After you have watched the video and responded, read the post and answer the discussion questions that follow (or comment on anything you want to comment on):
Day 2 – Lake Maynara
Day 2 – Lake Maynara
Never have I seen the sun more perfect than during a sunrise at Lake Maynara. As part of the Rift Valley, which is the setting for Hemingway’s Green Hills of Africa, Lake Maynara is set between a valley of mountains on either side. We had our first game drives here, seeing giraffes, elephants, zebras, gazelles, wildebeests, and buffalo in the wild for the first time in our life.
Sunrise in the Rift Valley, which is the setting of Green
Hills of Africa
In Green Hills of Africa, Hemingway hunts kudu, which are mainly found in the forests higher up the valley than where we were; therefore, we didn’t get to see any that day, so I’ll let Hemingway describe them: “In the five days I saw a dozen or more kudu cows and one young bull with a string of cows. The cows were big, gray, striped-flanked antelope with ridiculously small heads, big ears, and a soft, fast-rushing gait that moved them in big-bellied panic through the trees” (Hemingway 101).
Hemingway with kudu cows.
Sunrise in the Rift Valley, which is the setting of Green
Hills of Africa
In Green Hills of Africa, Hemingway hunts kudu, which are mainly found in the forests higher up the valley than where we were; therefore, we didn’t get to see any that day, so I’ll let Hemingway describe them: “In the five days I saw a dozen or more kudu cows and one young bull with a string of cows. The cows were big, gray, striped-flanked antelope with ridiculously small heads, big ears, and a soft, fast-rushing gait that moved them in big-bellied panic through the trees” (Hemingway 101).
Hemingway with kudu cows.
Many of the antelope with horns seen in the video are cousins of the kudu cows.
Day 3 and 4 – Serengeti
We spent 2 days on the Serengeti, and it showed us the most wildlife of all the places we visited. Here is where we saw our first lion, which is the animal responsible for Macomber’s act of cowardice. I have to admit, the first time a lion walked up to the car, I got a little worried. It doesn’t take long before you realize how vulnerable you are on safari, and if any of these animals really wanted to, all they would need to do is jump up on the car and your only option would be prayer. This gave me the sense of fear that was in Hemingway when he shot his first lion and had to go into the long brush, gun drawn, to make sure it was dead. And if the lion wasn’t, then a precise, second shot was needed while 500 pounds charges with only the thought of killing you for having put it in such a position. Because Hemingway felt so strongly about writing what you know, I’m sure he empathizes with Francis Macomber. As you can see from the picture below, Hemingway was placed in the same position as Francis, and surely felt the same cowardice thoughts urging him to run that got the best of Macomber.
But what really impressed me about the Serengeti was the experience of nature as an observer. There are no cages, no one to feed these animals, no one to help them if they’re injured or sick. The only governing law is the law of nature, and it is cruel at times. Here, survival is truly survival. It’s not measured by happiness, or wealth; it’s measured by staying alive. Death looms over the plains for some like the umbrella trees scattered across the landscape, while life remains the only reward. Animals on the lower rung of the chain move with an attentiveness that is restrictive. Ostriches approach water points with the reluctance of a scared child, and gazelles walk with a delicate timidity that looks ready to run at all times.
This constant fear throughout the country seemed to be something that the animals lived with, but not in a way that seemed helpless, nor did it create compassion, as if we were all so cruel for not wanting to save a gazelle from becoming a lion’s dinner. Of course there’s a tinge of sympathy for the dying animals, but if they didn’t die, then what would become of those animals that rely on their death to live?
What are your thoughts on “the survival of the fittest”? How does this concept apply to America? How does America’s concept of survival of the fittest differ from Tanzania’s? How are they alike?
it makes you fill how life is different around the world. there were different animals everywere and there were animals that look like they are not scared to get killed by other animals. they are wild animals that like to stay around there own little space by there family. Its was like if there were in a safe plays but to many thing to get killed, it looks like a nice plays to be in by the pictures but its not.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the whole fact that you are in awe about it being nature. Nature is nature there, no supression or anything to tell it otherwise. Compared to America, the safari animals are caged here and there to look at for us. There really is no surivial of the fittest. Nature wise but social wise, that's what we are all about. But overall we are the same, we both stride to survive.
ReplyDeleteLucero & Rose
Jamie:
ReplyDeleteI think that the concept of “survival of the fittest” was truly shown in your trip to Africa. All of the animals there in the Serengeti were dependent on only themselves to find and provide food and water for their own survival. They were not in any type of human control and the people there didn’t help the animals because they themselves also had to survive. Here in America, the same concept is a bit different. We still must provide ourselves with food and water, but the task is much simpler here. We have stores and restaurants that provide these things for us if we simply pay for it. Not many people are forced to hunt for their dinner everyday. Also, the scenery and wildlife of Africa makes me want to visit too. It looks like you were in the inside of a zoo, and I wish I could go there too.
There really isn't that much survival of the fittest in America as there is in Africa. In Africa its more intense for the animals because they are on there own. Not like in America where they are cared for.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, it really have you thinking. The wildlife frightens me because im terrified of animals,expically the ones i have never seen before. In America our version of survial is to, have food,a place to sleep, and some sort of entertamient to keep us going, while in Africa their way of surviving is having an education, food, and a family. America is completly different from Africa because we rely on people in our community to guide us and keep us going, while in Africa they have to do everything on their own. However were alike because we all have the same perspective on education and we all have to eat.
ReplyDeleteamerica and africa are diffrent because we dont have to be on the look out for lions like them.
ReplyDeletewell america's concept difers from tanzania's because in america people have what they need to survive and there are alot of benefits that the government gives out and plus they have more then they really need .. on the otherhand africa is a really poor place were there is lack of government, benefits, food, and water.. also anything is useful for them as long as they can survive the heat and dangers of africa's wildlife. And of course we are alike because every mammal needs water to survive focus is having water to survive food to eat and
ReplyDeleteEven America and Tanzania are two different places but they both have the same concept of survival of the fittest. The difference is that the people they have to look out for the dangerous animals. In America we need to look out for people and need to survive by living by check. The concept of the survival of the fittest applies everywhere. Tanzania have to do more things in order to have food and water. In America we need to work to have money and buy our own stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe animals in Africa are more in danger than the animals here in America. In africa the animals are on their own. They have no one to look out for them, unlike in America we care for them. We have zoo's and andmire the animals. We feed them, give them water, ect. But in Africa they are on thier own. Either they survive or they dont. :(
ReplyDeleteEven though “survival of the fittest” is very harsh, it is the law of nature and what allows organisms to survive and evolve. America is the same in a way in that everyone wants to thrive but only those few people with enough economic support behind them can make it. Tanzania’s “survival of the fittest” deals with actual survival out in nature while the American “survival of the fittest” has to do with Social Darwinism, basically “survival of the smartest and richest”.
ReplyDeleteWe think the survival of the fittest is well shown in Tanzania because the animals and the people both have to go out in find food to help themselves and also provide for their families. Unlike Tanzania, in America all we have to do is go to the store and pay for food to provide for our families. :)
ReplyDeleteAMANDA & LETICIA
The practice of “Survival of the fittest” in Africa by the animals and the tribes demonstrate how they do not have anyone to rely on, or nobody to help them, where as if you are in America you are expected no to rely ,but to accept help and be helped. Our concept of survival of the fittest really differs from Tanzania because, America is a country where you are taught to help if it’s necessary, but in Tanzania, the animals and the people don’t wait for no one to help them they know how to survive and they do it because that’s how they were taught weather it’s an animal or a person.
ReplyDeleteIn the survival of the fittest things are much more different here since we have what we need here without having to stuggle for anything since were so accustumed to have things given hand by hand and obviously there they have to fight for what is theirs.
ReplyDeleteThe scenery&wildlife pictures make me feel almost helpless for animals. When looking past the animals you see dry land/grass. It looks extremely hot&humid. I can do nothing but feel sorry for them. Survival of the fittest is in some ways the same&dif. here in America&Tanzania. In America, people strive to look the best. They need to be the wealthiest, smartest, well known people out there. They’ll do anything to get that way, even if it means taking others down. In Africa, the people&animals are just doing what they can to hope the best for there descendants. Yet also, will do what they can in order to achieve it.
ReplyDeleteYour trip truly shows how Tanzanian sotf is different from American sotf because in Tanzania their survival deals with surving the wild enviroment they live their harsh enviroment in as well as learn how to coexist with the wildlife. Here in America however we don't have to wrestle with lions but we do still face many other difficulties that are equally dangerous. Everyday an American steps outside with the chance of falling to gangcrime, drunk driving, or another mishap while balancing going to school/work and possibly taking care of a family. Tanzanian survival is in no way inferior to American but there are some ways where the two exceed each other or are on equal grounds.
ReplyDeleteIn survival of the fittest is more different from what you have than from what you want because in survival of the fittest you have to struggle day by day to get what you need. I think it differs because here in America people have more opportunities than in Tanzania, over there people struggle more and have to work hard to get anything they want even animals are tortured worse over there than here in
ReplyDelete"survival of the fittest"for the africans its there daily lives ,they have to constantly have to fight for what they need and work with what little that they do have.
ReplyDeletethe topic of survival of the fittest come in play with the americans by thee way we live our lives we are constantly worried about the non important things such as the clothes and food.
americans concept is so different then the one form the tanzanians because they are seeing life in a pespective that us as americans do see because we care about different things that dont matter
"survival of the fittest" in africa its there daily lives , africans are use to that environment of survival they communicate well with animals. However americans they are not use to live in the jungle or look for food or live in a tent they don't struggle for survival they have everything they need in their hand.
ReplyDelete''Survival of the fittest'' or only the strongest survive...in america it goes for the poor and the rich, industries, and big buissnesses, in africa it is so much different they have an everyday struggle to survive.the perspective on american and african survival is greatly different because our enviorment is completely opposite.
ReplyDeletein america survival of the fittest is shown by the people that have money and have jobs and a constent income. the people that have these thing are survining better than the people that dont have them. americas concept of "survival of the fittest" differs from tanzinias becuz in tanizinas they have to hunt and kil for there food and here in america all we have to do is buy the food.
ReplyDeleteI think the whole concept of survival of the fittest is completely dumb in my opinion. Every person has the right to live. Period. It's an outdated concept, lets face it. You need to be fit to survive, but you also need your brain. The human brain is the reason we are the dominant species on the planet! We used to need to be fit, yes. But we would have frozen in winter without the intelligence to light a fire or to create tools to hunt! so maybe a better term would be 'survival of the best all round human', although that's pretty wordy. Put it this way, you can live without your body, but not your brain. When it come to the difference in Tanizians people have to hunt & kill for the daily meal ; And in America all we have to do is go to the store & buy what we need, especially what we want.
ReplyDeleteMarissa Breuss
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on "Survival of the fittest" is that it can be hard trying to survive obviously in many different situations.
In america all that means is that people with the money are going to last, people that don't have much money aren't going to make it far.
In Tanzania people have to go out and actually look for their food, they have to go and hunt. They can't just go to the store and just by fresh produce they have to grow them. While in america all we have to do is just walk into a store and bam we can get what we need, and with them being the same we all have to try to survive. No matter what situations.
its a cycle, a living thing has to die for another living thing to live, whether it be a antelope to a lion, or a fruit to a person, things die to give life; in america we have survival of the fittest and smartest in certain areas but it revolves around a symbol... money; survival of the wealthiest, we categorize each other on what we own... who cares if you got a new car or some "nice" curtains when theres people who look upon a loaf of bread as a luxury. humans are born with certain instincts like when there in danger, they will do almost anything to survive, when they forget about that is when there screwed
ReplyDeleteit really is a cycle of life only the fittest keep living it just life. For america it is more for getting more money and getting your name well known. but for tanzania people it is more about getting food and to see if they are going to live the next day. For the two different type of people we have two different problem.
ReplyDeletei believe that the fittest won is met to survive. The person with the most money would come out win. It differs that in africa the animals don't have any rules to live by they just go on instic, and there alike because if your not fittest you will lose.
ReplyDeleteWell in Africa, the people there have to survive on their own everyday, for instance for food they have to hunt their own food or find their own food to eat and to feed their family. Us in America have jobs and education and we make money to buy food and to feed our family and we have schools, and also cloths we stay warm in , and electricity, and a warm or cold house to live in. but people in Africa live in tents or home made house they have it harder. but in some way we both have survival to the fittest, we both struggle everyday to keep food in our stomach and to take care of our family, we just do it in a different way.
ReplyDeletesomebody said that its hard for the animals out there then it is in america.and thats true and the animals would of had a chances if this man wasn't going out there and killing these animals.why don't he just let them animals live there life i don't believe in what Hemingway is doing to this animals.HE SHOULD BE STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletethe survival of the fittest of tanzania and america both have the same concept of living to survive, however both places have their own situation. In Tanizan, the tanizians work to survive by killing animals and constructing your own shelter. In American , people find jobs and use the money for obligations.
ReplyDeleteIn wildlife "survival of the fittest" is basiclly what the wild is bout trying to survive and maintain live.For the tanzania is a thing of every day of their life but for us is not. We try to do our best not to get to that poitn but its applies to america too. How well we don't really have gotten to the point were we have to survive like the wild does.We are similar on the fact that we work to get the things we need to leave. But the difference is the way we live to survive.This wildlife is iteresting yet get me as the reder thinking bout the difference in "survival of the fittest". Lisa T.
ReplyDeleteWell “the survival of the fittest” evreything in the wild life. It matters if you will survive the following days or maybe even hours. This concept applies to america in a way. Like if your trying to find a well paid job, only the poeple or the person that is certified or with more expiriance will get it. America's concept of survival of the fittest differs from Tanzania in a way, like in the U.S. we dont have to struggle to get food, all we need is like five dollers or not even that much and you can go get something to eat from McDonalds which is right across the street of our school. and in Tanzania they have to find there food in the forest like Picking them of trees or bushes, hunting an animal so they can eat meat, but when hunting for the animal the must be cotious. there are other bigger stronger animals waiting to fest on that same animal or even you. These are alike in some way, some people in the U.S. struggle to get food for them or there family. in Tanzania they struggle even harder to get there next meal or shelter.
ReplyDelete-Angel Jimenez
i dont think the "survival of the fittest" fit with america.in america the animals are in cages, but in africa the animals are on there own. they fight and kill to survive. and how people survive in america is vary different all we need is sleep, food and entertamint. But people in africa want education and food
ReplyDeleteSurvival of the fittest in America is not as straightforward and literal as it is in Tanzania. In Tanzania, both the people and the animals have to be fit and strong in order to acquire their food and survive. On the other hand in America its drastically different, while people don't actually have to be physically fit to survive, they do have to be at least moderately educationally and economically fit.
ReplyDeleteThe food chain in Africa is so much more apparent than it is here in Houston. But the Darwinism process does still exist in human society, yet it barely has any affect anymore. Tat though makes you wonder if humanity may start "de-evolving"
ReplyDeleteSurvival of the fittest is almost non existent in the United States unless you count the ghetto and living off that welfare check... Even then it's not hardcore like in Africa. The US has it as good as it gets, un like Africa we can walk down the street and find a place to buy raw meats and other necessities; however we are alike because either way we have to work hard to buy, or get what we need.
ReplyDeleteSurvival of the fittest is much more used common in africa than in the US wich probably makes the much more independent because the work alittle harder than us to get what they need.
ReplyDeletethe video shows how the different aspects of life and natural blend into a perrfect harmony of balance and emotions and seeing the pictures of the animal you see the savage and peaceful part of nature.
ReplyDeleteSurvival of the fittest is the catalyst of progression. While perceived as cruel by the majority, from an objective standpoint it is beneficial to society. When the weak die, only the strong remain. Subsequently the genetic traits which made them strong are passed on. This is natural selection, and without it there would be stagnation.
ReplyDeleteCapitalism, the economic system America is based on, is synonymous with survival of the fittest. The sole difference being death is swapped with success. Survival is not typically a legitimate concern in America. Those on the bottom of the social food chain are merely unsuccessful, while the strong rise to the top of this hierarchy. Subsequently a ruling class and a working class are established.
In Tanzania, there are no levels of success. There isn't a ruling class, nor a working class; merely the living. While both America and Tanzania function through survival of the fittest, survival is only a legitimate concern in one.
My thought for survival of the fittest is in america survival of the fittest is shown by the people that have money and have jobs and a constent income. And the emotions in the pictures are showing that the animals are savage and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteHaseeb S.
In Tanzania it's about getting a decent meal to get through the day, but in the United States it's about moving up the ladder in how much money you can make and getting the best of everything. These two environments are totally different in every single way. The way we don't we worry about certain things like clothes, money, appearance, etc. are unimportant for them.
ReplyDeleteThe survival of the fittest basically, the name just says it all, for instance the slide show that shows that if you are able to adapt to the environment you can live another day
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting way of connecting and think about how people are suffering and overcome their fear of have a day and the next day waking up another day.
ReplyDeleteManuel Hernandez
The scenery feels calm and tranquil.
ReplyDeletein this region, the only necesitties to live are getting a way to feed yourself or family. villagers and other afican residents get by hunting and looking for fruits and such. in america we just want to money for the better things america offers, and this causes greed.
ReplyDeletethis is a dog eat dog world. you have to kill to stay alive. i agree that an animal killing another is wrong,but an animal surviving on the death of another is necesary. the chain of life is what life depends on and i have no debate or argument against that.
Seeing different animals is really inspiring it makes you wonder what else is on the world.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for the animals because they don"t have anyone to feed them or care for them. Survival of the fittest means that only the ones that are strong enough are capable of surviving than the ones that are injured or sick.
ReplyDeleteIts sad how cruel nature sometime . the state of mind of the wild as they fight to survive out there .
ReplyDelete