Our Future Environment

Meanings are not inherent in the nature of objects. The symbols and meanings that comprise landscapes reflect what people in cultural groups define to be proper and improper relationships among themselves and between themselves and the physical environment. For non-cavers in the United States, symbols and meanings related to caves may arise from Plato’s allegory, Mark Twain, the Discovery Channel, and even womb or death archetypes. From anecdotal evidence as someone who actively talks about caving with non-cavers a consistent theme in these conversations is the “improper” (“scary or other-worldly”) nature of caves. However, when interviewing cavers a consistent theme was the feeling of comfort afforded by interacting with caves and their peers. For cavers in the United States proper relationships between themselves and the physical environment is one of responsible exploration and conservation.
The concept of a meaningful landscape also exists in the conflict within communities with respect to cavers and local landowners. Land-owners may become cavers because of relationships that develop with cavers but, and often enough for liability wavers to exist as the norm, land-owners distrust and mostly tolerate cavers on their property. Although no legal precedent stands that permits cavers access to caves on private property, land-owners generally allow exploration because the possibility of scientific or otherwise significant cave findings increases their land value. For cavers, the meaning and value given to a cave is most often not monetary but instead is born from the recreation, scientific, or social benefits.

Filed under: caves, anthro of property, natural landscape on April 21st, 2008