This research arrives just as humans cross an important milestone: For the first time in history, the majority of people reside in cities. For a species that evolved to live in small, primate tribes on the African savannah, such a migration marks a dramatic shift. Instead of inhabiting wide-open spaces, we're crowded into concrete jungles, surrounded by taxis, traffic, and millions of strangers. In recent years, it's become clear that such unnatural surroundings have important implications for our mental and physical health, and can powerfully alter how we think.

This research is also leading some scientists to dabble in urban design, as they look for ways to make the metropolis less damagi...

This research arrives just as humans cross an important milestone: For the first time in history, the majority of people reside in cities. For a species that evolved to live in small, primate tribes on the African savannah, such a migration marks a dramatic shift. Instead of inhabiting wide-open spaces, we're crowded into concrete jungles, surrounded by taxis, traffic, and millions of strangers. In recent years, it's become clear that such unnatural surroundings have important implications for our mental and physical health, and can powerfully alter how we think.

This research is also leading some scientists to dabble in urban design, as they look for ways to make the metropolis less damaging to the brain. The good news is that even slight alterations, such as planting more trees in the inner city or creating urban parks with a greater variety of plants, can significantly reduce the negative side effects of city life. The mind needs nature, and even a little bit can be a big help.

When you think about it, though, you'll see that throughout history, people have become increasingly urbanized. Note also that, for better or worse, we reshape our environment to suit us. There are many examples of animal construction: beaver lodges and dams, birds' nests, burrows of various types and complexity. The most striking parallels are the social insects: bees, wasps, termites, who are the only other species I can think of offhand that engineer their own altered building materials. The point is, that the hallmark of humanity is building, which makes the city our natural habitat.

Maybe instead of homo sapiens (man the wise) we should call ourselves homo constructum (man the builde...

When you think about it, though, you'll see that throughout history, people have become increasingly urbanized. Note also that, for better or worse, we reshape our environment to suit us. There are many examples of animal construction: beaver lodges and dams, birds' nests, burrows of various types and complexity. The most striking parallels are the social insects: bees, wasps, termites, who are the only other species I can think of offhand that engineer their own altered building materials. The point is, that the hallmark of humanity is building, which makes the city our natural habitat.

Maybe instead of homo sapiens (man the wise) we should call ourselves homo constructum (man the builder) - especially since we often build without thinking.

(I'm not sure that Latin is quite correct).

Don't get me wrong by thinking I don't believe in the resonance we share with nature and the rejuvenating effects of tuning in to that. But I have to mention how dangerous it must be to put too much stock in articles such as this one that are based on 'what studies show us'.

The human organism has a powerful ability to adapt and use whatever resources are available. To allow our minds, our bodies, our very essence to be weakened simply because we live in the city is a gross neglect of the potential that resides within each of us.

Besides, there is nothing that exists on the earth that was not formed out of nature. As commented, the insects transmute matter to suit their needs and we are no...

Don't get me wrong by thinking I don't believe in the resonance we share with nature and the rejuvenating effects of tuning in to that. But I have to mention how dangerous it must be to put too much stock in articles such as this one that are based on 'what studies show us'.

The human organism has a powerful ability to adapt and use whatever resources are available. To allow our minds, our bodies, our very essence to be weakened simply because we live in the city is a gross neglect of the potential that resides within each of us.

Besides, there is nothing that exists on the earth that was not formed out of nature. As commented, the insects transmute matter to suit their needs and we are no different in our means. Concrete is rock, same as a mountain. Steel is as natural as the core of the planet.

If nothing else, the thing about urban environments that may need to be studied along these lines is the constant transmission of wireless devices. Power lines, telephone lines, cable networks, satellite, wi-fi, microwaves.. all these things put out frequencies that create a potential buffer between the energies and perceptions of the human body, and the unaltered resonance of the earth itself.

verbatim, but nonetheless: "The earth is a natural conductor of harmonic resonance." -Tesla

So, even if I cannot wade in the crystal streams of yesterdays, I can still be like water and flow with the currents that lead towards all the tomorrows.

Spiritualmonkey and I both feel strongly that Lake Merritt is the heart of Oakland and one of the things that makes living in a city like this possible.

I love Oakland, I really do. But it's noisy, crowded, and litter-strewn, and if there's a way for a city to shoot itself in the foot, we'll find it! Yay, us.

So I walk by Lake Merritt on my way home from work and stop to watch the geese, and ducks, and cormorants, and egrets, and herons, and pelicans, and scaups, and coots, and the funny little silvery fish that swim around so quickly and change directions so rapidly they wind up jumping out of the water and splashing dow...

Spiritualmonkey and I both feel strongly that Lake Merritt is the heart of Oakland and one of the things that makes living in a city like this possible.

I love Oakland, I really do. But it's noisy, crowded, and litter-strewn, and if there's a way for a city to shoot itself in the foot, we'll find it! Yay, us.

So I walk by Lake Merritt on my way home from work and stop to watch the geese, and ducks, and cormorants, and egrets, and herons, and pelicans, and scaups, and coots, and the funny little silvery fish that swim around so quickly and change directions so rapidly they wind up jumping out of the water and splashing down again... and after a little bit, it feels like the muscles around my heart unclench and I'm able to let go of the city-induced psychic armor (which you have to develop if you live in a city, or you'll go insane) at least a little.