Shankar Vedantam

We see it as peaceful.

We don't see a volcano as just a geological phenomenon.

It feels like it has agency.

Randy told us about how when he hugged a boulder in his grief, it stood for stability in the midst of impermanence.

Is it possible that some of the effects that nature has on us is because of our own tendency to anthropomorphize the world?

One critique that we received from listeners is that our original conversation romanticized nature, Mark.

One listener moved from a city to a rural area and writes, for me now, walking in nature is a high-stress situation.

My dog and I are hypervigilant.

always on the lookout for coyotes, porcupines, skunks, badgers, bears, mountain lions, and worst of all, humans with unleashed dogs.

In my opinion, your guest maybe hasn't spent enough time in natural settings where there are very real dangers such as wild animals and crazy humans that realize they can get away with anything because there is no one around to call for help.

Walking in nature is not a panacea.

What do you think, Mark?

Is there a risk that many of us romanticize nature?

We heard from a listener named K-Bird who talked about how dealing with the cycles of nature can help us see the cycles in our own lives.

On her birthday, following a very painful divorce, she visited a peaceful mountain spot to spend the day.

It was October with a bright blue sky and gorgeous autumn leaves, but suddenly sheets of rain started pouring down.

When we come back, should you take your important business meeting in the woods?

You're listening to Hidden Brain.

I'm Shankar Vedantam.

This is Hidden Brain.