Our lawns manifest our cultural desire: they are static, they are artificial, and they are kept sexually immature. - Derrick Jensen

I no longer see Descartes' statement as arbitrary. It is representative of our culture's narcissism. This narcissism leads to a disturbing disrespect for direct experience and a negation of the body.

Violence, and evil, doesn't always come dressed in black, and it doesn't always look like Charles Manson. Nor does it always come to us as obvious and arrogant[...]. Often it comes to us with the simple plea to be reasonable.

The only real job of a teacher, especially a writing teacher, is to help students find themselves.