[Jack Cain]

Through his experiences at Walden pond Thoreau has learned that life will become easier the more he simplifies. He learns that nature is calming and helps the body and mind. In todays society it would be difficult to do exactly what Thoreau did and completely isolate yourself from society but there are definetly experiments you could do similar to his. From reading Walden, I have learned the differences between wants and needs and to consider what I am using and not taking advantage of it. I have also learned to not want as much and not be as materialistic.

[Jack Cain]

In Thoreau’s “Higher Laws” he claims that food is necessary and that savoring these foods is a distraction from higher mental pursuits. He believes that one should only eat enough to sustain him and no more.

I agree with Noah and Max saying that one can still savor food while reaching higher goals in life. Some foods will provide more of a distraction than others because they have no value to the body other than to make you full. While foods like fruits and vegetables improve the body and its functions and for that cause there is no reason that one cannot savor their food.

[Jack Cain]

In “Economy” Thoreau states that the four basic “necessities” of life are clothing, fuel, shelter, and food.  He further explains that each of the necessities can quickly transform into wants, greed, and then jealousy.  When we see other humans with better necessities us humans tend to want more and better of that necessity. It is only when there is jealousy that humans cannot control their desires for newer and better possessions.  Thoreau says that to survive we only need a minimal amount of each necessities and that nature can and will provide the rest. I agree with Jadie that when people recieve new things it is instinct for people to want to show them off.

-Jack Cain

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