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  • Essay / Devaluation of walking in “Walking and The Suburbanized Psyche” by Rebecca Solnit

    In “Walking and the Suburbanized Psyche,” Rebecca Solnit, art critic and author of Wanderlust: A History of Walking, argues that suburbanization has fragmented the connection of our body, the world and the imagination created by walking. The spread of the automobile and suburbanization have led our society to devalue walking. Solnit believes that if walking continues to be devalued by our society, we will be unable to interact with others and distance ourselves from doing good. I disagree with Solnit's assertion that devaluing walking would lead to a loss of imagination, of our bodies, and of the world. Walking is not the only activity that can promote the imagination, the world and the body. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay If walking continues to be devalued, Solnit says there would be a loss of imagination. There are certainly other activities besides walking that can help you imagine. Going to the gym to work out allows me to reflect on myself and think deep thoughts. Running on the treadmill relieves my stress and stimulates my imagination. In my experience, drawing and painting bring me the same benefits. There is no limit to how one can imagine. Any activity can help you imagine and it is wrong to say that only walking does it. Solnit must take into account people with disabilities. Are they not capable of imagining? Not everyone is able to walk and cross. Solnit is basically saying that those who are disabled don't have the ability to imagine. This contradicts his assertion that if walking were to be devalued, our ability to imagine would be lost. There are certainly other ways that can help us imagine rather than walk. Solnit must consider various factors before asserting that walking is the only way to stimulate the imagination. Solnit argues that walking should be valued more in our society. I don't think there is anything enjoyable about walking since that's what we all do. It is something that is part of us and cannot be taken away. It's not a special activity or anything out of the ordinary. Solnit says people should try walking more. She talks like no one walks or hardly ever walks. We all walk in one form or another, whether it's a short distance or a long distance. There are two types of walking: voluntary walking and necessary walking. Voluntary walking involves walking somewhere of your own free will, while necessary walking involves going to class or work. Solnit also says there is a lack of natural space in our communities. Cities like Los Angeles and New York have high population density. There is barely enough space to meet the growing population and demand. Asking for more natural space is almost impossible in these areas. In addition, in these areas, the sidewalks are not passable due to cars going off the sides. Los Angeles' sidewalks are cracked and held open by tree roots, making walking virtually impossible. Solnit must take into account that walking is impossible depending on the passability of the terrain and surrounding areas. Solnit says reducing walking would result in a loss of our interaction with the world. In other words, this means that we will lose our interaction with others and with our society. Walking does not necessarily lead you to have conversations with people..