"The Monument and the Bungalow" response

After reading the article " The Monument and the Bungalow " by Pierce Lewis, it really showed me a different way to view the world we live in. Through out the article, Lewis tries to open your mind towards "reading landscapes". Pierce Lewis then talks about how two former colleague of his, wrote identical letters in hopes for tips on how to teach their own students how to read landscape. Lewis, at first finds it difficult to explain how to read landscape in his letter, but the task does not defeat him. Lewis explains in detail about how you need to have true eyes before you can read landscape. What Lewis meant by true eyes was, using non judgmental eyes. If you were to pass judgement onto the object you were looking at, in turn this would overpower you ability to read the landscape. I thought the way Lewis explained how judgement alters your mind was the most moving point in the article. I also try to use my "true eyes" in my day-to-day life, but often my judgement takes over. Although, I have never thought of this before until I read this story, but when I pass judgment upon something I too lose my vision and don't see what is really there. 

Also Lewis explained how college students fresh out of high school are less likely to practice their "true eyes". Which I would have to say I agree with. Most 18 year olds are still trying to find themselves and what they want to do in life. Most of all, these new college students are still very much into their appearance. What I mean (and Lewis explained it also) about that is, these young adults who are once again new to another school, and don't want to be caught dead kneeling on the ground observing gravel. So, Lewis' goal was to erase the way most students have been taught and a show them a new way of learning. Lewis is appalled with the way students today are being taught. It disgust him how students are being taught about the world by simple sitting in a class room and watching a movie. So, instead he takes his students on field trips to show them what life is really made of. 

Lewis also said in order to "read landscape" you must improve your vocabulary. The example he gave was a picture of hills and then he described the hills with only using two words, "alluvial fan". He then explained how these hills look like an alluvial fan and then explains the history of an alluvial fan. Lewis explained that the alluvial fan is created by a  running stream who's volume and velocity starts to decrease the stream is then forced to drop all the gravel and sand it was carrying to appear like an alluvial fan. These two words describe what the object looked like, how it was made and even a little background history of what these fans mean. This was a very creative word choice on Lewis' part, and that was another point he had made. Creativity is key to helping your vocabulary and view of what your observing.

What I also liked about this article was the way at the end Lewis courageously said he may be wrong about his theory, but doubts that he is. I really admired the way he admits to possibly be wrong about his theory. Just by Lewis saying he could be wrong makes you want to read into his theory a little more. I have always found it unappealing when a teacher, for instance, pushes their students to hard into believing in what they feel is important. When someone is confident in what they are presenting they can admit to possibly being wrong. I felt throughout this article that Lewis didn't try to brainwash you into thinking like him, and I find it more enjoyable to learn when someone isn't pressuring you into their ways.