Planet Fetisher or Planet Manager (Class Reading)

            These are two terms which are used in Evan Eisenberg’s Ecology of Eden. He uses these terms to describe the two sides of the present debate on how the preservation of the planet should be achieved. The Planet Fetishers seek to return the earth to the state of the Garden of Eden. They want to exist in harmony as co-livers with the rest of nature; man, animal, and plant would all live together in peace without trying to climb on top of each other in a master’s rule. This view, if understood correctly, seems to misunderstand the status of man within the Garden of Eden. Man was put in dominion over plant and beast. This was not to be a tyrant’s rule but to be one of care and love. It is, in fact, a station over the plants and animals though. The Planet Managers want a paradise which is man-made and managed by humans alone. This view also misunderstands what man’s dominion over the planet is supposed to be. It is not supposed to be a tyranny; it is also not supposed to be man-made. Both of these views have positive and negative points depending on which issue is being addressed. It is, in my opinion, unwise to completely side with one side on every issue.