Ed Grumbine: Many people might listen to what you just said and think that "walking the dog, that's his natural history practice?" But the reason I'm focusing on that is that the answer is yes. Yes, it is a natural history practice. For example, I just wrote something about hydroelectric dams in China. Dams are a natural expression of a certain kind of human relationship with flowing, wild water. Through the expression of dam building the water isn't so wild anymore, it enters the human realm and becomes utilitarian, if you will. But, you could have a lively discussion about whether that dam was natural, or whether it was unnatural. So the practice of natural and unnatural history is a fascinating takeoff spot to try to determine how humans might better relate with the world around us.
For me, being a teacher of attention, as opposed to a mere practitioner, has made all the difference in the world, and helped me see that whether you're building a dam or walking a dog, there's no reason to confine your practice of natural history to the standard expectations that the culture might lay on you.
