Richard Louv and "Nature Deficit Disorder"

By Laura Knoy on Monday, October 22, 2007.

Richard Louv is worried that this new “wired generation” is spending too many hours in front of the TV, playing video games and hooked into their cell phones, while their connection with nature has become almost extinct. Louv says this lack of a connection with woods, streams and trails has created an increase in obesity, attention-deficit disorder and depression. Richard Louv joins us to talk about what he calls “Nature Deficit Disorder” - how it's happened, who’s to blame, and its consequences.

Guest

  • Richard Louv, columnist for the San Diego Union-Tribune and author of “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder”
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I feel that much of the fear
Mark Suomala - Mon, 10/22/2007 - 09:45

I feel that much of the fear that the general public has is a result of not understanding risk. We drive cars every day knowing that we can die in a car crash, but we go anyway because we understand that the risk is low. Yet we panic about "dangerous" experiences outsude such as EEE even though many fewer people die from that than from a car crash. We accept the risk of the car crash but not the EEE. Why is this? I DO believe that journalism plays a negative role in this matter, but I also feel that part of the problem is because we do not teach comparative risk analysis in school.

Please ask Mr. Louv about comparative risk analysis.

Thank you.

Excellent comment, Mark and
seabury lyon - Mon, 10/22/2007 - 10:38

Excellent comment, Mark and it bear on one I just submitted regarding Nature and Perspective. The experience of the Larger Processes in Nature, especially in one's formative years, is crucial to understanding key interdependencies and relationships, both personal and societal, local and global. Along with that comes a broad insight regarding relative risk inherent in a given action. Risk analysis would be a great compliment to a "No Child Left Inside" curriculum.
Seabury Lyon
Bethel, Maine

What a wonder-full show
seabury lyon - Mon, 10/22/2007 - 10:27

What a wonder-full show exploring broad aspects of this crucial topic. It's been a frustrating to discuss it socially because fewer people have the necessary experience and insight to be truly informed on it, which brings me to the point I was going to raise on the phone.

Until we can experience and relate to the Larger Process that Nature and the Universe represents, we can't fully appreciate the rationale for humanity and humane conduct. We can't truly understand the concepts of conservation, nor many crucial allusions in art and literature that preserve and communicate gained wisdom from generation to generation.

Were it not for the fortunate experiences of my rural childhood, I very much doubt that I'd have the insight to make this statement. PLEASE keep up your most noble and essential work!
Most sincerely,
Seabury & Sharon Lyon
Bethel, Maine

As a former professional
mav - Mon, 10/22/2007 - 11:31

As a former professional dancer, current dance instructor and mother of 4 (now adult) children, I must say that I am thrilled that someone else has noticed and is spreading the word about today's children.

In 1965, I owned and operated a chain of dance studios. I started children at 3 years of age and, yes, they learned to dance. Today, I cannot start them before 5 and am challenged at that. Coordination is simply not a skill they have perfected. A simple forward roll takes 3 to 4 months to get across.

I am horrified at the size of the children I see, their lack of coordination and inability to perform the simplest of tricks of a generation ago. Their mental acuity suffers as well. Children need to be free, run, tumble and play uninhibited by constant supervision.

Hooray for Richard Louv for writing his book. If I had the wherewithal, I would buy this book for every parent in our town. An absolute must read for every parent and professional dealing with children.