the use of refuse
Originally posted November 29, 2007
The dump here in Dawson is famous for its free store. People go to all the trouble of bringing all their stuff up into the area, but do not want to take it away again. It is easier just to sell it or throw it away. This practice started during the gold rush; when people were going back “outside” they left most of their belongings behind because everything was cheaper to replace than to ship out again. When people moved away, houses were sold with all the contents.
Here is a car which was recycled in situ to become part of a retaining wall along the alley at the back of a property (this is not at the dump, but right in town). Actually there are at least three vehicles built into this wall, but this photo shows only one of them. The detail that caught my eye was the sapling growing out of the rear window. That to me is evocative of how nature would rebound if we were not so assiduously stamping it out. However, despite a wave of environmental awareness every decade or so, our civilization’s war on nature is proceeding full speed ahead.
Cities are naturally the best place for garbage because it all blends in. But in the wilderness, every little bit of garbage stands out, and really brings up the question, what are we supposed to do with all our stuff?
