David Thoreau's Thoughts

In Where I lived, and what I lived for, it is interesting how Thoreau wrote about if we stayed home then we wouldn’t want things like railroads (Thoreau 2007). The essay also had brought up how the rest of us think we need to have all these technological things, but really we don’t need any of it; we survived without them before they were invented. I think this relates to the energy predicament because we did survive before electricity, but it makes our lives easier. Also, the energy problem and protecting the earth makes some people in the world feel urged to live without any technology like Thoreau did in the essay. I personally think that the people could reduce their energy uptake instead of completely cutting themselves off. I think this essay is moving, but doesn’t make me want to go out and live in cabin. I might for a little bit, but it would just be for fun. Overall the essay seemed well put together with all the examples of technology we can live without, but it doesn’t make me want to make life changes. Also Thoreau did not live deep in the woods and even got pie frequently; according to Cohen's introduction of Thoreau (In 50 Essays-- where I found the essay--). Hearing that has a negative effect and Thoreau is looking for epiphany when they read his essay

Thoreau,D.(2007).Where I lived and what I lived for. In S. Cohen (Eds.), 50 Essays. (2nd ed., pp424-430).