The hottest Nature Substack posts right now

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The Ethics of Spinoza's Ethics

Strange Wonder • 117 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Nature
  1. Spinoza's philosophy is centered around therapeutic and ethical principles.
  2. Spinoza views human emotions and actions as natural phenomena that follow universal laws.
  3. He rejects the idea of humans as separate from nature and emphasizes the importance of reason and understanding in his ethics.

Born to Be Wild: Introducing John Muir

Meaning || Matter • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. John Muir is a key figure in American environmentalism known for his love of nature and work in preserving national parks, especially Yosemite. He believed that people should connect with nature to truly appreciate and protect it.
  2. Muir saw wilderness as a source of spirituality, teaching that we can learn and find God through nature. He practiced a form of transcendentalism that emphasized loving and understanding the wild rather than conquering it.
  3. Muir's writing served as a way to bring people closer to nature, acting like an evangelist for the wilderness. His vivid descriptions aimed to inspire others to experience and care for the natural world.

McLure

Splattern • 99 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Nature
  1. Leaving a warm home can be really tough, especially when the food is delicious and the company is great. It's hard to say goodbye to comforts like good cooking.
  2. Meeting new people on the journey can be rewarding. For example, Liam shared his farm life and offered food and company, making the experience special.
  3. Community involvement is important, especially during emergencies. People often show up to help in crises, but it's better if they're prepared and involved beforehand.

Montana: Lost Cause or Last Best Place?

The Recovering Academic • 217 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. Montana is a place with rich and contradictory views held by outsiders, often portrayed as either a wild frontier or an idyllic refuge.
  2. People in Montana embrace a blend of conservatism and libertarianism, where neighbors with opposing political views can still live harmoniously.
  3. Living in Montana can be challenging economically, requiring trade-offs and adaptability in industries like logging, teaching, or remote work.
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The Big Yard: Notes from a Pajama Birdwatcher

The Big Yard • 216 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🔬 Science Nature
  1. The author had a remarkable August with 85 different bird species in their yard.
  2. They are amazed by the rare bird sightings like the flame-colored tanager and Allen's hummingbird.
  3. The author notes the distractions of everyday tasks and wonders what other birds they might be missing.

The Sun Rose Anyways

Restoring Truth • 216 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Nature
  1. The world may be in chaos, but nature continues its cycles without our help.
  2. Cities facing decay often align with leftist ideologies, leading to crime and incompetence.
  3. The laws of nature and God offer a blueprint for order and protection against human schemes.

Life Abounds

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. Baby animals, like marmots and geoducks, can be very cute and inspire joy in nature. People often feel a nurturing instinct towards baby animals, similar to how they feel about human babies.
  2. The recovery of wildlife can surprise researchers, as seen with western toads at Mt. St. Helens after the eruption, which thrived in new conditions.
  3. Many baby marmots survive their first winter, which is good news for their populations. Cute baby animals help us connect with nature and remind us of the importance of wildlife conservation.

Forté #20

SJF • 98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. The author shares things that have recently inspired them, such as a magazine website with beautiful imagery and a moving video about living a fulfilling life as a craftsman.
  2. There is a reminder about minimizing unnecessary mental clutter by re-evaluating how we use social media during work breaks.
  3. An interesting website called Tree.fm allows users to listen to sound recordings of forests worldwide, offering a serene escape.

Welcome to Valemount

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Nature
  1. Running on tough, snowy roads is challenging, but using techniques like increasing cadence can help manage pain and keep you going.
  2. Emotional support from people around you can provide a great boost during tough times, reminding you that you are not alone in your journey.
  3. Staying warm and organized while camping is important. Setting up your tent correctly can make a big difference in comfort during cold nights.

Welcome to Kee’s and Claire Hut

Splattern • 99 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Nature
  1. Skiing at resorts can be overwhelming and less enjoyable, especially for those who are not frequent skiers. It's easy to feel lost and disconnected when surrounded by so many people in a busy place.
  2. Experiencing backcountry skiing can be much more rewarding. The sense of adventure, fresh snow, and connection with nature can create a more fulfilling experience.
  3. Just because something is expensive, like a resort lift ticket, doesn't mean it's better. Sometimes, more affordable options, like backcountry skiing, can bring more joy and satisfaction.

Why The Sky Smells Great

Everything Is Amazing • 1303 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🔬 Science Nature
  1. The smell of fresh air can impact our mood and health, like boosting immune cells when exposed to aromatic forest scents.
  2. Weather changes can create distinct smells, like the pre-storm smell of ozone or the earthy petrichor after rain.
  3. Our sense of smell may have deeper cultural and biological connections that we are still exploring.

The Big Yard: Notes from a Pajama Birdwatcher

The Big Yard • 196 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🔬 Science Nature
  1. The author shares experiences of birdwatching in their yard during winter.
  2. They have seen a variety of bird species, including some rare ones like the rufous hummingbird.
  3. The winter has brought unique bird sightings, such as the White-breasted Nuthatch and Cassin's Finch.

Escape to the Beach

Restoring Truth • 196 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Nature
  1. Nature provides a refreshing escape from the chaos of daily life.
  2. Beaches offer a sense of unity and camaraderie amongst diverse people.
  3. Spending time at the beach can bring a sense of contentment and new perspectives on life.

Waking up

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Nature
  1. Kids in the community get a chance to go heli skiing, which is a great opportunity for them. It's hard to imagine complaining about waking up for such an amazing experience!
  2. Working on a computer can really take a toll on your body, especially when you get caught up in what you're doing. Taking breaks is important to keep from feeling drained.
  3. Facing insecurity can be tough, but it helps you stay present and aware. It's a balance between finding comfort and pushing yourself to grow.

A Short Note About A Mistake

The Abbey of Misrule • 707 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. Be cautious of how your words can be hijacked by others for their own agendas.
  2. Make sure to research and clarify the background and intentions of any publication or platform that approaches you for content.
  3. Stand firm in your values and beliefs, and don't allow your writing to be used to support ideologies that you oppose.

Birdsong

The Commonplace • 1120 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. Take time to observe the beauty around you, like birdsongs and nature, instead of being consumed by technology.
  2. There is enchantment in the everyday environment if we open ourselves to see and hear it.
  3. Utilize technology, like bird identification apps, to learn more about the world around you and the beauty of nature.

Shifting The Shifting Baseline Syndrome

Surfing the Future • 99 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Nature
  1. System change can often creep up on us, and we adapt without realizing it, leading to the 'shifting baseline syndrome'. We tend to imagine today's world as how it was yesterday, which may not be the case.
  2. The concept of rewilding offers a chance to reset our baselines, allowing nature to rebound faster than expected. This shift could lead to 'Knepp' potentially becoming a verb symbolizing unexpected transformation.
  3. In the sustainability space, there has been a dilution of the original system change ambition over time due to mainstreaming. The concept of triple bottom line has evolved and must continue to adapt to drive urgent systemic changes.

Your feet shake the Earth through your skeleton all the way down into the soil, and the worms giggle

Soaring Twenties • 108 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. Walking barefoot on grass connects you to nature and feels amazing. It brings joy and a sense of playfulness.
  2. Being outdoors in the summer creates fun memories, like laughing and exploring with friends.
  3. Feeling the Earth beneath your feet makes you feel welcome and alive; it encourages you to enjoy life and adventure.

My visit to a dying local park

Technology, Environment, and Art • 99 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Nature
  1. Wildlife photography can reveal beauty that is hard to see in real life, but it may not capture the feeling of peace of just observing wildlife.
  2. Our consumerist and hyper-capitalistic system hides its destructive nature by providing entertainment and analgesics for its killing. It destructs relationships with nature.
  3. The need for a global philosophy and moral resolve to live harmoniously is essential for a sustainable future. Being around nonhuman life can inspire us to fight for solutions.

Walk like a man, stand like a tree.

Neckar’s Notes • 120 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. It's important to connect with nature, especially trees. Spending time with them can bring peace and insight into life.
  2. Trees symbolize strength and trust. They teach us to be grounded and embrace life's changes with grace.
  3. Walking through life involves movement and exploration, but we can learn a lot by simply being still and listening to the world around us.

There And Back Again

Soaring Twenties • 92 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. There are two different realities that people can experience, but they don't overlap and you feel different in each one. It takes time to appreciate how these realities affect your mind and feelings.
  2. In Finland, silence is very calming and the way people interact often doesn't involve much talking. It's a culture where personal space matters a lot and actions can speak louder than words.
  3. Nature in Finland is rich and vibrant, especially in spring and summer. It has a unique beauty that evokes strong emotions and memories for those who have lived there.

Rites Of Passage

Weekly Wisdom • 179 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. The author reflects on a year of writing with acknowledgements and a tribute to writing colleagues who provided support and inspiration.
  2. The author talks about heading into the backcountry desert for a trip, acknowledging the break in the streak of publishing as a moment of reconnecting with nature.
  3. The author expresses excitement and fears about the upcoming trip, highlighting the anticipation of stargazing in the desert and concerns about being perceived as the weakest link in the group.

Mistah Kurtz -- he dead. (I)

Life in the 21st Century • 176 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
📚 Literature Nature
  1. Complex systems are not well understood by breaking them down into single components.
  2. Technology simplifies complexity by applying uniform force, reshaping environments.
  3. Understanding and valuing the complexity of nature is crucial in our interactions with technology.

The Ocean Is Gay

Paging Dr. Lesbian • 176 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. Sabrina Imbler's book explores the unique lives of ocean creatures and connects them to personal experiences.
  2. The author, a queer, mixed-race individual, offers a different perspective in the realm of science writing.
  3. Imbler makes emotional connections between sea creatures and personal stories, adding depth to scientific facts.

To the dolphin that scared the hell out of me while I was surfing

That Damn Optimist • 87 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. Dolphins can surprise us in unexpected ways, like when they suddenly appear while surfing. Their presence can be both thrilling and a little scary.
  2. Even though dolphins might seem intimidating with their big fins and shadows, they also bring joy and life to the ocean. They can remind us that not everything that seems scary is harmful.
  3. Dolphins have a playful and musical side that can lift our spirits. Their playful leaps and sounds can feel like a celebration of life in the water.

Surprise pass

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Nature
  1. It was extremely cold at night, leading to difficulties in sleeping and some emotional moments remembering a beloved pet.
  2. The author had a surprising encounter with a ski expert who turned out to be their favorite ski author, leading to valuable information about local skiing.
  3. The author plans to explore Kootenay National Park next and values the experience of skiing in the backcountry.

A Family of Foxes

The Commonplace • 1058 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Nature
  1. The different seasons in our lives are marked by unique experiences and pre-occupations.
  2. Foxes, often seen as cunning, may actually exhibit caution and circumspection in urban environments.
  3. Watching animals in their natural behavior can have a calming and healing effect on human emotions.

Wendy Thompson Placeholder

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Nature
  1. The author is currently camping and may not have cell service for a few days.
  2. They are at the Wendy Thompson trailhead, which suggests a focus on outdoor adventure.
  3. The author wishes everyone a great day, indicating a positive and friendly vibe.