the john muir exhibit - life - a great scot
John Muir - A Great Scot
From
Friends
of John Muir's Birthplace, September, 2009
September, 2009 - A Scottish television station, STV, wants to find out
who Scotland really thinks is that country's biggest hero. The
criterion for inclusion is: "anyone born in Scotland or anyone who
lived or
lives in Scotland and who has played a significant and lasting contribution
to
Scotland or humanity at large."
John Muir has been included in the list
of
nominations and will feature in a major new STV series in November, 2009.
STV viewers will then be able to vote for the person they think is the
Greatest ever
Scot. The winner will be revealed on STV on St Andrew's Day (November
30, 2009) and will be commemorated forever in a major new work of art.
Details
of the program, including Muir’s
nomination can be found on the STV website.
Long-time John Muir enthusiast Harold Wood, webmaster for the John Muir
Exhibit website, contributed the following argument to STV of why he thought
Muir should be in the running for the accolade of Greatest Scot:
“Scotland certainly produced great literary figures, scientists, political
leaders, philanthropists, etc. But it is not enough to evaluate these persons
by their
historical body of work alone, whether it is writing, poetry, art, or scientific
discovery.
To me, the important criteria is which of their ideas or actions
are
most relevant to our world today; how their ideas and actions are most
crucially needed today. Using that criteria, John Muir leads the list.
In an era
where our world civilization's survival is threatened by global warming,
where
technology threatens to overwhelm our daily lives so much that we spend
more
time on computers and cell phones than enjoying the sunset or a walk
in the
woods, John Muir's message is not only the most relevant, but the most
inspirational.
His message and actions continue to inspire hugely needed
groups like the one he founded in America, the Sierra
Club, and the John
Muir
Trust in Scotland, as they try to tell the world how important it is,
as Muir said,
to "climb the mountains" and to really understand the most fundamental
principle of ecology as Muir stated: "When we try to pick out anything
by
itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."
The
entire green
movement owes everything to John Muir, and the National
Parks that he
inspired as a system are now a global phenomenon that are increasingly
recognized as "America's
Best Idea."
Scotland's John Muir transcends Scotland - he is the ultimate figure of importance in the world today,
given
where our global civilization is at this crossroads in history.”
See Also:
John
Muir Recognized as One of Scotland's Greats - John Muir Trust (September
8, 2009)
- Craig Collinson, Producer of the Greatest Scot said: “Muir
seemed an obscure choice at first, but the more I read about him the
more I was drawn to him. His writings have become increasingly significant
over time and his message is more important today than ever.”
Stuart Brooks, Chief Executive of the John Muir Trust said: “We
are extremely proud that John Muir has been included as one of the Greatest
Scots. The Trust could not have chosen a more appropriate inspiration
than Muir, in his lifetime he was a great advocate for wild land.
He was far ahead of his time and he has left a tremendous legacy
for us and everybody who cares about the wild.”
The Greatest Scot will be named on St Andrews Day, Monday 30 November
2009.
Source: "John Muir - A Great Scott" - Newsletter of the Friends
of John Muir's Birthplace (November,
2009)
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