Michael Kaelin

Humanities
Journal #11/Eportfolio Assignment:
Polemic: Industrial Tourism and the National Parks
By Edward Abbey
p. 573
One thing that I have been very fond of and close to in my life is nature. Ever since I was a
boy, I have loved being in the great outdoors and soaking in the warm, comforting sunshine.
When I found this reading, I did a brief overview and saw the word "Moab." Yes, this reading
refers to my home state and covers a story of a tourist location I have visited many times. For
this reason I have chosen this article to be my Eportfolio Assignment. Throughout this paper I
will strategically analyze the argument of this piece and then use my own credibility and
knowledge to share my argument and thoughts.
Edward Abbey graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in
philosophy. After this, he spent much of his time in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Abbey spent
his time writing books on the land and how it has been destroyed over the years. Many people
saw him as an environmental radical because most of his readings were centered around
hatred towards individuals who contribute to the destruction of landscapes. This knowledge
gave me insight into Abbeys arguments and philosophies in this reading. Industrial Tourism
and the National Parks, is a short reading in which Abbey uses the example of Moab, Utah, to
show how some of our national parks are succumbing to things that have better uses
elsewhere.
Like many of the National Parks, this place has evolved to become more suited for
tourists who still like to have the luxuries of home in the wilderness. Abbey makes a vivid image
of how these parks are invaded by writing from the point of view of a park ranger. In this reading
a ranger in Moab is enjoying the sun and quiet when he hears a jeep coming through arches.

While scurrying to find his badge and tickets, the jeep pulls into his driveway. It is a government
jeep and the informants inside let the ranger know that they are planning on building a new road
which will bring thousands of new visitors. The park ranger is in shock, and feeling rebellious,
but realizes there is not much he can do. Time passes and tourism climbs from 3,000 to
300,000 visitors. Abbey conveys the problems associated with this level of tourism. Abbeys
main argument is that National Parks should be protected and not succumb to automobiles and
modernization. In the reading he states, The first issue that appears when we get into this

matter, the most important issue and perhaps the only issue, is the one called accessibility.
The developers insist that the parks must be made fully accessible, not only to the people
but also to their machines, that is, to automobiles, motorboats, etc. Although parks must
strive for accessibility, Abbey explains that there are other ways to make these places
accessible, like horseback and biking. He argues that motors and wilderness are
incompatible, and the best way to experience, understand, and enjoy the wilderness is
when the machines are gone.
I myself have mixed feelings about Abbey's arguments. I think there are ways of
minimizing motors, and this is important, but these modes of transportation are also great ways
to more fully see the outdoors. I think that what needs to be take place is a stricter practice of
keeping people on trails. Most of the time the roads are not cutting off or destroying any of the
critically beautiful scenery, and it is a great way to be able to reach parts of the wilderness that
cannot be touched on foot. Other than this, I agree with and support Abbeys arguments. I also
think that we should dedicate more land to National Parks. Not only this, but I think that the US
government should encourage and assist other countries to do the same, especially those
countries who do not have the means to do so on their own. Oil and other companies are
destroying parts of the rainforest, and third world countries do not have the power or resources

to stop this. We, as human beings, are responsible to preserve the beauty of this earth for
ourselves and for future generations to come.