about me

I grew up in Raleigh, where I did all my schooling from preschool to 12th grade. I’ve been in Boone for the last four years where I garnered an interest first in Sustainable Development from my first semester, specifically in Chuck’s Politics Technology and the Environment class. It didn’t take long for me to move quickly away from pre-professional biology which is what I came to Appalachain under the banner of. Since then I’ve found almost a split interest in the field of sustainability. I enjoy learning the philosophical ramifications of consumer society and the issues facing sustainability that stem from things as sensual construction of one’s reality and how current system marketing techniques have played into this development. I also feel a need to create tangible developments that do not necessarily create sustainable solutions, but move in the direction of sustainability. I believe that by increasing the true freedom of groups of people (i.e. the necessities for survival like food) yo0u can actually empower people against a system they may have life long reservations against but otherwise complete reliance on for survival. Since I understand many of the daunting cultural issues that cripple sustainability, I’ve decided to approach sustainability in terms of smaller, more practical steps towards sustainability that you can successfully market to at least middle class America. My hydroponics idea, which I will expand upon in later writings, goes along these lines.
I also enjoy promoting socially conscious ideals through fund raising and music. Music is my other great passion, and being able to find ways to mix the two and come out with better versions of both has been fun. Throwing concert events to support local non-profits and food drives- these are ways we have successfully brought the two together in the past. I hope to maintain and expand upon these events in the future. I play keyboards and hand percussion and have a couple of bands that play around on the local level.
When I graduate I plan to move “Pacific Northwestwards” to Washington or Oregon. There I plan on really expanding on these ideas and concepts while trying to finish graduate work. I think the university system will be the best medium for me to turn ideas into reality. If I could ever find a way to mix sustainable ideas with a large popular culture movement it would represent the culmination of all of my ideas on approaching sustainability.

Course List: Most valuable in getting me to this point

Intro to Sustainable Development- Chuck Smith
Politics, Technology & the Environment – Chuck Smith
Sustainable Development- Jeff Boyer
Globalization and Rural Development- Jeff Boyer
Meaning- Diane Mines
Bodies Places and Things- Richard Carp
Agroecology- Kristoff DenBiggelar
Sustainable Transport- Jack

Books: Fast Food Nation – very accessible, very influential
Second Nature, Michael Pollen
Botany of Desire, Michael Pollen
Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankel
Understanding Media, Marshall Mcluhan