The outsiders : slowing down Gen Y via techno-fasting and nature immersion

Abstract

Introduction: Today's western culture is characterized by techno-addiction, time compression and an alienation from the natural world. Objectives: What happens when a group of young adult students who are firmly embedded within this tech-savvy world, embark on a 6-day unassisted wilderness experience? Methods: Being divorced from the structural support of the everyday, and placed in an emotionally and physically taxing environment, one would imagine students would retreat to the security of the known world upon return. Using reflective journals and interview data we unravel the impact of the wilderness experience. Results: However, our study sheds new light on this phenomenon by revealing the antithesis. The students manifested a strong desire for a simpler life. What is the nature of the simpler life they envisage? What is its innate appeal? And what are the implications for those involved in outdoor/environmental education? Even if such a desire for a more primal existence were expressed, is it possible or probable, that this notion can be executed within the context of global environmental crisis? These findings hold significant weight for researching the notion of connectivity and the practice of sustainability. Conclusion: Our research proposes that a necessary precursor for sustainable living and a deep attachment to the environment is for educators to provide experiences that strip back the superfluity of everyday life and introduce bare subsistence. This facilitates the transition into a heightened and more sensitive environmental ethic.