There are hidden contradictions in the minds of people who
"love Nature" while deploring the "artificialities" with which
"Man has spoiled 'Nature.'" The obvious contradiction lies
in their choice of words, which imply that man and his artifacts
are not part of "Nature"--but beavers and their dams
are. But the contradictions go deeper than this prima-facie
absurdity. In declaring his love for a beaver dam (erected by
beavers for beavers' purposes) and his hatred for dams
erected by men (for the purpose of men) the "Naturist"
reveals his hatred of his own race --i.e. his own self-hatred.
In the case of "Naturists" such self-hatred is understandable;
they are such a sorry lot. But hatred is too strong an
emotion to feel toward them; pity and contempt are the most
they rate.
As for me, willy-nilly I am a man, not a beaver, and H.
sapiens is the only race I have or can have. Fortunately for
me I like being part of a race made of men women
--it strikes me as a fine arrangement and perfectly "natural." -Robert A heinlein
