Topic > Devaluation of Walking in “Walking and The Suburbanized Psyche” by Rebecca Solnit

In “Walking and the Suburbanized Psyche,” Rebecca Solnit, art critic and author of Wanderlust: A History of Walking, argues that suburbanization has fragmented the connection of our body, world and imagination that was created by walking. The spread of cars and suburbanization have led our society to devalue walking. Solnit believes that if walking continues to be devalued by our society, we will not be able to interact with others and separate ourselves from the good. I disagree with Solnit's statement that the devaluation of walking would lead to a loss of imagination, our body, and the world. Walking is not the only activity that can benefit the imagination, the world and the body. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay If walking continued to be devalued, Solnit argues there would be a loss of imagination. There are definitely other activities besides walking that can help you imagine. Going to the gym to train allows me to reflect on myself and have deep thoughts. Running on the treadmill relieves stress and stimulates my imagination. From my experience, drawing and painting give me the same benefits. There are no limits to how you can imagine. Any activity can help you imagine and it is not correct to say that only walking does this. Solnit must take into account those who are disabled. Can't they imagine? Not everyone is able to walk and cross. Solnit basically says that disabled people don't have the ability to imagine. This contradicts his claim that if walking were devalued, our ability to imagine would be lost. There are certainly other ways that can help us imagine rather than walk. Solnit must take several factors into account before claiming that walking is the only way to foster the imagination. Solnit argues that walking should be more valued in our society. I feel like there's nothing to appreciate about walking because that's what we all do. It is something that is part of us and that cannot be taken away. It is not a special activity or something extraordinary. Solnit says people should try walking more. Talk as if no one walks or almost never walks. We all walk in some way, whether it is a short or long distance. There are two different types of walking: voluntary walking and necessary walking. Voluntary walking is when you walk somewhere of your own volition, while necessary walking is to go to class or work. Solnit also says our communities lack natural space. Cities like Los Angeles and New York have high population densities. There is barely enough space for the growing population and demand. Asking for more natural space is almost impossible in these areas. Furthermore, in these areas, the sidewalks are not passable due to cars exiting from the sides. Los Angeles sidewalks are cracked and propped up by tree roots, making walking virtually impossible. Solnit should take into account that walking is impossible depending on the walkability of the terrain and surrounding areas. Solnit says that reducing walking would lead to a loss of our interaction with the world. In other words, it means that we will lose our interaction with others and with our society. Walking doesn't necessarily lead you to conversations with strangers. It won't get you a date or a new friend. I walk about six miles a day, back and forth from classes to the dorm. The strangers I have.