Treadwell and Herzog have polar opposite views of nature. Treadwell feels its healing power; he believes that the grizzly bears and the Alaskan outdoors cured his alcoholism and are fulfilling his life's purpose. Herzog feels that nature has a rather grand indifference to the lives, goals, and existence of human beings, and he believes that the "common denominator" of all nature is destruction and murder.
I think that my view of nature is somewhat in between these two polarities. On the one hand, I acknowledge and feel the beauty of nature. It is enormous and vast and can fill a person, so I understand how Treadwell feels solace in the wilderness. My disagreement with Treadwell comes when he begins to believe that he can influence the lives of the bears. I think that Herzog is right about the impracticality of Treadwell's view of nature; there may be a kind of harmony within nature, but that harmony is contingent upon the sacrifice of some lives. Mourning the natural death of a grizzly cub at the paws of another bear is ridiculous; as humans, we have to accept that individuals are meaningless; it is our contributions to the greater circles of the world that give us meaning.
Treadwell sees the beauty and greatness of nature, but he also sees himself as a kind warrior and the protector of the bears. I see the beauty of nature, but I agree with Herzog that humans cannot interfere with nature in that way. I don't know if I agree wholeheartedly that nature's initial and intrinsic power is one of destruction and death, but I do believe that destruction and death are part of the greater beauty. Nature is neither perfectly good or entirely evil. It must be allowed to be a neutral force in order to function as it is meant to.
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