Analysis Of Intersections By Anna Tsing

As we start the quarter’s readings, a major concept that was discussed on Monday (10/05/15) is seen right away. “Domination, Domestication and love are deeply entangled,” suggests the usage of Intersections to compare and contrast various details. In the sentence followed, “Home is where dependencies within and among species reach their most stifling [constrained],” the author, Anna Tsing, gives an uncommon definition of home, giving it a scientific sensation rather than a literary. As we progress throughout the essay, the central theme is regarding the behavior and characteristics of mushrooms, in relation to other species and as individuals. Because of her descriptions and explanations on the mushroom’s behavior and characteristics, it can …show more content…
We usually interpret this line as humans being superior to the various species in the world, such as plants, animals and fungi, and this domesticating them for our benefits. However, Tsing invites the reader to create and view the relationship in a new perspective. This perspective is that the various species (plants, animals and fungi) actually domesticate us and help our culture develop uniquely. She begins by trying to capture the reader through a narrative-type introduction as well as introducing the argument’s roots. While this style for introducing the main root for the argument is confusing, it is essential to demonstrate the behavior of mushrooms and our roles as people in an interspecies relationship. As the author wanders, many times she “suddenly remembered every stump and hollow of the spot on which she stood –through the mushrooms I [she] encountered there” (Tsing, 142). As she continues, she expresses a revelation: “Familiar places are the beginning of appreciation for multi-species interactions” (Tsing, 142). She further backs this by explaining foraging working in this way for the majority of human history (Tsing, 142). To find various useful plants, animals, or fungi, the learning of familiar places was a necessity, as people would return to these areas repeatedly. It is then concluded that familiar places stimulates forms or identification and companionship …show more content…
The characteristics and behavior of the mushroom sets an example to reflect on our behavior in interspecies relationships, but to what extent should we model the mushroom’s behavior? While it is true that humans help one another and are not dependent as individuals, this behavior is only limited to humans and no other species. If we pursued this relationship, for example with our dog, where is the fine line that differentiates companionship and dependency? I see the following