The Human, Nature, and the Bureaucratic Relationship

Journal Entry #6


This week we saw the last of the Green Technology presentations. I will add to my dream house wish list...it should be made out of straw bales! We also had a lecture that was very interesting to me, it was about the relationship between humans and nature. Studies show that nature in the workplace (plants, windows to the outdoors, etc.) are linked to fewer sick days, greater job satisfaction, improved attention and scores on proofreading tasks, and even faster healing when sick! This is simply amazing to me, but honestly not surprising at all. Nature just makes people feel good inside. When they feel good, they are less likely to get stressed or upset. And that means they're less likely to get sick, and can be more productive and energetic.

Sick buildings make sick people!


We also discussed the reason why green building design isn't incorporated more often, espcially since it makes so much sense since you can save a lot of money over the long-term. The problem is that apparently a lot of the time the money for construction is controlled/overseen by a seperate person than the money for maintenance and the long-term costs of the building is. So since incorporating many of these green features would cost more to originally construct (but save more in the long-term), the builder doesn't take the long-term savings into account. All he knows is that he has a budget to meet. Ridiculous, isn't it? Theoretically it is the same person/corporation paying for the construction AND maintenance. So why can't they communicate a little better?

The relationship between humans and nature seems governed by bureaucracy. As discussed above, it can be corporate. It can also be governmental. I have heard about zoning bylaws quite a bit, and how they really hinder mixed use developments.

But the government also has the ability to help. Or, I should say, government employees. After all, the government is made up of people too. THOSE people have the ability to help, if they only have the courage. Unfortunately, it seems that they are ruled by fear of not being elected next year...so they will satify people's short-term desires just to get a vote. I would like to send a message to politicians. I am not a child. I can see much farther ahead than you give me credit for. Propose some policies to me that do not insult my intelligence!!

Can we build an office like this for me to work in? Please??!?