The Center for PostNatural History focuses on a field of studies known as the “PostNatural.” This term describes any process in which humans have intentionally modified the evolution of species of organisms.
Inside, visitors are greeted by a spider-silk-spinning, BioSteel™ Goat and alcoholic rat. Initially, it’s common for visitors to assume that PostNatural studies are at the forefront of modern technology. Although this is partly true, PostNatural history has actually existed for thousands of years. Over this time, it’s trickled into parts of our everyday life – from the pets we call family to the food that we eat.
If the term PostNatural is taken literally (after-nature), does it imply that the field is progressive, or unnatural? This is a question that cannot be easily answered, and thus is the reason why the idea of PostNatural science has received so much controversy. Some believe it has been an effective way to advance scientific understanding. For example, the cure for polio was discovered by genetically manipulating rats. Others argue that it’s immoral, unnecessary, and has negatively impacted the environment. These people may point to instances of animal cruelty and environmental destruction caused by PostNatural involvement. Because everyone’s view of nature, and what is natural, is unique, there will most likely never be a universal acceptance of PostNatural studies.
Regardless, understanding how humans have impacted the environment has led us to learn more about our planet, and the organisms we share it with. What scientists, historians, and every day people have learned through PostNatural studies alike, is that every aspect of the environment that humans have altered has in return, altered humans.
Man(made)’s Best Friend
One of the first, and most prominent forms of PostNatural science began with the domestication of canines. Scientists believe that grey-wolves gradually began to interact, and live near humans throughout the Stone Age. During this time, wolves gathered around human-built campsites in search of leftover food.
The earliest dog species trace back to Iraq, Israel-Palestine, and Germany. Bones found in these locations are said to be around ten thousand years old. What researchers have learned from this is that dogs began to evolve separately from wolves around the time of the Agricultural Revolution. With the advent of agriculture, humans began eating less meat, and more plants. Because wolves had become accustomed to eating the garbage and leftovers of humans, they too also began eating less meat. Over generations, this change in diet affected genes for cholesterol transport, metabolism and digestion in both humans and dogs (“How the Agricultural Revolution Impacted Man's Best Friend"). Thus, it is believed by researchers that humans and dogs co-evolved.
Throughout their co-evolution, the relationship between humans and dogs became mutually beneficial. Humans fed and took care of dogs, and in return, dogs were used for protection, hunting, and sled-pulling. Because dogs were available to humans for herding and land-work, farmers could acquire more sheep and goats ("History of Dogs and Wolves"). Humans and dogs have even mutually evolved in their brain chemistry over time, and both species have seen similar shifts in levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that effects mood. This coevolution of serotonin is why humans experience lowered stress, anxiety, depression, and aggression while petting dogs (Weaver). By feeding and caring for canines, humans influenced the evolution of dogs, and to this day dogs continue to impact the lives of humans.
As in the case of domestication, unfortunately, the impact humans have had on dogs has not been entirely positive. As people began breeding dogs more selectively, the demand for pure-bred dogs increased. This excessive inbreeding has caused certain types of dogs to develop health issues. For example, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a type of dog that are now are almost exclusively pure-bred, have developed genetic susceptibility to twenty-five disorders. These dogs often develop severe hip and eye issues, and have a lifespan of only seven to ten years. Additionally, English Bulldogs have evolved though pure-breeding to have such large heads that they can only be born through caesarian section.
While many people think selective breeding produces better, or more “pure” dogs, it has actually negatively affected the health of certain dogs throughout their evolution. Because domestication has become such a common practice over time, many people often forget how it began. With this being said, PostNatural involvement balances on a thin line between what is progressive, and what is detrimental.
Our Footprint
Sometimes, PostNatural involvement can effect the environment. Recently, the public has become more concerned about climate change. Environmental-activist groups and politicians such as Bernie Sanders have advised people to become more aware of their “global footprint,” or the influence they have on the environment – but their ideas are not new.
The publication, Superheros of Science, tells the story of Rachel Carson, an environmental activist who contributed to the environmental movement in the 1960s. Her book, Silent Spring, suggests that in order to prevent the destruction of the environment, the use of pesticides must be greatly reduced.
Pesticides were first popularized in 1945, and most people viewed them as a major scientific achievement. A little less than twenty years later, Carson publishedSilent Spring, and the world was shown a darker side to insect-killing.
One of Carson’s major concerns in Silent Springwas the spreading of the harmful chemical, DDT, through pesticides. Originally, the chemical aimed to kill certain pesky insects, such as fire ants, mosquitos and beetles. DDT ended up causing many unintended effects. Over time, unwanted insects became immune to DDT, and the pesticide’s effects became negligent to them. DDT wiped out local populations of organisms crucial to the environment, such as bees and birds. Food and water were also contaminated by pesticides, and people worried about what effects human consumption of these chemicals might entail. Carson accurately sums up this worry in Silent Spring, writing “They should not be called 'insecticides' but 'biocides'" (Carson 19).
Carson spread her ideas, and prospective solutions through her writing. Her activism led to a presidential commission on behalf of John F. Kennedy for her work, and the eventual banning of DDT. She is remembered as an activist, whose work has inspired generations since. Her ideas are relevant to PostNatural history because they involve humanity’s complex relationship with the environment. By spraying pesticides, humans altered their environment, and in return have had to adjust their own global footprint to protect the lives of other beings.
The Center of it All
The Center for PostNatural history presents a wide array of ways in which humans have intentionally modified their environment. Its displays are thought-provoking, inspiring, and sometimes even a bit unsettling.
PostNatural involvement has lead to a range of consequences – some good, and some bad. It is the reason why we dogs are man’s best friend, and it’s also why we have pollution, and some organisms have become endangered.
In light of this controversy, the owner of The Center, Richard Pell, says he wants his museumto be a
“Place for people of different viewpoints to talk, and hopefully come up with ideas.”
The conversation about PostNatural history is one that has lasted, and will continue to last for thousands of years. What The Center for PostNatural History adds to this conversation is the idea that the relationship between humanity and the environment is anything but one-sided - Every time humans alter their environment, it in turn, alters them.
Work Cited
Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Penguin in Association Wth Hamish Hamilton, 1962
Chan, Melissa. “National Dog Day: How Dogs Were Domesticated From Wolves.” Time, Time, 25 Aug. 2016, time.com/4459684/national-dog-day-history-domestic-dogs-wolves/.
Dickman, Nancy. Superheros of Science. Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2015
History of Dogs and Wolves – Quatr.us Study Guides.” Quatr.us Study Guides, 12 June 2017, quatr.us/economy/history-dogs-wolves.htm
“How the Agricultural Revolution Impacted Man's Best Friend.” The Gettysburgian., 14 July 2017, gettysburgian.com/2017/01/how-the-agricultural-revolution-impacted-mans-best-friend/.
Valentine, Ben. “A Museum for Our Postnatural Age.” Hyperallergic, Hyperallergic, 23 Feb. 2016, hyperallergic.com/271709/a-museum-for-our-postnatural-age/.
Weaver, Jane. “Puppy Love -- It's Better than You Think.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 8 Apr. 2004, www.nbcnews.com/id/4625213/ns/health-pet_health/t/puppy-love----its-better-you-think/#.WtlNcC_MzEY.