Reading Form: Lawn People

1. Identify the "object" of the argument (balance between the overly broad and narrow).   25 points

The major objective of the argument is to express author’s worries about the  serious risks posed to human health and ecosystem viability by high-input lawn systems. Robbins (2007, p2) examine the object through the lens of political and economic dimensions. From political perspective, the author discovers that lawn culture is actually rooted in the European culture. So to speak, lawn is very similar to a commodity such as a vehicle. In this sense, the demand of chemical inputs on these lawns are actually driven by urban growth and class aesthetics. The search for consumer-lawn markets is driven by declining margins in the worldwide chemical trade

2. Identify argument (must be contestable statement) 25 points

People love to have, maintain and care their lawns because of a collective culture of being an American.

Comment:

To keep a lawn is also part of their interests even though it may generate conflicts between the human society and the natural environment.

3. Identify evidence (how does the author try to convince you of their argument) 25 points

In the first argument, Robbins use the entire second chapter to elaborate why the Lawn is an expression of American culture. American people, mostly European decedents, tend to occupy places well beyond the confined area. To keep a lawn does reflect this culture. Even though a lawn may adversely affect the nearby ecological system and agrarian land, Americans will still have and maintain a lawn if possible (Robbins, p22). The author has cited many tangible previous literature and pictures tot support his argument. It convinces me that to own a lawn is a part of American culture.

4. Identify the relationship to the argument to another course lecture/ concept/ reading (at least one, not all of them, just one) 25 points

“Lawn People” is closely related to the concept of American Exceptionalism. It is a belief that the U.S is always unique and special because exceptionalists have a positive and optimistic view on social and societal transformation. They also believe that the country can learn from the past and change the future with historical consciousness. On one hand, the American lawn has been significantly influenced by European and colonial history. The American Lawn is small where vegetables and flowers can be grown. Meanwhile the American lawn was an impressive sweep of short grass that produces an aristocratic (European) aesthetics. The European and colonial history do have a remarkable influence on American lawn. But it fundamentally shows that American history is also unique. In my opinion, the lawn now is neither an aristocratic garden nor an colonial landscape. It is rather unique and exceptional.

Reference

Robbins, P. (2007). Lawn people: How grasses, weeds, and chemicals make us who we are. Temple University Press.