| I'm fan of Thoreau and I live in Europe. I don't understand how exactly he shaped America? During the "Walden" period he lived simple, frugal life and invested his time into things he cared about (eg., measuring the depth of the Walden pond in winter). After his crops were ready for the harvest, he took them to the city and sold them with minimal effort, being fascinated by the fact that he didn't have to do almost anything, while he enjoyed all the luxuries of sensible, spiritual life. He wasn't only author that did such things, but the society really never cared or cares. Thoreau is forgotten, but for me, at least during his Walden period - he was a proper "hacker". I'm quite sure that he would condemn the mark of being one of these who shaped the America (or world), because this is not what he wanted. |
You answered that right below. That way that he lived is something that a lot of Americans dream of (myself included), just to have a little plot of land all to yourself and be with nature for a while.
> Thoreau is forgotten
Maybe in Europe, but not here. Thoreau is seen as having outlined a very idyllic life, especially for modern times, of living semi-lazily "off the grid".
> I'm quite sure that he would condemn the mark of being one of these who shaped the America (or world), because this is not what he wanted.
Such is the life of a reclusive artist :)
N.B. - Walden Pond is not some mystical place out in the middle of nowhere, it's just outside of Concord, NH[0], site of one of the first battles of the American Revolution just 70 years prior. So, while it was idyllic, it was not like Thoreau was that far away from civilization. The middle of Concord is less than 1.5 miles (2.4km) away from the north shore where Thoreau lived.
[0] - https://www.google.com/maps/place/Walden+Pond,+Concord,+MA+0...