Perceptions Of The Grand Canyon: A Thesis On The Commodification Of Nature

Abstract

The way individuals interact with and perceive their connections to nature is a contested subject. The “commodification of nature” theory examines how commercialized systems are inherently linked to the commodification and capitalization of goods and services provided by natural spaces and systems. In this thesis, I examine the relationships between the way individuals perceive and experience natural spaces and the commodification of the goods and services those natural spaces provide. I do this by creating three “lenses”, the “Ground”, the “Air”, and the “River”, and analyzing the market for experiences that have been created through each of them within the Grand Canyon National Park. I find that the resulting “externalities” of these experiences have long lasting and damaging effects on the natural systems in the park and the surrounding communities.