Rhetoric 3371 Spring 2007

“A Room of One’s Own” by Michael Pollan was a very interesting video to watch. At first when I was watching, I thought that it might be difficult for a 51 year old man to go out to the wilderness and survive on his own. As the video progressed, I noticed that there were a lot of tasks that he was performing that he made look real easy. After seeing this, I realized that he may have had an easier time as an older man since he was so experienced. If I were to go to live in the wilderness right now, I think would be in trouble.
When the comment was made that he was there all by himself and he was video recording himself I found it amusing when he would get into his canoe and begin to paddle away because I knew that he had to turn back around and pick up the camera and then paddle off again.

Ok so i switched up the titles. I meant to say "Alone in the Wilderness"

I honestly was amazed the entire time we were watching this movie. I couldn't believe that he was just building this incredible cabin by hand and by himself and it really only took 11 days to get the main structure done! I also thought that he made everything he did look extremely easy. He mentioned how making that wooden spoon only took him like 15 minutes after he drew it out - that would take me a whole day to do! One question I had while watching the movie was, was the land he was building his cabin on just open wilderness? Did he have to check with anyone to make sure it was okay for him to build there? I know it's a park now, and one I would like to visit, but did he need any kind of permission to do what he did and build all that he did?

Watching him build a cabin, an outhouse, tools to use, and basically whatever he needed really made me start to think, what would he have done if he injured himself? Carrying all of those logs and sawing on top of his roof and taking his risky climbs really had me wondering what he would have done if he were badly injured. I also couldn't help but admire him for what he did. There had to have been some level of extreme satisfaction that what he was living in or using was built with his own hands. The movie actually made me want to try to do something like that someday but I am fairly positive that I never will!

I was shocked to watch this documentary and see much dexterity the old guy had. It was incredible.He made the cabin building look so esay. As if he has been doing this for decades and he probably has been. He build the whole without having a single blueprint or drawing. He knew excactly what he wanted to build and he built it. I am also surprised to see that he didn't cut his hand while he was building the cabin. because after watching some of those strokes of the axe looked like he was going to cut himself sooner or later. I was facinated to see how he made himself a fridge by digging up the ground and then covering it with grass or whatever that thing was. I don't think i will be able to survive in the wild by myself.
Another thing that surprised me was the ease with which he carried those big heavy logs on his shoulder's on one of the scene. He might have been 51 but he was stronger than me.

I had seen bit’s and pieces of the video “Alone in the Wilderness;” it is on channel 2 all the time and my dad watches it. This is the first time I watched it all the way through. I never realized all the work that the man did to make the house. One part I found incredible was that he found all the logs needed for the house and then he had to straighten some of them so that they would fit in the structure. I think it was amazing how he had built the entire house by himself. Not only does it take a lot of strength and motivation to build all of it, but it also takes creativity and intelligence to create it. For example, he knew to use moss for the roof, and he knew to use flat rock for the fire place.
My question is who filmed him doing all of this. At some parts he was walking in the distance which I find hard to believe that he set up the camera so straight. Was he really “alone” in the wilderness?

I was just amazed at what this man is doing. First, he is living in the wilderness by himself. Then, he goes and builds all these great things. And not just that, he can farm! I couldn't take my eyes off the movie. It made me feel like going camping and building my own cabin and living out in the wilderness too. I would love to live like that and not have to stress about money at all but survival, all natural survival. I just love how this man can build such things. At first, I was like, ok, he build a cabin...very nice...then he builds shelves...then a chimney...then a john...then everything else. I was like what can't this man build? Not to call my boyfriend out, but I wish he can be a handy man too. I loved the view. I loved the outdoor and all the animals he gets to enjoy. I love how he gets to fish for trout. I wish I was there fishing too. It's just fascinating.

I can't believe that Dick Proenneke was able to construct that whole cabin and outhouse by himself within a matter of months. I would not have been able to master such a feat in such little time; then again, I have no experience in construction and wilderness survival. I think it was amazing that he was able to do all of that work by himself. I think that his age and life experience really helped him out in being objective about the things that he needed to do in order to make it through the Alaskan winter. I'm a little curious to know why it was that he decided to live out in the wilderness with little human interaction. I think that it's one thing to go to a cabin in the wilderness for a few months, it's another thing to want to live there. He didn't seem like a social outcast to me, or someone who despised society, so why would be commit himself to total isolation?

I was also surprised at his skills in operating the camera. The angles were really good and the scenery shots he got were breath-taking. For some time, I thought that maybe someone really was there with him, filming his work.

My question about the film is about the land he used to build his cabin. Did he buy that land? Or was it "first come, first serve" sort of deal.

Overall, I was really impressed with the way that he made everything look so easy and like it took no time to construct. He built that cabin really well and was really detailed about it. I thought that it was funny how he carved that spoon out of wood in 15 minutes. I wouldn't even know where to begin in doing something like that.

“Alone on the Wilderness” was a really interesting and exciting movie to watch. You could definitely tell the guy was an experienced builder, farmer, and hunter. It wasn’t his age that impressed me, but it was how quickly and unbelievably well he constructed everything. I also thoroughly enjoyed how he made whatever he thought he would need, for example the sled he constructed. I also couldn’t believe how well he knew the land and its secrets. He dug a hole to make an ice box. He knew where to fish to find fish. He knew which wood would make the best sides and roof of the house. He really knew what he was doing. I have a hunch this isn’t the first cabin he has built. Not only was constructing the cabin quite entertaining, but the life he lived looked very attractive. Living in a beautiful landscape, a short distance from the water, and mountains surrounding everywhere, sounds like a nice little get away to me. I am surprised, though, that he never got sick and he never got hurt. After living the way he has, relying on his healthy body, it seems like he is immune to everything. But, if he did get sick what would he do? I also wondered about the camera, is he really there by himself? Some of the shots he took, especially with him in the frame, seems like it was difficult to accomplish without an external aid.

“Alone on the Wilderness” was definitely an interesting film to watch. I watch a lot of history and discovery channels, and there is a lot of content like this on both. I think it really takes a lot of skill to complete such a project. I would like to know why he was so isolated in the land. I do not think I could ever cut myself of like he did. He is much more of an outdoorsman than me. I think being in the outdoors and surviving own your own is something that is not common today; it is something that is really impressive!

“Alone on the Wilderness” was definitely an interesting film to watch. I watch a lot of history and discovery channels, and there is a lot of content like this on both. I think it really takes a lot of skill to complete such a project. I would like to know why he was so isolated in the land. I do not think I could ever cut myself of like he did. He is much more of an outdoorsman than me. I think being in the outdoors and surviving own your own is something that is not common today; it is something that is really impressive

This was probably the most exciting video for me to watch so far in this class. Just to see the craftsmanship this guy had to be able to build everything from logs that he cut himself. He had very few things flown in to aid in his servival. To me the cabin he built is something that he could be very proud of beings he made everything himself, it is something he can take pride in. Building a cabin from scratch is something not everyone can do!

I thought the film was really interesting because it showed exactly what we are capable of. I never would have thought I would be able to go off into the wilderness, build my own cabin, and live off of the land... and I still don't think I can! But I am very impressed that the man in the video was able to do it. The whole time I was watching the film, I kept thinking if there was any correlation as to why it always seem to be men who go off into the wilderness to live? In Desert Island, the person who goes off to live on his own is a male, and that one documentary on the man who goes off to live with the grizzley bears in alaska is a man. Are there any examples of women doing this? Do women just need more social relationships than men? I don't think its because we are physically incapable of it. And I think it has to do with social structure. Personally, I think the landscape was gorgeous and the life looked nice and simple, a lot less complicated and busy than what we are used to. I enjoy camping, but I think the thing that would keep me from doing something like the man did in the film, is that I would miss my family and my friends. I would miss going out and having a good time. The scenery and the tranquility look tempting, but I know I could never do it.

I wouldn't necessarily consider him completely "alone". Firstly, he had a lot of conveniences that he didn't make himself (for instance, the cement he used)
Even if he shaped/made some of the tools & containers himself, many of the materials he used for its construction were ready for use (like the metal for his kitchen-related things, tools, etc)
Even if the makers of the stuff he used weren't there with him, they still had a part in helping, so I wouldn't consider him completely alone.
Plus, it is fairly obvious that he wasn't alone throughout the entire time - he had friends bring food, batteries (or something to power the camera) or other stuff (in any case, they come visit him), and there were instances where the camera is following him (it seems that a camera with the technology to follow him would be a bit much)- not to mention that it does a surprisingly good job capturing him when it is still. Using moss to make the cabin look like it had less modern conveniences used to build it seemed a bit silly. The technicalities aside though, I don't really have much of an opinion about going to live away from civilization for a while. Building all of what he did himself (assuming he did) may be fairly impressive to most people, but I don't really know what to think about it. It's his decision whether to enjoy it or not. Some may like to challenge themselves that way, some may not; I don't really care either way.

I found this movie rather amazing. Here you have a 51 year guy who decides to see if he can withstand an Alaskan winter with nothing but a few supplies. The first crazy thing is that he is so skilled in his craftsmanship. The hinge he made for his door was amazing and the shear time and dedication toward making his cabin was truely amazing. But why does he do this? I believe man has an innate quality that makes him want to do the unachievable and prove to himself what he can do. It is sort of an ego thing. For this guy to know he put in the hard work to survive the winter brings him great satisfaction that can not be taken from him. It fulfills his life and makes his live meaningful. I believe this is generally a quality in men as opposed to women and is a born with trait.

While watching and reflecting on the video, I kept debating what it means to be truly "alone". Is "alone" defined by other people? Can one person be in a lavish one person urban apartment and be "alone"? If you're with another person, but on a deserted island, are you no longer "alone"? I guess the topic I was debating was more an issue of independence. I don't wanna be the pessimistic emo kid or downplay his amazing accomplishments but I think it's important to objectively evaluate the tools and resources he used. It's awesome he crafted handles but he still was given an ax blade, cement for the fireplace, etc. He was incredibly talented and used these resources effectively but I think we shouldn't ignore the exceptions that didn't make him truly "ALONE In The Wilderness". He crafted some mighty fine meals out of wild game and beans, but if canned goods were available... then he had much greater assistance than the video really showed.

Just like everyone else, I was surprised to see the 51 year old man working to build on a cabin, 'alone' in the wilderness. It didn't quite convience me as of why he chose to be by himself in the wilderness for such a long period of time( I think the film showed him working on the cabin from the end of spring till winter). If I had to be by myself today, it would be hard, but i could still manage for a few days, but for months all together seems close to impossible. It was shown that he built the entire cabin by himself, little by little and it was really surprising to see that he did all this with very little help of technology. Most of the wood was cut manually, only the drilling instrument was used to serve the purpose. Food was cooked over the flames of fire, and food was stored underneath the ground at the relevant temperature. It was very fascinating to see how he managed to cover every single aspect that was actually required for a man to be by himself. he built a chimney before the onset of winter, things were just happening at the perfect time, as and when he wanted them to be there. It was very interesting to see his fine work of art when he made the spoon, the chair and the bench in no time. The biggest question was, why did he chose to built a cabin, go hunting for food, cook the food, store the food, built chimney for fire...all this just for himself ? and it looked like he enjoyed every part of what he was doing even thought he was completely by himself. I personally don't think this would be possible in a world of technology.

I'm sorry, but from what I've heard you guys say about the movie, I just don't buy it.

I love hearing tales about human survival. It's amazing what people can do when they're really motivated to stay alive.

If you haven't ever seen Man vs Wild on the Discovery Channel, you're missing out. The guy who stars in the show was British special forces, and he parachutes into these hostile environments and survives for a few days (supposedly) without any help from the camera men.

The guy is obviously a bad ass (or totally crazy), regardless of whether he has any help at all. He throws himself over the side of a cliff and plunges into icy water in the Alps in one episode.

So, the guy in this movie is apparently a master woodsman, carpenter, hunter, cook and cinematographer? Hmmm...

Look, I have all the respect in the world for someone who can abandon modern civilized life to live off of the land in the wilderness. I definitely wouldn't be willing or able to do the same. But it seems like this guy was just out to prove that it can be done. And to prove how big his cajones are. That kind of self-righteousness if somewhat off-putting. If he indeed did it alone at all.

I was incredibly impressed with “Alone in the Wilderness” and everything that Dick Proenneke was able to accomplish all by himself. The construction of the cabin alone was remarkable. It was a perfect little structure, lovingly secured and painstakingly winter-proofed. I could not imagine building my own house in that manner. It would be so difficult to do what Proenneke did. One thing I would worry about was being bored just being by myself, but honestly it seemed like he had very little downtime. Everything he did was motivated purely by his own desire to survive. He was constantly chopping wood, repairing his house, or foraging for food. It seems like being bored would not be a problem, but running out of energy could be!

I been trying to find this on my local public tv station. I cant seem to find it. I live in NJ. anyone that can tell me what channel or when it normaly plays I would love to see it. Or if anyone has the video and can send it to me. My dad talks about it all the time and I find myself dying to see it....

ty vm

i agree. an amazing tale of advenutre. now a mailinglist for those who wish to talk more about dick's life at twin lakes pro-actively... every can get each others post on it all... mes

i agree. an amazing tale of advenutre. now a mailinglist for those who wish to talk more about dick's life at twin lakes pro-actively... every can get each others post on it all... mes

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FriendsofDickProenneke

Why would it difficult for a 51 year old man to survive? I am 46 and feel I am just getting better - more knowledgeable etc

One tough man! I am 57 born 11-14-1950. Just 6 years ago I was 51. Today at 57 quite different. Good thing He got it done by age 51. Some of the film was clearly done by another person, but this doesn't matter, truly this is a man of a different calibre than that of today, on average. I suppose there are plenty that could do the same, but alas the world has changed much since 1968.