It is the phenomenon made known by the marine biologist…
““It is the phenomenon made known by the marine biologist Daniel Pauly as the shifting-baseline syndrome. The world as first seen by the child becomes his lifelong standard of excellence, mindless of the fact he is admiring the ruins of his parents. Generation to generation, the natural world decays, the ratchet of perception tightens. Gradually, imperceptibly, big sharks give way to small sharks, small sharks to baitfish, baitfish to jellyfish to slime. On land, the big cats and wolves become feral house cats and coyotes. The wild standard sinks ever lower and becomes ever heavier to raise. Few notice, few care. Eventually, nobody remembers that wolves not long ago freely roamed the Adirondacks, and hence there is mad howling over the suggestion of returning them to their homeland. Southern Californians panic on learning that a cougar track has been discovered on the fringes of their gated neighborhood - mindless that cougars roamed these hills and canyons long before gated communities drew their lines in the chaparral.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage describes shifting baseline syndrome, where each generation's perception of nature's health declines as ecosystems degrade, leading to lower expectations and apathy.
In simple terms: Generations accept worsening nature as normal.
Key Takeaway
Raise awareness of environmental decline.
Themes
environment
generational perception
ecosystem loss
Mood
concerned
urgent
Type
environmental
educational
When to use this quote
- education
- policy making
- conservation activism
Key Concepts
ecology
psychology
cultural memory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we reset our environmental expectations?
- What actions can reverse perceived decline?
A Different Perspective
It may not account for resilience or restoration efforts.