4/29/26 Entry #8 Assigned Reading

 Redick, Kip. American Camino: Walking as Spiritual Practice on the Appalachian Trail. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2023. 


I found the term “extra-human” to be intriguing, as it implies value and a consideration for animals other than food or entertainment. Animals have varying degrees of intellect, some may be on par with humans. Octopus and Dolphins come to mind in terms of problem solving and the range of their social skills. All animals seek to pass on their genes and some care for their young in a manner similar to human beings. I like the term extra-human because it forces us to think of animals as conscious beings and to confront the consequences of actions when engaging with them. This is in line with my own thinking and the approach of ecology. To think about a system requires us to think about all parts and players, and how each will be affected by decisions we make. When we venture into the wilderness, we are playing an away game. We are on their home turf and it’s important that we keep this in mind. 

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