decrease of land.
Growing up I had a tree fort in my backyard. I would pretend I was in a different world and I would enjoy being able to get away from my parents. I think that I learned a lot by just being outside and having to fend for myself.
Posted by: Rachel Taube | March 26, 2007 04:24 AM
When I was little I always wanted to have a tree fort or something like that in a wooded area. I think Pollan really would agree with this statement. I would also build little forts and stuff with my brother. However, now I would have to disagree with Pollan. I definitely would not enjoy living in the woods in a very secluded area. I am not an outdoorsman at all. I have never really enjoyed being completely alone in the woods. Its notable that Pollan brings up the differences in the upbringing of kids now and from years ago. When I was younger I always had my own room, so I never want too much of my own space like Pollan because I kind of already had my own space. Now that I’m in college I think I really have my own space because of being away from parents. I still would not want to build a place of my own in the forest.
Posted by: KyleG | March 26, 2007 04:25 AM
Michael Pollan has an idea to get away and be alone, much like everyone else. The only difference is that he acts upon it by building a hut in the woods. For someone without any building skills, Pollan takes on a huge task but when he is finished he gets back an even greater reward. He gets the feeling of acheivement for successfully building his hut, and the feeling of being able to get away, and have his own space which is nearly priceless.
I think that each individual needs their alone time, whether it be a lot or a little there is always a need for solitude.
I agree with Pat when he states that doing things yourself are more personally beneficial rather than having someone else do the job for you. Pollan is honest in that he admits he is not very skilled and has no idea how to build the hut, but is bound and determined to find a way to make it possible. His personal drive is what others need to learn from, and to be able to find it in themselves to be able to conquer quests such as this.
If our wants are known and our needs are understood, then once our and needs are met, we shall want nothing more.
Posted by: Angie Kaehler | March 26, 2007 04:55 AM
I thought it was very interesting how Pollan began his attempt at defining "houseness" with kids. Was he questioning whether the quest for "house" is something innate, therefore it can be observed in the behavior of children? Who hasn't as a child built some sort of fort or played house? I definitely have. And then he talks about how the concept of house develops from a simple shelter to a retreat. There are two driving forces, centripetal force or centrifugal impulses that drive people to building homes. Are we trying to centralize our lives and build a shelter around it, or are we trying to spread out and create our own little world? I think its a little of both. A house makes me feel safe, I think if we didn't use them to make us feel safe, we would not make them so inaccessible. But, as Pollan described, the coolest thing I think about building a house someday is that it is a way to make your own little world. You can decorate it however you like and chose where its built. Its not so much that I want a space of my own, because I want it to always be busy and filled with people, but it is a space that centralizes my own little world in this great big one.
Posted by: Rebecca Nelson | March 26, 2007 05:05 AM
Nothing unique about wanting a place to call one's own. Much of the same still happens now, often starting with cars. It's just another symbol of independence.
Posted by: Amos Thiele | March 26, 2007 06:46 AM
I never had a room to myself. I come from a fairly large family (6 children altogether) and I always had to share a room with my sister. Let me emphasis ALWAYS. I never got any privacy of my own. The only place I had privacy was in my head. Although, I did like to enjoy nature alone in the backyard, I never really saw it a place of my own. Now, I live on my own and it is nice to finally have a room or in fact a place of my own. The first day in my apartment, I was so scared to sleep alone. I guess it is because I wasn’t use to having a place of my own and being alone. After weeks alone in my solitude, I loved it. Well, until my boyfriend moved in to live with me. Now, I can’t find a time to daydream or even just to think to myself about life or anything. I think I too would like to build a place of my own. But I believe that if I do have a place of my own like Pollan, people would invade my space. And I don’t want my office to be my place because there you would think about work; I want a place of absolute solitude where I can just ponder about anything. And when I am done pondering and being alone, I can come back to reality. I believe that daydreaming is good for one’s mind and soul. It can take us anywhere we want to go and forget all the stress and pain we suffer each day. And a little room to oneself would help us daydream just a little better. Although, one shouldn’t daydream so much, they would just get reality and fantasy world all mixed up.
Posted by: Dia Lee | March 26, 2007 03:12 PM
At my parents home, where I also live during the summer, I have a room to my own but rarely spend any time in it. My father and sister spend the majority of our time in our basement on the three computers our family owns. It's incredibly rare that I am ever alone down there but I don't mind it. Often times we'll go hours without speaking because we're busy working/playing but we're still near each other, in the same "room" but I don't mind it at all. I never feel the need to find a place of my own or get away. Perhaps our sense of "room" in the basement is more a personal area. To me, I enjoy being around them and I enjoy their company. With the ability to focus on our computers, there isn't a need for interaction, which I think gives the room a better sense of seclusion than actually exists. I've never realized how much of a social environment the basement presents while often times not being interactive at all.
Posted by: Shawn Burtis | March 26, 2007 03:40 PM
When it comes to “A Room of One’s Own” it made my child hood life come back to me so hard that it kind a made me cry. When I was younger My family and I lived in a two bed room apartment, where me and my brother shared a room and my mom and sister shared a room it wasn’t much but it was home. The reason why I was about to cry is that knowing where I come from made get where I’m at right now. Have only two bad rooms with 4 people was hard but now my mother lives in a 5 bed room house with her and my older brother. Now she has to mini rooms for only 2 people that’s ironic.
Posted by: Alex daniels | March 26, 2007 03:41 PM
I think that every child yearns to have a place of his or her own, whether it is building a blanket fort, a tree house, or just finding their own spot under some trees. I remember as a child sitting in my orange tree for hours, reading and just absorbing nature (albeit my backyard was extremely small and I lived on a busy street, it seemed like ‘nature’ to me). However, complete solitude is not my thing. Pollan’s desire to have his own space was so strong that he actually constructed one for himself. However, I could not stand being by myself for an extended period of time. Every person needs their down time, their time to spend relaxing by themselves, and some need much more than others. I think today’s society really values independence in most forms, but rarely is able to give people complete independence to isolate themselves.
Posted by: Alexandra Harkness | March 26, 2007 03:57 PM
Having a place of ones own is an interesting concept. Growing up, I always had my own room, it was not until I lived in a dorm that I had to share my space with someone else, which I didn't find too unpleasant. A friend of mine who lived down the block from me, lived in a three bedroom house and has six sibblings. I think that her and I probably have very different idea's about what having a space of ones own means. I also think that there is a difference between the needs of an artist/writer/creator of thing, and someone else, as it pertains to individual space. Most artists I've known live alone, in an artists loft where they can create without anyone bothering them. It also seems to me that most writers I know have their own sort of space where thay can write in peace. I think it might be possible that less creative people might not need that space as much as creative people do.
Posted by: Jennifer Murray | March 26, 2007 04:14 PM
I thusly make my triumphant return to the class forums. I know you've all missed me...
I, for one, definitely value solitude. I guess that's because I associate being alone with a lack of responsibility to anyone but myself. The demands and noise from the outside world and its inhabitants melt away for at least a while. Solitude is a sanctuary from real life.
I think that desire for a private and sometimes secret place is derivative of a desire for control over our environment. It's nice to be able to completely control what we experience, so it's only things that are pleasing to us. That’s why we build forts as children. All that’s present inside our fortress is our imagination, or maybe a book or GameBoy. We can shut out all of the unpleasant stuff coming in. That could be a reason personal music players have become so popular: even out in public you can be in your own private space, controlling what you experience, at least aurally.
Posted by: Derek Hansell | March 26, 2007 04:19 PM
After reading the article for tody I thought of houses differently then I hve before. I have always thought of houses as just a two bedroom house with kitchen, bathroom, etc. Butb there are so many different kinds. Like tree houses, trailer homes, apartments, mansions, etc. I never considered what different homes might be like. I lived in the same home ever since I was born and so I am not used to different types. Also my whole family also lives in the same type of house that I do. I think that the purpose of houses are for shelter fro mweather and society. You can do pretty much whatever you want to inside your house. You can also make it very personal to your character. I think that houses are one of the best technological advances in history.
Posted by: Nicole Goeppner | March 26, 2007 05:41 PM
Most children have a great imagination, i mean they can come up with a fort our structure out of just about anything. I remember when i was young me and my cousins would build forts out of anything, tires, old pig feeders, branches, anything we could get our hands on. Building something for yourself is a very rewarding process, in the end all that work paid off into something that you can see, live or play in. It doesn't matter what kinda place people live in as long as they have something to call their own and to come home to after school, work or whatever!
Posted by: Kyle Compart | March 28, 2007 02:50 PM
I can relate to Pollan wanting to build his own home. After reading it I have changed my thoughts on houses. Iwant to build a new house so I am now looking to sell my own house. It has actually inspired me to build a boat house which will nbe much more interesting than a brick house.
Posted by: sell my house fast | October 22, 2007 04:45 PM