A term that Cal introduced in our conversation (excerpted in the video clip below) – degradation – is a rich word to describe human-induced changes to the earth. I’m a big believer in the power of words and story. On occasion, when somebody signifies a new word for me, I explore its meaning with a little etymological research. Here’s the finding for degradation.

The basic meaning of this action term is that of a reduction or forced step-down in grade, rank, or status, with the sense of moving to a state of lesser quality. Additional meaning for this term, as used by some, includes a stepping down or lowering of moral quality (or character). Tracing the meaning of the term back to its Indo-European roots, we find the root ghredh- which means to walk, go. Other words which share this common root with degradation, with grade, include regress, progress, congress, and transgress. Synonyms include dishonor, discredit, shame, and disgrace.

Cal DeWitt responds to the question “What is the meaning of Noah’s Ark?” in the video clip below.

Tomorrow, a clip from E.O. Wilson addresses the same question.

This week I hope to post a few clips regarding Noah’s Ark, an enduring parable conveyed to billions over the years, and familiar to many Americans. Noah’s Ark has been a significant point within two interviews for Behold the Earth to date. I also touched on it in conversation with the scientist and author Carl Safina over this past weekend. Carl and the well-known pastor Ken Wilson from the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor have started a group called the Friendship Collaborative. What is the meaning of Noah’s Ark? I asked Carl. Earth is the ark, was his initial reply, and the rising water feels like today’s rising impact of people. I hope to pursue this further with him.

Tomorrow, I will post the reply of ecologist and evangelical leader Cal DeWitt. And then the reply of biologist E.O. Wilson. Collectively, these replies help convey a partial picture of American identity in the natural world.

The image at right was created in 1846 by the painter Edward Hicks, and can be viewed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Almost twenty years ago, I traveled to Kamchatka as part of a film crew. We were the first westerners allowed to visit that part of the world since 1917, and the invitation came about as a result of Mikhail Gorbachev’s policy of Perestroika in the former USSR. On that trip, we visited a family group of Koryak reindeer herders. The boy in this photo was one. A couple of hours before I took this photo, the boy’s father had killed this reindeer from their herd to welcome and honor us and prepare for dinner. The boy’s mother had then gone through an elaborate ritual of thanks for this meat, according to their custom. Now the boy was taking his turn, pretending he was a living reindeer and prancing about the camp.

At that time, I knew the boy meant no disrespect for the reindeer. In fact, the opposite was the case. I knew that he and his family held their herd -their livelihood- in very high regard and were making a living as best they could.

There are a few places in America today where you might find this kind of child play in some form. Alaska, Montana, my own home state of Maine… places where a resource-based economy is alive or where people hunt and fish and farm.

The changing relationship to nature in America has many facets to explore. What is our understanding of what happens when animals die? How is that changing? For parents? For children? For a child at play?

One of the guiding evocations we are working hard to include in this film is the capacity of children to behold the earth.   This video clip contains a few thoughts from Cal DeWitt.