Is that Natural? -How has NATURE been commodified

National Parks attract the masses because they protect virgin areas of the natural world. An Annual Pass is only $80.

Ironically, the best way to see parts of the "natural world" is to pay money. The point of preserving these natural areas is to keep parts of the world that are unaffected by man and hopefully they will remain that way so other generations can appreciate them. National Parks are a simulation of nature because they are no longer really nature. In reality, there is absolutely no way to allow man to view these areas by not affecting their natural-ness. Pathways that are handicap accessible must be built. Flags are put into the ground to mark pathways. There's nothing more natural than a yellow flag telling you where to go.

Nature is one of the most popular commodities. Snow plays a huge part in the commodification of nature. Snow itself becomes a commodity when stores sell fake snow or other simulations of snow. There are the snow villages and songs about snow and paintings depicting snowy scenes.

You can pay to go camping to experience nature first hand. You pay money to have nature simulated for you. It doesn't get a whole lot more up close and personal when you 30 feet away from a family with five kids when you yourself are destroying nature by reading a book around a campfire with you 5th wheel in the background. You feel like your experiencing nature because your in the Great Outdoors, but in reality, campgrounds are nothing more than low-grade motels that receives responses through its simulations, whether it be nature or retro or art deco.

So the next time you go to experience nature, remember how it has been commodified and consider staying home in your backyard. You might not have as great of a view, but you will not have to contend with public restrooms.