Sarah Weber Week2 Response

1A: Zoos began to use Linnaeus' method of organizing animals as a model for the organization of zoo grounds. I find it particularly interesting the connection between colonization and public zoos. Stamp Collecting relates to zoos in a parallel way. The idea of collecting emphasizes quantity. This idea is problematic for many reasons one being the romanticizing of exotic animals to public, the health stresses put on animals, and the lack of human and wild animal encounters. 2A: Societal value and value to personal development was placed through a gaze of natural history because before public zoos low and middle class were exempt from experiencing menageries. Menageries were the first form of zoos in which the wealthy or land rulers would collect exotic animals. (Hugh Hefner actually has a zoo permit and a backyard filled with squirrel monkeys and more than 100 species of birds.) Zoos became an educational but also an experience often relating to creatures of God's production. On page 17 of Hancock's article he says, "Nature is a value concept." 3A: Public demand for seeing exotic animals caused exotic wild animals to come into the hands of private dealers or collectors, an exhibition of baby animals that held no value after the babies became adults, euthanizing healthy animals, and donating animals to science. The origin of the Lincoln Park Zoo was that of "showboating" animals as well. Although many zoos have motives of helping preserve life of endangered animals through which educating the public can help their cause. 4A: According to John Berger we look at animals because of our relationship with them. The relationship with man and animal is close because physically and emotionally there are connections. Animals history have served a purpose of explaining natural events and served as metaphors of the human condition. Animals are marginalized just as humans are for the purpose of making money: Capitalism. Berger suggests zoos are a monument of human society. I also find it interesting the use of animals in zodiac signs. Animals were symbols of great powers but how did that idea originate? Berger also uses the Illiad as an example of how humans anthropormorphise animals. The death of a soldier on the battlefield is compared to the death of a horse. A horse is often used in a utilitarian way as are soldiers. Soldiers are often the pawns of battle. The death of horse is as powerful and tragic as the death of a man. Berger's essay was my favorite this week as it hit on so many interesting points. One that I thought was interesting was the domestication of animals and the differences in the way we use animals now (food, clothing, production) and before industrialization (still food and clothing but on a family level not industry level, also as pets).