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Dam Breakage
12018-10-18T00:26:19-07:00Sigi Jöttkandt4115726eb75e75e43252a5cbfc72a780d0304d7d309861plain2018-10-18T00:26:20-07:00John MalminJohn MalminDec. 15, 1963: Aerial photo taken from inside the Baldwin Hills Dam showing collapsed section in north wall. This photo was published in the Dec. 16, 1963 Los Angeles Times.20131207212933-0800Los Angeles Times0:0:0:-00001Sigi Jöttkandt4115726eb75e75e43252a5cbfc72a780d0304d7d
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12018-10-18T00:25:32-07:00Post Card 2 - Raymond May2plain2018-10-18T00:28:37-07:00Leading on from the previous postcard, in summary the poem that was analysed by Sophie and Caitlin reinforces my points on the extinction group’s Thylacine image whereby humans are not to attempt to control nature, something that cannot be contained as it has severe repercussions.
An interesting example of this that I found was the dam breakage as pictured below, which shows the Baldwin Hills Dam collapse that occurred in December 14, 1963. This was due to the asphalt liner between the embankment and reservoir's contents cracking and allowing water to penetrate and erode the soil beneath it. As far and as much as humans can go, the restrictions on nature are near impossible as they are bound to escape and bring devastating consequences to its captors.
Coolridge’s comments on human selfishness and senselessness in disrespecting nature challenge the anthropocentric notion of humans being at the centre when clearly there are more powerful forces at work in nature that humans are unable to control. An interesting comment by Burchett (2014) supports my opinion that “Nature is whatever is, all in sum…the word is quite unmanageable” (p.119). However, it does contest and struggle with human developments that aim to centralise urbanisation whilst utilising the resources of nature.
Burchett, K. (2014). Anthropocentrism and nature an attempt at reconciliation. Rethinking “Nature”, 1, 119-120.